Auburn Montgomery Accepts Invitation to Gulf South Conference
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (aumathletics.com) — Auburn University at Montgomery Chancellor Dr. John G. Veres III and Gulf South Conference Commissioner Matt Wilson announced Thursday that the university has been extended, and accepted, a membership invitation to join the GSC as a member, beginning in the 2017-18 year.
“Auburn University at Montgomery is proud to become a member of the Gulf South Conference,” said Veres. “Along with the ability to renew geographic rivalries, the Gulf South and Auburn Montgomery share a strategic focus on balancing high academic achievement with a high level of athletic competition, a characteristic beneficial to our student athletes and their collegiate experience. We are excited about the opportunity to join the premier conference at the Division II level.”
The announcement will be formally made this afternoon at a press conference on AUM’s campus. The event will be held in the Taylor Center, room 223, at 2 p.m. Joining Veres to make the announcement will be Wilson from the Gulf South Conference and AUM Director of Athletics Jim Herlihy. The press conference is open to the public.
AUM, as well as the University of Montevallo, earned unanimous support from the GSC Board of Directors at its summer meetings last week. The addition of the Warhawks and Falcons will give the conference 14 full-time members for the 2017-18 year.
“The Gulf South Conference proudly adds AUM and Montevallo to our membership,” Wilson said. “They are natural additions bringing two more dynamic institutions with a strong commitment to Division II athletics and the GSC’s vision to compete for regional and national championships, graduate student-athletes at a higher percentage than the overall student body and impact our communities today and tomorrow.”
Located in Birmingham, Ala., the Gulf South Conference is a charter member of NCAA Division II dating back to its creation in the summer of 1970. The league is currently composed of 12 active members and four affiliate members located in six states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee).
Current official members include: University of Alabama in Huntsville, Christian Brothers University (Memphis, Tenn.), Delta State University (Cleveland, Miss.), Lee University (Cleveland, Tenn.), Mississippi College (Clinton, Miss.), University of North Alabama (Florence, Ala.), Shorter University (Rome, Ga.), Union University (Jackson, Tenn.), Valdosta State University (Valdosta, Ga.), University of West Alabama (Livingston, Ala.), University of West Florida (Pensacola, Fla.) and University of West Georgia (Carrollton, Ga.). GSC teams have claimed 50 NCAA Division II national championships in 13 sports.
AUM is completing its first year of the three-year NCAA Division II membership process. AUM is scheduled to become a fully-approved NCAA member in 2018-19. The Warhawks currently sponsor 10 varsity sports, with the addition of volleyball beginning in 2017.
“The Gulf South Conference will provide the next great challenge in the growth of AUM athletics,” said Herlihy. “The GSC is a great fit with like-minded institutions with a strong tradition of academic and athletic excellence. We are excited to rekindle past rivalries with the other in-state institutions and many other former rivals.”
Auburn University at Montgomery is ranked among the best colleges in the Southeast by The Princeton Review. Consistently chosen as the best university in the area, Auburn Montgomery provides students with detailed knowledge and hands-on, practical experience, often from professionals in the field. Learn more about Auburn University at Montgomery at www.aum.edu.
