Head coaches, student-athletes, administrators and local and national media attended the event, which served as the kick-off to the 2012 Southern Conference football season.

"It's an honor that both the media and coaches feel this strongly about our team," Georgia Southern head coach Jeff Monken said. "However, this really doesn't mean anything to us at this point. What's important is how we play throughout the year and where we finish at the end. The preseason rankings don't mean much, but the end-of-the-season rankings mean a lot. We want to finish No. 1, and that's going to be our focus throughout the year."

Wofford running back Eric Breitenstein, the 2011 Offensive Player of the Year, was named the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. The senior enters 2012 needing just 368 yards to break into the top 10 of the league's all-time rushing list.

"This is a huge honor, but I have to just play my game," Breitenstein said. "It's easy to get caught up in things like that, but when it comes down to it, you just have to go out and play football. Honestly, I owe any success that I have to my offensive line and to the other guys blocking downfield. I'm a product of the system. Wofford College likes to run the football, and I was lucky enough to be a running back."

Appalachian State led all schools with 10 all-conference honorees. The Mountaineers finished a close second behind Georgia Southern in the SoCon Football Preseason Coaches' poll and third in the media poll. Wofford edged out Appalachian State for second in the media poll, while being picked to finish third in the preseason coaches' poll.