SoCon

General News

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The Southern Conference

Know before

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- The Southern Conference hosted its annual SoCon Undergraduate Research Forum (SURF) this past weekend, bringing together students and cadets from across the league’s member institutions to showcase their academic excellence. Held each fall on the campus of Wofford College, SURF is a cornerstone of the SoCon’s broader academic and leadership programming. Facilitated by Wofford’s Dr. Ramón Galiñanes Jr., participants presented original research across STEM, Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences disciplines. “[SURF] means a lot to many of our cadets and students from across the conference as they develop as scholars and leaders,” said Galiñanes Jr. Founded in 2016, this year’s SURF marked the inaugural year in which presenters competed in both poster and oral presentation categories. The Southern Conference is proud to recognize the following presenters for their outstanding research contributions at this year’s SURF conference: Best Poster Presentation in STEM  First Place - Furman University Students: Laura Pallás Pérez, Mindy Isaman, and CJ Petty  Title: Sex Differences in Hedonic Feeding Influenced by the Gut Microbiome  Faculty Mentor: Dr. Linnea Freeman   Second Place (tied) - ETSU Student: Sidney Booher  Title: Effects of Pest-Induced Hemlock Mortality on Growth in Neighboring Trees  Faculty Mentor: Dr. Ben Lee    Second Place (tied)- Western Carolina Student: Vega Faust  Title: Investigating the Role of DILP8 in Drosophila Melanogaster Oogenesis   Faculty Mentor: Dr. Subhshri Sahu    Best Poster Presentation in Arts/Humanities/Social Sciences First Place- Furman University Students: Hannah McCoy and Molly Manwarren  Title: Cross-language Interactions in L2 Spanish Pronunciation  Faculty Mentor: Dr. Juan Garrido Pozú    Second Place – Furman University Student: Jason Levitt  Title: Through Our Lenses: A Photovoice Study on the Lived Experience of Community Members Experiencing Homelessness  Faculty Mentor: Dr. Anna Cass   Best Oral Presentation in STEM  First Place – Samford University Students: Caden Smith and Reeves Mileski Title: The Impact of Legalized Sports Betting on College Athletes’ Mental Health and Fan Engagement  Faculty Mentor: Dr. Joseph Pederson  Second Place – Samford University  Students: Davis Garrett and Finn Pearson  Title: Investment Portfolio Rebalancing  Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kevin Pan   Best Oral Presentation in Arts/Humanities/Social Sciences  First Place  Student: Wilton Grice – Wofford College Title: The Influence of Ground and Canopy Cover on Surface and Air Temperatures Along Urban Trails in Spartanburg, South Carolina.  Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Bradham   Wofford College   Second Place   Student: Hannah Dozier  - Wofford College Title: Quantifying and Assessing Microplastic Accumulation in Coastal SC Stormwater Pond  Faculty Mentors: Dr. Kaye Savage and Dr. Stefanie Whitmire (Clemson University)  </div>

surf

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference (SoCon) was recognized by The Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics for its ongoing commitment to the C.A.R.E. Model, Connecting Athletics Revenues with the Educational Model of College Sports. "We are deeply grateful to the Knight Commission for this continued recognition, which validates what we've always known to be true - when it comes to comprehensive support for student-athletes, 'It's All Here' in the Southern Conference,” said Commissioner Michael Cross. “Our member institutions consistently demonstrate an unwavering commitment to excellence that extends far beyond the playing field. Day in and day out, our schools provide exceptional educational opportunities, comprehensive health and safety programs, and holistic support systems that ensure our student-athletes don't just compete at the highest level - they graduate, they lead, and they succeed in life.  “This C.A.R.E. Champion designation reflects the extraordinary work our institutions do to nurture the complete development of more than 5,000 student-athletes across our conference, and we couldn't be prouder of their dedication to making the educational mission the cornerstone of everything we do.” The SoCon is a C.A.R.E. Champion for the second consecutive year and will receive a $10,000 continuation grant. The award signifies and supports the conference’s commitment to the C.A.R.E. Model principles. Those principles are: <ol class="list-number"><li
 class=""
 style="text-align: left;"
 value="1"
 >Transparency</li><li
 class=""
 style="text-align: left;"
 value="2"
 >Independent Oversight</li><li
 class=""
 style="text-align: left;"
 value="3"
 >Incentives for Core Values of Education, Gender Equity, and Opportunity</li><li
 class=""
 style="text-align: left;"
 value="4"
 >Financial Responsibility for Education, Health, Safety, and Well-Being</li></ol> The Southern Conference, headquartered in Spartanburg, S.C., includes ten member institutions across six states: The Citadel, East Tennessee State University, Furman University, Mercer University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Samford University, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Virginia Military Institute, Western Carolina University, and Wofford College. Tennessee Tech University will join the conference for the 2026-2027 season.</div>

SoCon C.A.R.E. Award

SoCon_Knight

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference (SoCon) has announced a ticketing partnership with vivenu, the enterprise platform for live entertainment tech. As the official ticketing partner, vivenu will power SoCon championships and marquee events with its industry-leading, fully customizable infrastructure. The partnership provides the Southern Conference with the tools to deliver an enhanced digital ticketing experience for fans while unlocking new revenue opportunities for the league and its member institutions. vivenu’s technology grants SoCon full ownership of fan data and provides advanced customization tools, including white-label branding, ensuring a conference-first experience across every event. “Our partnership with vivenu represents a leap forward for the Southern Conference’s approach to ticketing and fan engagement,” said SoCon Commissioner Michael Cross. “We saw firsthand the power and flexibility of vivenu’s platform during the Explore Asheville SoCon Wrestling Championships, where the digital experience elevated both operational efficiency and the fan journey. That success laid the foundation for a broader collaboration that now extends across all our championship events. We’re excited about the possibilities related to this expanded relationship and the benefits of bringing a modern, integrated ticketing experience to every corner of the conference.” For vivenu, the partnership underscores its role as the infrastructure behind a growing number of partners in the collegiate domain.  “Our shared success during the SoCon Wrestling Championship laid the foundation for this partnership,” said Darby M. Roggow, Director of Collegiate Partnerships at vivenu. “What began as a single event has grown into a broader collaboration that empowers the Conference with modern tools and infrastructure. Together, we will enable a better journey for fans, unlock deeper insights into engagement, and support sustained growth for SoCon Championships.” About The SoConThe Southern Conference, headquartered in Spartanburg, S.C., includes ten member institutions across six states: The Citadel, East Tennessee State University, Furman University, Mercer University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Samford University, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Virginia Military Institute, Western Carolina University, and Wofford College. Tennessee Tech University will join the conference for the 2026-2027 season. About vivenuevivenu is the technology leader in global event ticketing, offering a flexible and advanced ticketing platform tailored to organizers' brands, sales, and unique business needs. Leading organizers make the most of their ticketing with vivenu's full-service support and a platform designed for customization, reliability, and connectivity. Its white-label platform gives organizers worldwide full control over their ticketing experience and customer data, turning ticketing into a key business asset. With offices in North America and Europe, vivenu supports more than 80 U.S. colleges and is trusted by notable brands like City Winery, the Grammy Awards, Mesmerica, the National Finals Rodeo (NFR), the Special Olympics, Stanford Athletics, and many more. For more information, please visit <a href="https://www.vivenu.com">
 vivenu.com
 </a>.</div>

SoCon Partners with vivenu

SoCon_vivenu_Partnership

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference announced today that fan voting for the 2026 SoCon Hall of Fame is open and available online. Fans may visit <a href="https://votes.soconhallnominees.com/">
 votes.soconhallnominees.com
 </a> to submit their choices through Wednesday, September 18, at 5:00 pm ET. For supporting information on this year’s finalists, <a href="https://soconhallnominees.com/nominees_main">
 click here
 </a>. The collective fan vote will count as one vote in the final tabulation. The 2026 SoCon Hall of Fame class will be announced by the league office in October. The Southern Conference Hall of Fame was first approved in 2008, with the inaugural class inducted the following year in Spartanburg. Sports icons Arnold Palmer and Jerry West were part of that inaugural class, and many more legends have been enshrined in the years that followed. To be eligible for selection, athletes must have competed in a SoCon-sponsored sport for a minimum of two years and must be at least five years removed from attending the institution. Coaches and administrators must have been a part of the conference for a minimum of five years.</div>

HOF FAN VOTE.jpg

HOF_Fan_Vote

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – UNC Greensboro has been picked as the favorite to win the 2025 regular season title in the preseason Southern Conference men’s soccer poll. Ballots were submitted by the league's six head coaches. The Spartans earned four of the six first-place votes in the poll, edging defending champion Furman by only two points in a very tight vote. Both programs debuted in the Top Drawer Soccer preseason top 25 poll as well on Monday, with Furman ranked 20th and the Spartans ranked 23rd. The coaches also selected a preseason All-Conference team, and the Spartans led the way with seven on the team. Furman had five players earn preseason All-SoCon honors. UNC Greensboro finished the 2024 regular season tied atop the SoCon standings with ETSU, posting a 3-1-1 league mark, and earned the tournament’s top seed. The Spartans posted a strong 10-2-5 mark overall. Forward Arnaud Tattevin paced the UNCG contingent on this year’s preseason All-SoCon team, after earning first-team honors in 2024. The Reenes, France, native scored seven goals and dished off two assists last season in 13 starts. He was a second-team All-SoCon selection in 2023 and has 30 career points. Forward Enzo Dovlo, midfielders Issah Haruna and Magnus Kjoller, defenders Sami Lachekar and Mohammed Sumaila, and goalkeeper Seth Wilson also earned All-SoCon preseason recognition. Dovlo and Haruna were second-team All-SoCon choices last season, with Haruna also landing a spot on the All-Freshman Team and earning SoCon Freshman of the Year honors. Sumaila was an All-Freshman choice for the Spartans in 2024. The Paladins earned the SoCon’s automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament last November and went on to a first-round win at North Carolina. Furman went 2-1-2 in SoCon play in 2024 and posted a 9-4-6 ledger overall. Forwards Lloyd Wamu Snell and Wilfer Bustamante, midfielder Luke Hutzell, defender Ryan Wagner, and 2024 SoCon Goalkeeper of the Year Aaron Salinas were named to the preseason All-SoCon Team. Salinas was also a first-team All-SoCon selection last season. Snell, Bustamante, and Hutzell each earned second-team All-SoCon honors in 2024. Mercer (16 points), ETSU (13 points), Wofford (10 points), and VMI (5 points) rounded out the coaches’ preseason poll. Wofford midfielder Jakob Andersson, who has 17 career assists in three seasons, also earned a spot on the preseason All-SoCon team. The 2025 regular season begins for all six teams on Thursday, August 21. Furman will battle No. 8 UC San Diego in a top 20 clash that afternoon in Durham, N.C., and four of the six SoCon squads will play in their home stadiums. <div class="lexical-table-container">
 <table class="lexical-table" style="border-collapse: collapse;">
 <tbody>Season Opening Thursday Schedule (August 21)<tr class="lexical-table-row">
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 <a href="https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/2439c74f-68e6-40f3-91df-f7a80d80f863" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 VMI vs. Canisius
 </a> (ESPN+)
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 Lexington, Va.
 </td>
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 3:00 pm ET
 </td>
 
 </tr><tr class="lexical-table-row">
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 <a href="https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/0154942a-5736-4741-b557-706bc8727fe7" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 No. 20 Furman vs. UC San Diego
 </a> (ESPN+)
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 Durham, N.C.
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 3:30 pm ET
 </td>
 
 </tr><tr class="lexical-table-row">
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 <a href="https://www.gowasps.com/links/a6okau" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 ETSU vs. Emory & Henry
 </a> (FloSports)
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 Meadowview, Va.
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
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 6:00 pm ET
 </td>
 
 </tr><tr class="lexical-table-row">
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 <a href="https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/2de3823d-e658-462c-bc74-8a797939a23d" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 Mercer vs. Oglethorpe
 </a> (ESPN+)
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 Macon, Ga.
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 7:00 pm ET
 </td>
 
 </tr><tr class="lexical-table-row">
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 <a href="https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/3daf3573-4cb3-4889-8776-513b96d4ddc2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 No. 23 UNCG vs. Radford
 </a> (ESPN+)
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 Greensboro, N.C.
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 7:00 pm ET
 </td>
 
 </tr></tbody>
 </table>
 </div><div class="lexical-table-container">
 <table class="lexical-table" style="border-collapse: collapse;">
 <tbody>2025 SoCon Preseason Men’s Soccer Poll<tr class="lexical-table-row">
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 1.
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 UNC Greensboro (4)
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 24
 </td>
 
 </tr><tr class="lexical-table-row">
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 2.
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 Furman (2)
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 22
 </td>
 
 </tr><tr class="lexical-table-row">
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 3.
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 Mercer
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 16
 </td>
 
 </tr><tr class="lexical-table-row">
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 4.
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
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 ETSU
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 13
 </td>
 
 </tr><tr class="lexical-table-row">
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 5.
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
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 Wofford
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 10
 </td>
 
 </tr><tr class="lexical-table-row">
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 6.
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 VMI
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
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 >
 5
 </td>
 
 </tr></tbody>
 </table>
 </div>First-place votes in parentheses.<div class="lexical-table-container">
 <table class="lexical-table" style="border-collapse: collapse;">
 <tbody>2025 Preseason All-SoCon Men’s Soccer Team<tr class="lexical-table-row">
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
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 F
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 Arnaud Tattevin
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 UNC Greensboro
 </td>
 
 </tr><tr class="lexical-table-row">
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 F
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 Lloyd Wamu Snell
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 Furman
 </td>
 
 </tr><tr class="lexical-table-row">
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 F
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 Enzo Dovlo
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 UNC Greensboro
 </td>
 
 </tr><tr class="lexical-table-row">
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 F
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 Wilfer Bustamante
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 Furman
 </td>
 
 </tr><tr class="lexical-table-row">
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 MF
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 Luke Hutzell
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 Furman
 </td>
 
 </tr><tr class="lexical-table-row">
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 MF
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 Issah Haruna
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 UNC Greensboro
 </td>
 
 </tr><tr class="lexical-table-row">
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 MF
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 Magnus Kjoller
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 UNC Greensboro
 </td>
 
 </tr><tr class="lexical-table-row">
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 D
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 Jakob Andersson
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 Wofford
 </td>
 
 </tr><tr class="lexical-table-row">
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 D
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 Ryan Wagner
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 Furman
 </td>
 
 </tr><tr class="lexical-table-row">
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 D
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 Sami Lachekar
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 UNC Greensboro
 </td>
 
 </tr><tr class="lexical-table-row">
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
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 D
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 Mohammed Sumaila
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 UNC Greensboro
 </td>
 
 </tr><tr class="lexical-table-row">
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
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 GK
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 Aaron Salinas
 </td>
 <td
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 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
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 Furman
 </td>
 
 </tr><tr class="lexical-table-row">
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
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 GK
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 Seth Wilson
 </td>
 <td
 class="lexical-table-cell lexical-table-cell-header-0"
 
 
 style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 8px;"
 >
 UNC Greensboro
 </td>
 
 </tr></tbody>
 </table>
 </div></div>

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081825_MSOC_Preseason

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has officially selected Ally Cordes of Samford University as the NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Representative for the Southern Conference. In this role, Cordes will serve as the voice of SoCon student-athletes on the national stage. She will play a key role in shaping NCAA policies, advocating for student-athlete well-being, and strengthening communication between the NCAA and its member institutions. Her leadership and commitment to collegiate athletics distinguish her as an outstanding choice for this prestigious position. A native of Wyoming, Ohio, Cordes is a junior outside hitter for the Samford Bulldogs volleyball team. During the 2024 season, she started in 26 of the team’s 27 matches, averaging 2.58 kills per set and finishing third on the team with 250 total kills. Off the court, Cordes is an accounting major who has demonstrated academic excellence, earning Dean’s List honors twice during her time at Samford. In addition to her national responsibilities, Cordes will also serve as chairperson of the Southern Conference SAAC to continue advancing the mission of opportunity, the protection of student-athlete well-being, and positive student-athlete image. She brings valuable experience to the position, having been an active member of the Samford SAAC since 2023, where she most recently served as co-chair. "I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve as a representative for all of the athletes in the Southern Conference,” Cordes said. “I have been involved in SAAC at an institutional level since I was a freshman and have enjoyed every minute of it, and this opportunity for me to lead continues to amplify my passion for advocating for student-athletes and making their voices heard at every level of college athletics." The Southern Conference congratulates Ally Cordes on this well-earned honor and looks forward to the impact she will make throughout the coming year. </div>

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Ally Cordes

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference announced today that Tennessee Tech University will become a member effective July 1, 2026, and will begin competition for the 2026-27 academic year."Tennessee Tech’s addition reaffirms that ‘It’s All Here’ in the Southern Conference — the premier FCS athletics experience in the South,” said Southern Conference Commissioner Dr. Michael Cross. “Tech strengthens our geographic footprint, reinforces our Southern identity, and enters at a time of tremendous regional growth. This move builds rivalries, solves scheduling challenges, maximizes budgets, and enhances the student-athlete experience with competitive play and reasonable travel. Tech’s leadership shares the SoCon’s collaborative, forward-thinking vision, and their ongoing facility investments show a commitment to thriving in a changing athletics landscape. With Tennessee Tech, the SoCon delivers on its promise: championship-level FCS competition, academic excellence, and an unmatched student-athlete experience."The University’s strong commitment to academic excellence also complements the Southern Conference. As a Carnegie R2 research institution focused on preparing graduates for successful careers, Tech is an ideal fit for a league that values the complete student-athlete experience.”The Southern Conference's Council of Presidents voted unanimously to accept Tennessee Tech's application for membership on Wednesday morning. The decision marks the SoCon's first change in full membership since adding ETSU, Mercer, and VMI in 2014."Geographically, the states with SoCon teams fit the footprint of our students and alumni, so our move makes sense in those terms," said Tennessee Tech President Dr. Phil Oldham. "Beyond that, our students and fans will have a chance to be a part of new rivalries and new traditions that can create lifetime memories."College athletics is experiencing unprecedented change, and Tennessee Tech is committed to navigating those changes by putting our student-athletes and coaches in the best position to win and become successful leaders. Being accepted by the SoCon shows they recognized this commitment and the history of excellence at Tennessee Tech. We are honored to join the Southern Conference and compete for championships."The Golden Eagles participate in 14 sports currently sponsored by the SoCon and have won 27 conference team championships since 2000. Women's basketball won the OVC tournament title in 2025 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament – the program's 15th appearance since 1982. All told, Tennessee Tech has captured 85 conference titles and has seen 69 teams advance to NCAA postseason play since joining the OVC. The Golden Eagles captured a share of the OVC-Big South Football Association title in 2024 and are ranked in the preseason Top 25 heading into this season.“Tennessee Tech Athletics also brings championship-caliber strength to the SoCon,” added Cross. “Their recent success speaks for itself — a 2024 football championship and a preseason Top 25 ranking this year, a women’s basketball program ranked 22nd all-time in Division I wins, and consistent NCAA Tournament appearances across multiple sports. With an 88% graduation success rate and strong APR scores, Tech proves that winning and academic achievement go hand-in-hand — the Southern Conference standard."Located in Cookeville, Tennessee Tech saw its enrollment reach 10,511 students overall in the fall of 2024, with 9,187 undergraduates pursuing degrees in 10 colleges and schools. The top programs of study by enrollment are mechanical engineering, computer science, nursing, biology, and business management.Athletics facilities on campus include 16,500-seat Tucker Stadium, home of the 2024 OVC-Big South Champion football team, and the 9,852-seat Hooper Eblen Center, host of the Golden Eagles’ basketball and volleyball programs."Tennessee Tech University's addition to the Southern Conference strengthens our collective commitment to excellence both in the classroom and competitively,” said Western Carolina Chancellor Dr. Kelli Brown, Chair of the Council of Southern Conference Presidents. “As fellow institutions dedicated to developing well-rounded student-athletes, we welcome the Golden Eagles to a conference that has always prioritized academic achievement alongside athletic success. Tech's impressive track record and shared values make them a natural fit for the SoCon, and we look forward to the rivalries and collaborative opportunities this partnership will create."For more information on the Southern Conference, visit soconsports.com.About the Southern ConferenceThe Southern Conference, headquartered in Spartanburg, S.C., includes ten member institutions across six states: The Citadel, East Tennessee State University, Furman University, Mercer University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Samford University, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Virginia Military Institute, Western Carolina University, and Wofford College. About Tennessee Tech UniversityWith more than 225 programs of study and over 10,000 students, Tennessee Tech University is Cookeville, Tenn.'s nationally ranked and locally loved university, known for producing practical, ready-to-work graduates prepared to compete in a technologically driven world. Tennessee Tech is recognized as a "Best National University" by U.S. News & World Report and as the number one "Best Value" public university in the state by SmartAsset. Learn more at tntech.edu.</div>

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The Southern Conference Approves Tennessee Tech Membership 8/13/25

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference announced Tuesday that The Citadel’s Ali Ruffin, who competed in track & field and volleyball for the Bulldogs, and Western Carolina women’s soccer player Kirsten Hahn will be the conference’s nominees for the NCAA’s 2025 Woman of the Year award.The NCAA Woman of the Year program was established in 1991 and honors the academic achievements, athletics excellence, community service, and leadership of graduating female college athletes from all three divisions. To be eligible, a nominee must have competed and earned a varsity letter in an NCAA-sponsored sport and must have earned her undergraduate degree by Summer 2025.Eligible female student-athletes are nominated by their member school. Each conference office then reviews the nominations from its core member schools (and sponsored sports) and submits its conference nominee(s) to the NCAA.In track & field, Ruffin was the 2024 SoCon Champion in the javelin and was named conference field athlete of the week three times during her career. In 2025, she set the school record in the javelin with a toss of 48.54 meters at the conference championship in May.On the volleyball court, Ruffin is one of the most decorated players in Bulldogs history. In 2021, she won the Rayna Taylor Freshman of the Year award and was named to the all-tournament team after helping the squad become the first women’s sport to win a title in school history. Ruffin was named first-team all-conference in 2022 and 2023, along with being the SoCon Player of the Year in 2023. The Greenville, North Carolina, native was also an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention selection and AVCA East Coast All-Region Honorable Mention following the 2023 season. Ruffin was a second-team pick and an all-tournament team selection in 2024.Ruffin was one of the recipients of a 2025 Southern Conference Presidential Scholarship. She was on the dean’s list each year at The Citadel, in addition to being named a Chi Alpha Scholar and NCAA Division I All-Academic Athlete in 2024. Over the last five years, Ruffin has assisted the Ronald McDonald House, volunteered at volleyball clinics, and been a dog walker for Pitt County Animal Service.Hahn played in 78 games with 18 starts during her Catamount career, where she was a three-year captain on the squad. Hahn achieved the program’s fifth hat trick during the team’s home opener against UNC Asheville on Aug. 18, 2024, which led to her being named SoCon Offensive Player of the Week. In 2023, she helped Western Carolina win its third SoCon tournament title, with the other two coming in 2005 and 2008.The product of Burlington, Ontario, Canada, was a SAAC representative during her college career, serving as co-president during the 2024-25 school year. Hahn volunteered in a variety of ways as a Western Carolina student, including tutoring in Animal Physiology, reading to school children, and being a volunteer vet assistant. Hahn’s work has been published three times, including a 2021 spot in The Asheville Citizen-Times. In addition to being a member of the Western Carolina Dean’s List for four years, Hahn also received the 2025 Dorothy Hicks Scholarship from the SoCon following this past school year.In the fall, the NCAA Woman of the Year selection committee will identify the Top 30 nominees, 10 from each division, and from there, select three finalists from each division. From the nine finalists, the NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics then selects the NCAA Woman of the Year, who is named during the NCAA Convention.Also nominated: Megan Marvin (Furman Cross Country/Track & Field), Gracie Lynn Butler (Samford Volleyball), Marcelle Baez-Carlo (Chattanooga Volleyball), and Olivia Lipari (Chattanooga Softball)</div>

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The Citadel’s Ruffin and Western Carolina’s Hahn announced as SoCon Nominees for 2025 NCAA Woman of the Year 8/5/25

<div class="payload-richtext"><a href="https://soconsports.com/article/blt34a5a570fd55940e/">
 Previous SoCon Female Athlete of the Year Winners
 </a> | <a href="https://soconsports.com/article/blta96166b755cd4122/">
 Previous SoCon Male Athlete of the Year Winners
 </a> SPARTANBURG, S.C. –Furman golfer <a href="https://furmanpaladins.com/sports/womens-golf/roster/audrey-ryu/7186">
 Audrey Ryu
 </a> was named 2024-25 Southern Conference Female Athlete of the Year, and Paladin runner <a href="https://furmanpaladins.com/sports/track-and-field/roster/dylan-schubert/6218">
 Dylan Schubert
 </a> was named Bob Waters Southern Conference Male Athlete of the Year, the conference announced on Wednesday. The Athlete of the Year Awards are selected annually by the Southern Conference athletics directors and one media member representing each conference school. The award recognizes athletic achievement, academic performance, and civic involvement. Before the 1990-91 season, the award was selected exclusively by members of the Southern Conference Sports Media Association. Beginning in 1991-92, the men’s award was named after the late Bob Waters, who served as Western Carolina University’s head football coach from 1969-88 and led the Catamounts to the Division I-AA National Championship Game in 1983. This year’s Furman sweep is only the fifth in the history of the awards, but is the third sweep for the Paladins since 2021. Paladin golfer Anna Morgan, who won the Female Athlete of the Year three times, was joined by Cameron Ponder in 2021-22 and Jalen Slawson in 2022-23 to complete recent sweeps. ETSU’s Mister Jennings and Nicole Hopson swept the awards in 1990-91, and Mercer followed in 2017-18 with Will Bagrou and Kahlia Lawrence. Ryu is Furman’s sixth-straight SoCon Female Athlete of the Year. Her selection marks the 13th overall for the Paladins, and sixth for the Furman women’s golf program. Furman’s Caroline Peek became the first women’s golfer to win the award in 1992-93. The Dublin, Ohio, sophomore was exceptional in her second season on the collegiate links, winning the 2025 SoCon Championship at Solina Golf Club in West Columbia, S.C. She sizzled in the opening round, firing a tournament and course record score of 66. Ryu continued her strong play in the NCAA Norman Regional, carding rounds of 72, 70, and 71 to finish seventh and punch her ticket to the NCAA National Championship. Ryu made the cut at nationals and finished in a tie for 47th. Ryu’s efforts also led Furman to the 2025 SoCon Championship as a team. During the regular season, she was named SoCon Golfer of the Week four times and led the conference with a 72.60 stroke average through 35 rounds – earning All-Conference honors in the process. Ryu finished the season with five individual top 10 finishes. Off the course, Ryu’s talents and results are just as impressive. She is a concert pianist and carries a 4.00 cumulative GPA as a biology major, which helped her earn the 2025 SoCon Pinnacle Award at the women’s golf championship. In addition to WGCA All-America Scholar, SoCon Academic All-Conference, and the Furman Dean’s List, Ryu was honored as the sophomore recipient of the Winston Babb Memorial Award, given annually by Furman’s chapter of Omnicron Delta Kappa to the student in each class who demonstrates the most outstanding qualities of leadership, scholarship, and service to the University through academics and research, communications, or athletics. Ryu garnered 67 points in this year’s voting for SoCon Female Athlete of the Year, followed by Mercer’s Skye Ekes (volleyball) with 52 points and Western Carolina’s Jade Groen (women’s tennis) with 43 points. Schubert capped his career with one of the most prolific seasons in the history of Southern Conference Track & Field and Cross Country. The Loveland, Colo., senior earned All-America honors in both cross country and outdoor track this past season, finishing third at the NCAA Division I Cross Country National Championship in Verona, Wisc., and taking seventh in the 10,000m run at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field National Championships at storied Haywood Field in Eugene, Ore. Schubert also qualified for the NCAA Division I National Championships indoors in the 5,000m run. He was named NCAA Southeast Region Male Cross Country Athlete of the Year after his third-place finish, which was the highest ever for a Paladin competitor. His effort made Schubert the first three-time All-America honoree in Furman cross country history. In addition to numerous All-SoCon honors on the track, Schubert was named 2024 SoCon Cross Country Runner of the Year after leading the Paladins to their 12th-straight conference title and a top 20 team finish at nationals. Schubert also won the 5,000m title at the 2025 SoCon Outdoor Championships. During the regular season, he set new program records in the 5,000m run (indoor) and 10,000m run (outdoor). Schubert carried a 3.30 cumulative GPA in his major of health sciences and earned a spot on the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team, SoCon Academic All-Conference Team, and SoCon Honor Roll. He appeared as either the first or second choice on 16 of the 20 ballots cast in this year’s Male Athlete of the Year voting, picking up a dominant 81 points. UNC Greensboro’s Yoshiya Okawa (men’s soccer) was next with 46 points, and ETSU’s Quimari Peterson (men’s basketball) was third with 41 points. The voting panel saw 100 percent participation in 2024-25, with all 20 ballots submitted for each award.</div>

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Athletes Of The Year

<div class="payload-richtext"><a href="/api/media/file/1d94993c-3725-4376-a441-c5cd9af8ec91-Honor_Roll_SoCon_Final.xlsm">
 2024-25 SoCon Honor Roll
 </a> <a href="/api/media/file/180b9036-1e80-4a29-a31b-521d4ac460e2-SoCon_4_0_GPA.xlsm">
 2024-25 SoCon 4.0 GPA List
 </a> <a href="/api/media/file/de1d83e3-3dd3-4214-ad39-76a8eeb536f1-SoCon_Commissioner_Medal.xlsm">
 2024-25 SoCon Commissioner's Medal
 </a> <a href="/api/media/file/95f735f0-e0ac-485a-89c4-c3bbcacb3cc2-Academic_All-SoCon_Final.xlsm">
 2024-25 Spring Academic All-Conference Team
 </a> SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference announced its 2024-25 Academic Honor Roll and Spring Academic All-Conference Teams Wednesday, setting a record for honor roll achievement. The SoCon recognized 2,735 student-athletes on its 2024-25 Academic Honor Roll, the highest total since the Honor Roll originated in 1989. This year's total topped the previous high of 2,646 set in 2019-20 and includes 288 student-athletes who achieved a perfect 4.0 grade point average. The conference's 10 full members and nine associate members saw 846 student-athletes earn the Commissioner's Medal – awarded annually to those who attain a grade point average of 3.80 or higher throughout the year. "We are extremely proud to celebrate an epic year for academic achievement across the Southern Conference," SoCon Commissioner Michael Cross said. "With a record 2,735 student-athletes earning recognition on our Honor Roll, our member institutions continue to demonstrate their unwavering commitment to academic excellence. The 288 student-athletes who achieved perfect 4.00 GPAs and the 846 who earned Commissioner's Medals represent the pinnacle of what it means to be a scholar-athlete. These outstanding individuals, along with the dedicated faculty, academic advisors, and support staff who guide them, embody the values that make the SoCon a leader in combining athletic competition with educational achievement." The Academic Honor Roll was established to recognize the conference's academic success and consists of student-athletes who participated in conference-sponsored varsity sports and posted a 3.0 grade point average or higher for the academic year. The award differs from the Academic All-Conference award, which is determined by cumulative grade point average and involves a participation requirement. The Commissioner's Medal total is the seventh-best in conference history. Mercer sat atop the league with 389 members on this year's honor roll, followed by Wofford (314), ETSU (293), Furman (275), and Samford (273). The Bears also paced the SoCon with 61 student-athletes achieving a 4.0 grade point average, and with 125 earning the Commissioner's Medal. Of its 10 full members, the SoCon had six schools secure at least 250 spots on the honor roll, and eight schools had at least 200 honorees. The 2024-25 Spring Academic All-Conference Teams featured 507 student-athletes in 14 sports – totaling 602 spots. To qualify for the Academic All-Conference Team, student-athletes must have a 3.30 or higher cumulative grade point average after the spring semester and participate in at least 50 percent of their team's competitions during the most recent season. The total marks the fourth time in the past five spring semesters that at least 600 student-athletes have been honored. Samford led the way this spring with 88 Academic All-SoCon selections. Wofford was a close second with 83 student-athletes on the team, and UNC Greensboro followed in third with 72 honorees. Six of the conference's 10 full members had at least 50 student-athletes earn a spot on the team. The Spring Academic All-Conference Team had 30 student-athletes with a perfect 4.00 cumulative GPA. Samford led that group with six, followed by Chattanooga (5), Furman (4), and UNC Greensboro (4). The 602 selections are the fourth-most in the history of the Spring Academic All-Conference Team.<a href="https://nextgen.soconsports.com/about/academics/honor-roll/">
 SoCon Honor Roll Archive
 </a><a href="https://soconsports.com/about/academics/all-academic-teams/">
 SoCon Academic All-Conference Team Archive
 </a></div>

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SoCon Academic Honors 2024-25

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Newton Named Chair Of DI Men’s Basketball Committee For 2026-27 Season 7/11/25

SoCon Moments '24-'25

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference announced today the hiring of Molly E. Bachand as Assistant Commissioner for Administration and Finance. Bachand brings more than 15 years of comprehensive experience in collegiate athletics administration, with particular expertise in budget management, operations oversight, and strategic planning. "We are pleased to welcome Molly to The Southern Conference team," said Southern Conference Commissioner Michael Cross, "Her extensive background in athletic administration, combined with her proven track record of managing complex budgets and operations, makes her an ideal addition to our leadership team. Molly's experience spans multiple levels of Division I athletics, and her collaborative approach will be invaluable as we continue to support our member institutions." Bachand joins the SoCon after serving as Director of Men's Basketball Administration at Coastal Carolina University since June 2024, where she managed comprehensive administrative responsibilities including budget oversight, travel coordination, and program operations. Prior to her role at Coastal Carolina, she spent three years as Director of Men's Basketball Operations at Western Carolina University, where she successfully managed operating and development budgets while serving as a liaison between multiple departments. Her career includes significant experience at Wake Forest University, where she served as Director of Equipment Services for Basketball from 2016-2020, and at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she progressed from Assistant Equipment Manager to Director of Equipment Operations, ultimately managing a $300,000 budget across 18 varsity sports. "I am excited to begin this new chapter at The Southern Conference; I am very thankful to my former colleagues across multiple campuses who have helped guide me to get to this point in my career,” said Bachand, “I look forward to contributing to the continued success of such a prestigious conference and collaborating with the outstanding conference office team. The opportunity to work at the conference level and support our member institutions in achieving their goals and continuing to build our It's All Here mission is something I am very grateful for."   Bachand holds a Bachelor of Science in Education with a concentration in Sports and Fitness Management from the University of Kansas, where she also gained valuable experience as a student manager for the men's basketball program.  Throughout her career, Bachand has demonstrated exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to streamline processes while managing multiple priorities in fast-paced environments. Her experience spans budget management, travel coordination, compliance oversight, vendor relations, and staff supervision. In her new role, Bachand will be responsible for overseeing administrative and financial operations for the SoCon, working closely with member institutions to ensure efficient and effective conference operations.The Southern Conference, founded in 1921, is among the nation's oldest collegiate athletic conferences. The league sponsors 20 championship sports and consists of 10 member institutions throughout the Southeast. </div>

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The Southern Conference Names Molly Bachand Assistant Commissioner for Administration and Finance

<div class="payload-richtext">The Southern Conference has developed a second assessment of the NCAA's proposed Division I governance restructuring and submitted it to the NCAA working group following their request for feedback. Commissioner Michael Cross is sharing the document publicly to foster dialogue among conference leaders, athletic directors, and university presidents as the reform process moves forward.  "Governance reform requires the willingness to decentralize and narrow national authority to truly essential functions, while empowering conferences and institutions to govern themselves within their own philosophies and resources," said Cross.  The SoCon's assessment highlights several positive elements in the proposal, including sport-specific oversight committees as favorable progress towards true decentralization. The assessment identifies critical concerns regarding assignment of committee seats based on success metrics and proposes abandoning committees voting to decide who receives a bid to the NCAA championships and instead adopting a selection process using solely results-based data as occurs in Division I hockey. Additional recommendations include the need for business expertise on sport committees and restoring single sport Division I eligibility.   "These recommendations suggest a path forward that builds upon the good work of the working group,” said Cross. “By incorporating these recommendations, the working group can develop a governance model that is flexible, adaptable, defensible, accessible, and straightforward and can adapt to a complex legal and competitive landscape." The full assessment is available <a href="/api/media/file/7fa641de-07ce-46b3-bb5f-b308c75b6edb-Assessment_of_NCAA_Division_I_Sport_Committee_Proposals.pdf">
 here
 </a> and outlines specific recommendations to meet the stated goals that Division I governance be flexible, adaptable, defensible, accessible, and straightforward.   </div>

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MC Governance Part 2

<div class="payload-richtext">HILTON HEAD, S.C. – With the completion of the spring seasons of league competition, ETSU’s men’s and Samford’s women’s programs have won the races for the Southern Conference’s all-sport trophies. The winners were honored at the league’s Honors Reception on Wednesday evening at the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.The Commissioner’s and Germann cups are awarded annually to the Southern Conference schools fielding the league’s best all-around men’s and women’s sports programs, respectively. Scoring is conducted on a percentage basis, with only the top seven sports for each school counting toward its season total. The SoCon sponsors 20 total sports, with the league’s three co-ed rifle teams counting toward the Commissioner’s Cup standings and the two women’s rifle teams counting toward the Germann Cup.Each sport is worth 10 points, with each spot in the standings given equal measure relative to how many schools sponsor that particular sport. For sports that determine a regular-season champion, a two-point bonus is awarded for winning the league tournament. Each school’s total for the year is divided by 70, the maximum number of points possible when counting seven sports, to find its percentage.The Buccaneers men won the Commissioner’s Cup for the seventh time, while Bulldogs women claimed their fifth straight and seventh overall. ETSU claimed four titles in 2024-25, with those coming in the regular season for men’s soccer and baseball along with tournament crowns in men’s golf and baseball. Samford won the women’s indoor and outdoor track & field championships as well as the women’s soccer tournament.ETSU’s men finished with a total of 60.89 points, which is good for an .870 percentage. Samford followed closely behind with 59.56 points and a .851 percentage. The Bulldogs claimed tournament titles in indoor and outdoor track & field and men’s tennis.Western Carolina was third, ending the year with 49.71 points and an .710 percentage. The Catamounts were led by second-place finishes in football and cross country. Furman was fourth with 47.64 points and a .681 percentage. The Paladins took home the cross country title and the men’s soccer tournament crown.Coming in fifth was UNCG with 43.85 points and a .626 percentage. The Spartans were the regular season co-champion with ETSU in men’s soccer. Chattanooga was sixth with 41.83 points and a .598 percentage, fueled by a regular season title in men’s basketball.Mercer was seventh at .546, The Citadel came in eighth (.451), followed by VMI (.412) and Wofford (.399).In the Germann Cup race, Samford’s indoor and outdoor track & field crowns were the 10th and sixth consecutive wins, respectively. The women’s soccer championship was the fourth in six seasons. The Bulldogs finished with 59.17 points and a .845 percentage.Since joining the SoCon in 2008-09, Samford has finished in the top two of the Germann Cup standings 14 of a possible 16 times and in the top four each year in the league.Furman finished second with 57.44 points and an .821 percentage. The Paladins won the cross country and women’s golf championships, along with regular season and tournament crowns in women’s tennis. Furman also had third place finishes in women’s soccer and indoor track & field.Wofford was third with 50.76 points and a .725 percentage. The Terriers won the SoCon Volleyball Championship for the second straight season this year. Chattanooga came in fourth with 50.39 points and a .720 percentage. The Mocs won the regular season title in softball.ETSU completed the year in fifth with a .678 percentage. Mercer (.675), who was the regular season champion in volleyball, was sixth and Western Carolina (.631), the women’s soccer regular season champ, finished seventh.UNCG was eighth with .547, following women’s basketball regular season and tournament championships. VMI (.250) and The Citadel (.238) rounded out the standings.The Commissioner’s Cup was inaugurated in 1970 and the Germann Cup was first awarded in 1987. The latter is named for former SoCon Commissioner Ken Germann, who served as commissioner of the Southern Conference from 1974-86 and spearheaded the effort to introduce women’s athletics to the league.The 2024-25 academic year saw a winner of the Commissioner’s Cup crowned for the 55th time and the Germann Cup awarded for the 38th time. The cups were not awarded in 2019-20 due to the coronavirus pandemic.Seven schools have won the Commissioner’s Cup in its history, including current members ETSU (2024-25, 2021-22, 2018-19, 2017-18, 2016-17, 2015-16 and 1982-83), Furman (2020-21 and 1990-91), Chattanooga (2014-15 and 2004-05) and Samford (2022-23 and 2023-24).Five schools have won the Germann Cup. Among current schools, Furman owns a league-best 17, including 12 straight from 1992-2004 and five of six from 2013-14 to 2018-19. Samford has won seven (2024-25, 2023-24, 2022-23, 2021-22, 2020-21, 2014-15 and 2009-10) and Chattanooga won in 2007-08.Commissioner's Cup(Men’s athletics – final standings)1. ETSU                       .8702. Samford                    .8513. Western Carolina       .7104. Furman                     .6815. UNCG                      .6266. Chattanooga             .5987. Mercer                      .5468. The Citadel               .4519. VMI                          .41210. Wofford                   .399Germann Cup(Women’s athletics – final standings)1. Samford                    .8452. Furman                     .8213. Wofford                    .7254. Chattanooga             .7205. ETSU                       .6786. Mercer                      .6757. Western Carolina       .6318. UNCG                      .5479. VMI                          .25010. The Citadel             .238</div>

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Southern Conference

ETSU Buccaneers

East Tennessee State University

Samford Bulldogs

Samford University

ETSU men, Samford women claim Southern Conference all-sports races 5/29/25

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Sports Video Group (SVG), in partnership with the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announced the finalists for the 2025 College Sports Media Awards.  “For the second consecutive year, the Southern Conference’s creative team has been acknowledged by SVG for their exceptional work, and our recognition as a finalist in three categories speaks volumes about the consistent quality we strive to deliver,” said SoCon Commissioner Michael Cross. The SoCon submitted a collective of projects to be considered in the collegiate conferences and governing bodies subsection. The following SoCon productions were named 2025 finalists:  For Outstanding Special Feature:  -<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4rxZkCwt2A">
 Road to Recovery: A Road Trip to Remember
 </a>  -<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2b7khwvsHA">
 Road to Recovery: Asheville is Back!
 </a>  For Outstanding Cinematic Recap:  -<a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18vPwMdPkm/">
 SoCon Moments 2023-24
 </a> For Outstanding Social Media Video:  -<a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_IwYeHOvI_/">
 Countdown to Kickoff: WCU
 </a>  -<a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBjm-F3Rm7J/">
 SoCon Football Game of the Week Hype Video: Western Carolina vs. Mercer 
 </a> The SoCon’s naming as a finalist in multiple categories displays excellence in creativity, ingenuity, and savvy among college video departments.  “Communicating our stories in a meaningful way is vital to the SoCon. Our tradition-rich league has incredible geography, academics, elite athletics, and collegiality - when it comes to the complete collegiate experience, in the Southern Conference, “It's All Here,” Cross said. ‘I’m incredibly proud of our talented staff who showcase the compelling narratives that make our conference special. Their dedication to producing high-quality content has once again placed us among the nation's elite.” The Southern Conference digital team emphasized content highlighting the recovery efforts in Asheville, North Carolina following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. The league is dedicated to the areas in and around the conference’s footprint, producing high-level digital storytelling that centralizes SoCon communities as a part of the #itsallhere messaging.  Winners will be announced at the SVG College Sports Media Awards on May 28.  </div>

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SVG Awards

<div class="payload-richtext">The Southern Conference has submitted a detailed assessment of the NCAA's proposed Division I governance restructuring to the NCAA working group following their request for member feedback. Commissioner Michael Cross is sharing this document publicly to foster dialogue among conference leaders, athletic directors, and university presidents as the reform process moves forward. "While the NCAA's governance reform proposal represents a meaningful first step, it requires significant modifications to achieve its stated goals of creating a flexible, adaptable, and legally defensible structure," said Commissioner Michael Cross. "This first draft shows appropriate seriousness and thoughtfulness, but we need bolder action that truly decentralizes decision-making. By pushing eligibility, financial aid, and other key regulatory areas to conferences, we can better protect the NCAA from ongoing legal challenges while serving the diverse needs of all Division I institutions." The SoCon's assessment highlights several positive elements in the proposal, including streamlined committee structures and protected championship access. However, it identifies critical concerns including: <ul class="list-bullet"><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="1"
 >Concentration of voting power without examining related financial liability </li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="2"
 >Continued legal vulnerability through national eligibility and financial aid standards </li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="3"
 >Representation imbalances affecting non-Autonomy conferences </li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="4"
 >Insufficient decentralization despite stated goals </li></ul>"With limited information available and the process moving rapidly, we felt it crucial to share our analysis publicly," added Commissioner Cross. "All Division I institutions deserve a governance model that provides genuine regulatory freedom while maintaining the core values of college athletics. Time is short for meaningful deliberation, and transparent dialogue is essential." The full assessment is available <a href="/api/media/file/90c85f03-b28a-40c2-bd06-96cc93ff0e85-Assessment_of_the_first_draft_of_NCAA_Division_I_Governance_Reform_Final.pdf">
 here
 </a> and outlines specific recommendations to meet the stated goals that Division I governance be flexible, adaptable, defensible, accessible, and straightforward.  </div>

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SoCon Commissioner Releases Comprehensive Review of NCAA Division I Governance Proposal

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference Commissioner Michael Cross announced today that Anna Brinkman has been promoted to Senior Woman Administrator (SWA), effective immediately, and is the youngest SWA among Division I conferences. Brinkman most recently served as the Assistant Director of Communications for the conference since July 2024. "Anna has demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, and a deep understanding of collegiate athletics during her time with the Southern Conference," said Cross. "As we considered the rapid evolution of college athletics and the important responsibilities the SWA has in college athletics, her experience both on campus and in the conference office were notable.  Anna’s day-to-day responsibilities in communications, sports information, and student-athlete development allowed her to emerge as the ideal person to serve as our Senior Woman Administrator." As SWA, Brinkman will play a critical role in promoting women's athletics programs across the conference and will have day-to-day oversight and championships management for select sports including volleyball, women’s basketball and softball. Brinkman joined the Southern Conference in July 2023 and advanced quickly to Assistant Director of Communications. In this role, she was the primary communications point of contact for half of SoCon’s sports, managed the conference's awards processes for 10 different sports and academic honors, and maintained comprehensive records. Prior to joining the Southern Conference, Brinkman gained valuable experience as an intern and statistician with Furman University's Sports Information Department from 2015 through 2023, where she covered many varied programs and worked three NCAA Basketball Tournaments (2017, 2022, 2023). A 2023 graduate of Furman with a Bachelor of Arts in Health Science, Brinkman received multiple honors during her academic career, including the Harry B. Shucker Integrity Award and recognition for excellence in peer mentorship. The Southern Conference, founded in 1921, is one of the nation's oldest collegiate athletic associations. The conference is comprised of ten member institutions across the southeastern United States, competing in 20 varsity sports.</div>

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SOUTHERN CONFERENCE NAMES ANNA BRINKMAN AS SENIOR WOMAN ADMINISTRATOR

ETSU Volleyball

Women's Volleyball

set for our last weekend of road SoCon action 🙌

#GoBucs | #BucTough😤 https://t.co/rxO1a6033c

Tweet 1986576592970137889

Chattanooga Football

Football

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲 🎂🎁🎉

➡️ @Jermaine_s20 

🔗 https://t.co/0Yzp3XS9S5

#GoMocsFB x #ClimbTheMtn https://t.co/e6MSpCfUsa

Tweet 1986576304985022595

VMI Basketball

Men’s Basketball

Wheels up in 30🛫

#TheHUNT | #RahVaMil https://t.co/t9spBaZiyV

Tweet 1986576206872158448

Mercer Men's Basketball

Roll the highlights from the home opener 🎥

#GoBears https://t.co/NE51BEC3KY

Tweet 1986575652992999728

ETSU WBB

Women’s Basketball

Bucs vs. No. 8 Lady Vols on deck 🙌

#GoBucs | #FaithfulForForty https://t.co/dTh7Bu0IwI

Tweet 1986574593650233373

Furman Paladins

📍 On Site

#FUAllTheTime | #JustUs https://t.co/A3mM4ZbJOX

Tweet 1986573993445630358

Furman Women's Basketball

Tonight's Furman Starting Lineup! https://t.co/6kZrmcKp6s

Tweet 1986572144348708893

UNCG Men's Soccer

Men’s Soccer

Also on the SoCon All-Conference Second Team are Arnaud Tattevin and Steven Hernandez! 😤

#letsgoG https://t.co/d6wJd3MYKT

Tweet 1986570074887721223

Western Carolina WBB

Here's how your Catamounts will take the court in our season opener vs Virginia University of Lynchburg!

#CatamountCountry https://t.co/ukM1Yz0fwH

Tweet 1986569589241577510

Samford Football

𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 &amp; 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 ‼️ 

@JacksonBeatty3 
@CrispKelton 
@JakeGar_2406 
@MaddoxMcKim2 

#HatchAttack | #AllForSAMford https://t.co/INNJ7dLlqb

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