SoCon

General News

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, SC – The Southern Conference (SoCon) and Ingles Markets announced today a multi-year extension to one of the longest running corporate partnerships in the league’s history. The extension reinforces a shared commitment to supporting student-athletes, enhancing championship experiences and growing the visibility of Southern Conference athletics across the region. “We are proud to extend our partnership with Ingles Markets, a brand that is synonymous with many SoCon Championships,” said SoCon Commissioner Michael Cross.  “The vision and dedication of Melissa Leavell make this collaboration exceptionally strong, and we truly appreciate the continued willingness to invest in our student-athletes and institutions.  We love working with Ingles because their commitment to this region is as genuine as their "low prices, love the savings" promise.  ‘It's all here!’ in the Southern Conference and the support Ingles provides continues to advance the SoCon as an exceptional mid-major conference.” The Southern Conference’s partnership with Ingles Markets originated in 2014. With the extension in place, Ingles will remain an Official Corporate Partner of the SoCon with category exclusivity in grocery, gas, and pharmacy – while also maintaining Ingles’ role as the title sponsor of the annual Ingles Southern Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships in Asheville, NC. Ingles has been the title sponsor of the league’s premier event since 2018. Ingles’ branding and storytelling will continue to be featured across broadcast, digital, in-venue, and community activations connected to SoCon events, along with marketing initiatives and fan engagement programs throughout the conference footprint. The collaboration will further support student-athlete recognition programs, conference awards, and special initiatives tied to SoCon basketball and championship events. “Our partnership with The Southern Conference is the centerpiece for our commitment to community through college athletics,” said Ingles Markets Advertising Director Melissa Leavell. “The Ingles Southern Conference Basketball Championship is one of Asheville’s premier events, bringing the top athletic ability to the court and highlighting our incredible hometown. We are so happy to extend our relationship well into the future with the Southern Conference.” About The Southern Conference 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 SoCon as a full member for the 2026-27 season.  About Ingles Markets, Incorporated <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ingles-markets.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cmrabb%40socon.org%7C617ad2aadd954e26161108de88f65931%7C2787eec415e5439ea10f0dc9f4616ae4%7C0%7C0%7C639098788888756269%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Adx8miTGtvslKwEe3KzgRCQW9SEWd%2FtOpWqb2jbBKck%3D&reserved=0">
 Ingles Markets, Incorporated
 </a> is a leading grocer with operations in six southeastern states. Headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina, the Company operates 197 supermarkets. At December 27, 2025, three of the four stores temporarily closed due to damage sustained in Hurricane Helene remained closed, but are expected to reopen during 2026 and 2027. In conjunction with its supermarket operations, the Company operates neighborhood shopping centers, most of which contain an Ingles supermarket. The Company also owns a fluid dairy facility that supplies Ingles supermarkets and unaffiliated customers. To learn more about Ingles Markets visit <a href="https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ingles-markets.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cmrabb%40socon.org%7C617ad2aadd954e26161108de88f65931%7C2787eec415e5439ea10f0dc9f4616ae4%7C0%7C0%7C639098788889046782%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=YE%2F1D0TH4rx5jOCABIENcEn9rD33VN%2FbNWI3IpAHKso%3D&reserved=0">
 ingles-markets.com
 </a></div>

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The Southern Conference

Ingles_SoCon_Partnership

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – [March 9, 2026] – The Southern Conference (SoCon) and ESPN announced today a multi-year extension of their media rights agreement, continuing a longstanding relationship that will provide unprecedented national linear and digital exposure for SoCon athletics across ESPN’s industry-leading networks through the 2031-32 academic year. The extended agreement represents an expanded commitment by ESPN, anchored by a robust slate of regular-season and championship broadcasts across ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU, along with comprehensive digital distribution through ESPN’s direct-to-consumer services. The 2026 Ingles SoCon Men’s Basketball Championship Game between ETSU and Furman airs Monday night at 7:00 pm on ESPN. Full BreakdownBeginning in the 2026-27 academic year, the SoCon will feature a record number of national regular-season and conference championship events on ESPN’s linear networks, including ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU.  Men’s basketball coverage will see notable expansion under the agreement. The Ingles Southern Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship game will be telecast on ESPN for multiple years of the deal, with the semifinal contests presented across ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU. For the first time, the league is also guaranteed regular-season men’s basketball games on ESPN or ESPN2 and the Ingles Southern Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament Championship is assured to air on ESPNU annually. Beyond linear coverage, the agreement ensures a minimum of 750 live SoCon events annually across ESPN digital platforms. In addition to all SoCon football and basketball home games, ESPN platforms will continue to stream hundreds of contests in major Olympic sports, including championship coverage for men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball, indoor and outdoor track and field, wrestling, softball, and baseball, as well as early rounds of the men’s and women’s basketball championships.  “This six-year extension with ESPN enhances national exposure opportunities for our member institutions, reinforcing ESPN’s confidence in Southern Conference athletics and our commitment to excellence,” said SoCon Commissioner Michael Cross. “The enhanced agreement ensures our student-athletes are featured on ESPN’s industry leading digital and linear networks, offering SoCon athletics a national home where ‘It’s All Here.’ We are grateful to Mallory Kenny and Nick Dawson at ESPN for their continued support and vision, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration into the next decade.” The extension reinforces ESPN+ as the primary digital home for SoCon regular-season and championship content, offering fans consistent, centralized access to live events throughout the academic year. The agreement aligns with ESPN’s recently launched direct-to-consumer service and enhanced ESPN App, which brings ESPN’s full suite of networks and services together in one destination.  Through the ESPN App, fans can access SoCon events alongside features such as personalized content feeds, multiview viewing options, real-time statistics, and on-demand replays, further modernizing the college sports viewing experience. “ESPN is pleased to extend our long‑standing relationship with the Southern Conference,” said Mallory Kenny, ESPN Director of Programming & Acquisitions. “This updated agreement reaffirms ESPN’s commitment to highlighting the achievements of SoCon student‑athletes and its member institutions, and to ensuring their stories continue to reach a broad audience across our networks. For more than two decades, we have worked closely with the conference and we look forward to building on that history in the years ahead.” A Comprehensive Digital Home for FansFor SoCon fans, the extension ensures a familiar and reliable home for conference athletics events while expanding how, where, and when games can be consumed as ESPN continues to invest in fan-focused innovation. This structure ensures conference content can be found in one familiar place, with flexible options for any choice of how to watch. Additional details regarding schedules, network designations, and production will be announced closer to the start of each season. The SoCon retained TrailRunner Sports to assist with negotiating its deal with ESPN. 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. Tennessee Tech University will join the SoCon as a full member July 1, 2027. All of ESPN. All in One Place.ESPN offers its full suite of networks and services directly to fans on the ESPN App, providing more choice, flexibility and access to all of ESPN, including more than 47,000 live events per year, on-demand replays, industry-leading studio shows and original programming, and more. The ESPN App gives fans a unique viewing experience that includes multiview and synchronized two-screen viewing options, swipe-able vertical video and a personalized SportsCenter For You, as well as integrated game stats, ESPN Fantasy sports, betting odds and information from DraftKings, sports merchandise, and more. These features are available to all fans who watch on the ESPN App on mobile and connected TV devices, whether they subscribe directly or through a pay TV package. Bundling options available for fans include a limited time offer for the ESPN DTC Unlimited plan with Disney+ and Hulu for $29.99/month for the first 12 months. For more visit <a href="https://plus.espn.com/">
 stream.espn.com
 </a></div>

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<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, SC – An exciting, fun-filled week in early March is only one month away and tickets for a variety of events for SoCon Week in Asheville are available for purchase online. The activities begin on Thursday, March 5, with the Ingles SoCon Basketball Championships beginning that morning at Harrah’s Cherokee Center-Asheville. Tickets are available through <a href="https://www.ticketmaster.com/southern-conference-tournament-tickets/artist/1379559">
 Ticketmaster.com
 </a>, the iHeart Media Asheville Box Office at Harrah's Cherokee Center-Asheville, and the ticket offices of participating SoCon member institutions. The SoCon Hall of Fame Ceremony at the SoCon Soiree, presented by Explore Asheville, is also set for Thursday, March 5, at Battery Park Hall. Doors open at 7:00 pm and tickets can <a href="https://vivenu.soconsports.com/event/2026-socon-legacy-soiree-presented-by-explore-as-836gjw">
 be purchased here
 </a>. The 2026 Hall of Fame Class features Georgia Southern football coach Paul Johnson (1997-2001), The Citadel football and longtime pro football broadcaster Paul Maguire (1957-1959), Davidson men’s basketball coach Bob McKillop (1992-2014), Furman women’s basketball standout and coach Jackie Smith Carson (1996-2000, 2010-2023), and App State men’s soccer legend – who remains the all-time scoring leader in NCAA Division I soccer history – Thompson Usiyan (1977-1980). The iconic 2007 App State football team will also be inducted. The 2026 SoCon Business Leader Forum, presented by Explore Asheville, is March 6, at 3:00 pm inside Battery Park Hall and this year’s speaker holds a special place in the hearts of Western North Carolina. Naismith Hall of Famer and native son Roy Williams will provide candid insights on topics ranging from high-performing and resilient teams, leading with empathy and integrity, and driving sustained success through change and adversity. Tickets for the Business Leader Forum are $75, with all proceeds benefitting the Always Asheville Fund. Those tickets <a href="https://vivenu.soconsports.com/event/2026-socon-business-leader-forum-presented-by-ex-uqdcrt">
 can be purchased here
 </a>. Longtime broadcaster Mick Mixon will serve as emcee for both the Hall of Fame Ceremony and the Business Leader Forum. The Explore Asheville SoCon Wrestling Championships begin on March 6 as well, with preliminary rounds starting at 10:00 am inside Kimmell Arena on the UNC Asheville campus. The tournament runs through Saturday. Tickets for all sessions, VIP tickets, or individual tickets for each day <a href="https://vivenu.soconsports.com/section/wrestling-championships-xg40">
 are available here
 </a>. On Saturday, March 7, the annual Downtown Dribble & KidsFest presented by Champion Credit Union returns Roger McGuire Green at Pack Square Park. Festivities feature inflatables, pep bands, cheerleaders, and, of course, the Downtown Dribble parade, which starts at Roger McGuire Green and ends at the Harrah's Cherokee Center-Asheville. Each participant will receive a basketball, a Downtown Dribble t-shirt, and a ticket to the Noon session quarterfinal basketball games. Parents can purchase a discounted ticket at registration for $15.00. Tickets can be purchased in advance through the Harrah's Cherokee Center-Asheville Box Office. Check-in will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Pack Square Park, with the Downtown Dribble Parade starting at 11:15 a.m. For more information on tickets for SoCon events, <a href="https://vivenu.soconsports.com/">
 visit SoConTickets.com
 </a>.</div>

SoCon Week AVL

SoCon_Week_Push

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference exceled in the NCAA Graduation Success Rate (GSR) scores released Tuesday. The Graduation Success Rate data below is for the 2015 to 2018 cohorts.   OVERALL<ul class="list-bullet"><li
 class=""
 style=""
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 >Samford leads the conference with 11 of the 13 Bulldog teams achieving a perfect score of 100.  </li><li
 class=""
 style=""
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 >Samford and Furman topped the SoCon with both institutions averaging an institutional GSR score of 97.</li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="3"
 >Five member institutions averaged an overall GSR of 90 or higher.</li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="4"
 >Fifty-six SoCon teams earned a perfect score.</li></ul> MEN’S SPORTS<ul class="list-bullet"><li
 class=""
 style=""
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 >Twenty men’s programs posted 100s.</li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="2"
 >Furman, Mercer, Samford, and Wofford each had three or more men’s/mixed teams achieve a score of 100.</li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="3"
 >The men’s basketball squads at Furman, Mercer, and Samford all recorded perfect scores.  Conference members averaged an 87 GSR in men’s basketball, exceeding the Division I average by 2 points</li><li
 class=""
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 >Among men’s sports, tennis leads the way with an average team GSR of 93 and five programs attaining a perfect score.</li><li
 class=""
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 >Six football programs equaled or exceeded the FCS average of 79 with The Citadel leading the conference with a score of 94.  The conference average exceeded the FCS average by 4 points.</li></ul> WOMEN’S SPORTS<ul class="list-bullet"><li
 class=""
 style=""
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 >Thirty-six women’s programs accomplished a perfect score of 100. </li><li
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 >Samford leads the conference with all seven women’s teams achieving a score of 100 for the second consecutive year. Furman, Mercer, Samford, WCU, and Wofford all had at least four women’s teams post perfect scores.</li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="3"
 >Softball and Volleyball topped the women’s sports with an average team GSR of 96, trailed closely by tennis with an average team GSR of 95.  Golf, tennis, and volleyball each had six teams achieve 100’s.</li><li
 class=""
 style=""
 value="4"
 >In women’s basketball, teams from Furman, Mercer, and Samford all earned a perfect score of 100.</li><li
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 >Every women’s sport had three or more institutions post perfect scores.  </li></ul>   ABOUT THE GSR The Graduation Success Rate was developed by the NCAA as part of its academic reform initiative to more accurately measure the success of Division I student-athletes. • The GSR takes into account the many different academic paths followed by today’s college students. • Unlike the federal graduation rate, the GSR holds institutions accountable for transfer students. The GSR also accounts for midyear enrollees and is calculated for every sport. • By counting incoming transfer students and midyear enrollees, the GSR increases the total number of student-athletes tracked for graduation by approximately 37 percent. • Under the GSR calculation, institutions are not penalized for outgoing transfer students who leave in good academic standing. These outgoing transfers are essentially passed to the receiving institution’s GSR cohort. • The NCAA also calculates the federal graduation rate for student-athletes, because it is the only rate to compare student-athletes to the general student body. • This year marks the 24th year of GSR data that have been collected. The NCAA began collecting GSR data with the entering freshman class of 1995.</div>

All-Southern Conference Faculty and Staff Team announced image for article

SoCon excels in annual Graduation Success Rate data

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All-Southern Conference Faculty and Staff Team announced

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Seven Southern Conference (SoCon) teams will travel to their region-specific NCAA Regional meets this weekend. Teams from South Carolina and North Carolina will compete in the Southeast Regional meet, while teams from Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee will compete in the South Regional meet. The Furman Paladins will compete in both the men’s 10K and women’s 6K on Friday at Panorama Farms in Earlysville, Virginia. Both squads enter the regional event after claiming their 13th straight SoCon titles. The latest USTFCCCA poll ranks the Furman women 13th in the Southeast Region, while the men are ranked 6th. SoCon Women’s Runner of the Year Tessa Walter will be joined by Zoie Lamanna, Nysa Males, Rory Sullivan, Jais Award, Elly Velasquez, and Annie Miller. Runner of the Week honorees Nichole Harris and Mary Grace Parker will also compete, while Kate Bannigan, another Runner of the Week selection, will travel as an alternate. On the men’s side, three-time Runner of the Week Chris Knight will be joined by Albert Velikonja, Bryn Woodall, Luke Taylor, Colton Kempney, Rives Boltwood, and Matteo Tonnos. Western Carolina will send 10 competitors to Earlysville. Matthias Peterson and Jaleb Saunders will compete in the men’s 10K, while Jessica Connole, Amaya Hicks, Madeline Hladik, Katherine Hopkins, Grace Lane, Riley McKinney, Peyton Skoglund, and Braelyn Wahy will compete in the women’s 6K. Peterson and Saunders were named to the SoCon Men’s All-Freshman Team. UNCG will send its men’s team to Virginia, led by SoCon Men’s Freshman of the Year Luke Hühn. He will be joined by Khalid Abdullahi, Pierson Guerrant, Jay Guy, Lane Prochaska, Logan Ruffner, and Luke Ward. The ETSU Bucs will send a full slate of runners on both the men’s and women’s sides. Led by SoCon Men’s Runner of the Year Jason Bowers, the Bucs will look to follow up their second-place conference finish with a strong showing in Huntsville, Alabama. Teammates Oliver Cunningham, Colin Everett, William Hartig, Garrett Hawkins, Nate Hillis, Josh Hunt, Ben Kenner, Pierson Layer, Wesley Luisi, Conner Overly, Nolan Pedota, Chance Underwood, and Hayden Waleski will join Bowers. Mercer will send its SoCon Championship runner-up team to Huntsville to compete in the South Regional. The Bears are led by Nichole Harris, a 2025 Runner of the Week honoree, and Mary Grace Parker, who finished third at the conference championship. They will be joined by Chiara Belfico, Emma James, Olivia Jones, Abbie Kallbreier, and Kamryn Wingfield. According to the latest USTFCCCA poll, the Bears are ranked 13th in the South Region. Mercer’s men will also compete, with a roster that includes Jonathan Greene, Buck Ledford, Peyton Millwood, Jacob Peters, Will Poelker, Yianni Pothoulakis, and Max Wakeland. For the ETSU women, junior Sophie Beach and senior Kendall Johnson both rank among the top 20 6K performances in the conference this season. They will be joined by Isabella Dentino, Eliza Evertt, Bonita Gray, Camryn Johnson, Meg Lance, Madalyn Mahoney, Grace Singleton, Julia Visgueiro, and Taylor Walker. Visgueiro was the lone Runner of the Week selection for ETSU women this season. The Chattanooga Mocs will travel to Huntsville for the South Regional Championships. The women’s team, led by 2025 All-Conference First Team member, Maddie Wheatcroft and Leah Boyd, 2025 All-Conference Second Team member, includes Lola Baker, Andrea Ellis, Lexi Foley, Liv Gould, Bella King, Emma Thweatt, and Audrey Wade. The men’s roster features Isaac Atwood, Cash Coggin, Ian Etheridge, Tristan Gould, Reid Gulstrom, Riley Hanson, Derek Mitchell, Andrew Moore, and Jackson Martin. Samford rounds out the South Region competitors with six men: Reese Bell, David Brown, Stephen Jones, William Jordan, and Loden Kohrman. The Bulldogs will also send individual runner Felicity Hamilton to compete in the women’s 6K. The freshman ran the fourth-fastest 6K in the conference at the Crimson Classic with a time of 20:59.50. The <a href="https://live.deltatiming.com/meets/59014" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 South Regional
 </a> meet begins at 8:30 a.m. CT with the women’s race, followed by the men’s race at 9:30 a.m. CT, and will be broadcast on ESPN+. The <a href="https://www.flashresults.com/2026_Meets/xc/NCAASE/index.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 Southeast Regional 
 </a>meet will begin at 10:00 a.m. ET with the women’s race, followed by the men’s race at 11:00 a.m. ET.   </div>

xcreg

SoCon squads set to compete in NCAA XC Regional meets this weekend

<div class="payload-richtext">ASHEVILLE, NC – FIRC Hospitality and the Southern Conference (SoCon) are proud to announce an expanded partnership that reaffirms a long-standing relationship built on mutual support, community engagement, and a shared commitment to Asheville’s continued growth as a destination for athletics, business, and culture. For more than a decade, the SoCon has brought its championship spirit to Asheville, strengthening the city’s reputation as a premier location for collegiate sports and community connection. FIRC Hospitality has proudly stood alongside them as both a host and a true partner. From welcoming teams and fans to providing a home away from home for SoCon staff and administration, their hotels have become an integral part of the SoCon experience in Asheville. That relationship is now entering a new chapter. FIRC Hospitality’s collection of properties, which includes Cambria Downtown Asheville, Haywood Park Hotel, and Country Inn & Suites Asheville River Arts District, will officially serve as the home base for the Southern Conference’s administrative meetings and visits throughout the year, including their prestigious Hall of Fame, Symposium, and Business Leader Forum events. This new role reflects the trust, professionalism, and shared vision that have grown from years of collaboration. “We’re honored to deepen our relationship with the SoCon in a way that brings their leadership closer to the heart of Asheville,” said Ryan Tarrant, VP of Sales & Marketing at FIRC Hospitality. “Our hotels have long been a part of the SoCon’s story here, and this next step reinforces our shared commitment to the city and the student-athletes, coaches, and fans who make these events so special.” “FIRC has truly become a second family to the Southern Conference,” said Jordan Trolinger, Associate Commissioner of the Southern Conference. “Their people go above and beyond to make our staff, coaches, and student-athletes feel at home every time we’re in Asheville. It’s more than hospitality—it’s a shared vision for what community and partnership can look like. We’re proud to call their properties our home away from home and to continue growing together in a city that embodies the spirit of the SoCon.” As Asheville continues to grow as a hub for regional athletics and major events, FIRC Hospitality is proud to help shape that future in partnership with organizations like the Southern Conference—those who understand the power of bringing people together.</div>

FIRC Group x SoCon Graphic

FIRC_SoCon

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 Women's Soccer Tickets
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 </a></div>

know

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>

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<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference announced its 2026 Hall of Fame Class Thursday, with five individuals and one team comprising the Hall's 11th group of honorees. The ceremony will be held at Battery Park Hall in Asheville, NC, on Thursday, March 5. Doors open at 7:00 pm. Tickets will go on sale to the public at a later date. Georgia Southern football coach Paul Johnson (1997-2001), The Citadel football standout Paul Maguire (1957-1959), Davidson men's basketball coach Bob McKillop (1992-2014), Furman women's basketball student-athlete and coach Jackie Smith Carson (1996-2000, 2010-2023), and App State men's soccer legend Thompson Usiyan (1977-1980) were selected for this year's class.  For the first time in the Hall of Fame's existence, teams were eligible for nomination, and the iconic 2007 App State Football team was the top vote getter. "The Hall of Fame Ceremony at The SoCon Soirée recognizes the most exceptional individuals and teams in our conference's 100-plus year history,” said SoCon Commissioner Michael Cross. “There is no better way to launch SoCon Week and the Ingles SoCon Basketball Championships in Asheville. We are grateful to Explore Asheville for their partnership as our presenting sponsor and for helping us pay tribute to these legendary figures who represent the pinnacle of Southern Conference achievement." “The Explore Asheville team is proud to strengthen our longtime partnership with SoCon by honoring conference Hall of Famers this year. This new event creates another stellar reason for more friends and fans to join us here in Asheville during SoCon week,” added Vic Isley, president & CEO of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. Johnson elevated a proud Georgia Southern football program to elite heights during his five-season run as head coach. The Newland, N.C., native and 1979 Western Carolina University graduate went 62-10 overall during that time, including a 36-4 mark in SoCon play to go with five conference titles. His winning percentage of 86.1 trails only that of University of Tennessee head coach Robert Neyland (1926-1932) in Southern Conference history and is the highest in the modern era. Johnson led the Eagles to Division I-AA national titles in 1999 and 2000, and his team finished in the top 10 of the final national rankings in each of his five seasons in Statesboro. The 1997 and 1998 SoCon Coach of the Year and 1999 and 2000 AFCA I-AA National Coach of the Year, Johnson was also the Eddie Robinson Award winner in 1998. He became one of only four head coaches in Division I football history to record at least 50 wins in their first four seasons. Johnson went on to successful stints as the head coach at the United States Naval Academy and Georgia Tech, leading his teams to 13 bowl appearances. He was named National Coach of the Year in 2008 and led Georgia Tech to an ACC Championship and an Orange Bowl appearance in his second campaign. Johnson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2023. Maguire enjoyed a terrific career on the gridiron at The Citadel as a tight end and punter from 1956 to 1959. The Youngstown, Ohio, native led the Bulldogs in receiving yards each of his four seasons and was the team's top punter three times. The two-time All-SoCon selection had his best season in 1959, powering The Citadel to an 8-2 overall mark and a 5-1 record in SoCon play. Maguire led the team with 32 catches for 549 yards and a national-best 10 touchdowns as a senior, earning 1959 SoCon Player of the Year and third team Associated Press All-America honors. Maguire also led the league with a then-school-record 42.8 yards per punt on 32 attempts. He finished his career with 76 catches for 1,524 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 20.1 yards per catch over four seasons. Maguire averaged 40.2 yards per punt for his career. The Los Angeles Chargers drafted Maguire in the 1960 AFL Draft, and he played four seasons in Southern California, helping the Chargers to an AFL title in 1963. He joined the Buffalo Bills in 1964 and helped the club to AFL titles in 1964 and 1965. Maguire was a two-time AFL All-Star and led the league in punting three times. He averaged 41.7 yards per punt for his career and picked off nine passes while playing linebacker. Following his playing career, Maguire embarked on a long and successful stint as a color analyst for NBC and ESPN, rising to a position on NBC's top NFL broadcast team in the mid-1990s. McKillop stands atop a long and talented list of coaches to patrol the sidelines of the Southern Conference's storied history in men's basketball. From 1992 to 2014, he led the Davidson Wildcats to an impressive 447 wins, seven NCAA Tournament appearances, seven SoCon Tournament championships, and 11 SoCon regular season titles. McKillop's 447 wins are the most in conference history, with no other coach reaching 300 wins. Davidson's second regular season title in three seasons led to its first NCAA Tournament berth under McKillop in 1998 – the school's first appearance in the Big Dance since 1986. McKillop led his team to another NCAA bid in 2002 and had a stretch of three consecutive seasons with NCAA appearances from 2006 to 2008. His Wildcats were a perfect 20-0 in the regular season in 2007-08 and rolled through the SoCon Championship in North Charleston by an average of 26.3 points per win. Led by SoCon Hall of Famer Steph Curry, the Wildcats went on a historic run in the Big Dance, beating Gonzaga, Georgetown, and Wisconsin to reach the Elite Eight in Detroit. The Wildcats lost 59-57 to eventual national champion Kansas, tying the school's deepest advancement ever in the tournament, and first Elite Eight appearance since 1969. The 2008 Wildcats finished with a No. 9 final national ranking. McKillop led Davidson to NCAA appearances again in 2012 and 2013 following SoCon titles. His teams posted 12 seasons with at least 20 wins, and McKillop was named SoCon Coach of the Year by his peers eight times and Coach of the Year by the league's media pool six times. He was also named the 2008 NABC National Coach of the Year. His 22 seasons coaching in the SoCon ranks second all-time and mark the longest tenure since 1947. Smith Carson starred on the hardwood for Furman, then made her mark as a successful head coach with the Paladins after playing professionally in Belgium and Israel. She remains the only person in Southern Conference history to be named both Player of the Year and Coach of the Year in either men's or women's basketball. Carson earned All-SoCon honors three times as a player, was named the conference's Player of the Week 12 times, and earned SoCon Player of the Year in both 1998 and 1999. She led the SoCon in scoring as a sophomore and junior and topped the SoCon's rebounding list in each of her final three seasons. Her school and conference records for made free throws in a single season (212) and career (724) still stand. Carson recorded 52 career double-doubles, 1,920 points, and 1,057 rebounds over four seasons in Greenville, and her senior season finished in style – with a SoCon Tournament title and an appearance in the 2000 NCAA Tournament. Carson won 205 games as the program's head coach, with six seasons of 18 wins or more to her credit. She was named SoCon Coach of the Year following the 2013-14 season, which saw her Paladins finish second in the regular season standings and earn a trip to the WNIT. Carson has served as Senior Vice President of Women's Basketball for the Atlantic Coast Conference since 2023. She was named to the Southern Conference's 100th Anniversary Team in 2021. Usiyan finished his career at App State as the most prolific scorer in NCAA Division I men's soccer history. Nearly 45 years later, he remains atop that list. A native of Effurun, Nigeria, Usiyan was sensational for the Mountaineers, registering NCAA Division I and SoCon career records with 255 points, 109 goals, and 6.35 points per match – 25 points and 19 goals more than the next closest scorer. His 1980 season established single-season marks for NCAA Division I and the SoCon in points (108), goals (46), points per match (6.35), and goals per match (2.71), which remain unbroken to this day. A testament to his dominance, Usiyan is listed in the current edition of the NCAA Men's Soccer Record Book 22 times. His second-best single-season marks for points per match (6.00) and goals per match (2.52) also rank second in NCAA Division I history. One of his most electric performances came on November 15, 1978, in the NCAA Tournament, when he blitzed George Washington for an NCAA Division I postseason record 15 points on seven goals and an assist. App State won that match 9-3, advancing to face eventual College Cup participant Clemson in the second round, falling to the Tigers 2-1 in an overtime thriller. Usiyan was named SoCon Player of the Year three times and led App State to a stellar 44-6-3 overall record, which included a 25-0 mark in SoCon regular-season play and three NCAA Tournament appearances. He was named to the Southern Conference's 100th Anniversary Team in 2021. Following his college career, Usiyan spent 14 seasons playing professionally in the United States, both indoor and outdoor. He was named MVP of the MISL in 1992 with the San Diego Sockers, leading the team to a 26-win season and a league championship. Before his time at App State, Usiyan earned a spot on Nigeria's national team roster to play in the 1976 Montreal Olympics, but the country joined 29 other nations in boycotting those games. He was considered a top striker for the Nigerian National Team and scored five career goals in eight international matches played with the Green Eagles. Usiyan passed away on August 31, 2021, at the age of 65 in La Mesa, Calif. The 2007 App State Mountaineers captured the national football spotlight early in 2007, marching into Ann Arbor, Mich., and stunning the No. 5 Michigan Wolverines 34-32 in front of 109,218 fans in the Big House. By September 10, speedster Dexter Jackson was on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and the Mountaineers were heavy favorites to win a third-straight NCAA Division I-AA National Championship. Hall of Fame Coach Jerry Moore's team did just that, rallying in late October to begin an eight-game win streak with a 34-27 road win at Furman. Wins over Western Carolina and Chattanooga closed out the regular season, and two thrilling wins in the playoffs over James Madison (28-27) and Eastern Washington (38-35) vaulted the Mountaineers into the semifinals. They had little trouble from there, dominating Richmond (55-35) to reach the finals and steamrolling Delaware 49-21 in Chattanooga's Finley Stadium to cap a three-peat. The Mountaineers became the first program in NCAA Division I-AA history to win three consecutive national titles. The third straight title also marked the first time a Division I program had won three consecutive national titles since Army in 1944, 1945, and 1946. Guard Kerry Brown, defensive tackle Anthony Williams, linebacker Pierre Banks, safety Corey Lynch, quarterback Armanti Edwards, kicker Julian Rauch, running back Kevin Richardson, guard John Holt, center Scott Suttle, defensive end Gary Tharrington, and corner Jerome Touchstone were named to the Sports Network I-AA All-America Team, giving App State a record 11 selections in 2007. Receivers Hans Batichon and Dexter Jackson, linebackers Jacque Roman and D.J. Smith, and defensive end Tony Robertson earned honorable mention All-America honors from TSN. App State defeated six nationally ranked teams during the 2007 season and averaged a healthy 41.3 points per game offensively. The 2007 Mountaineers had success beyond the college ranks, with eight members going on to appear on NFL rosters. The conference's Executive Committee approved the creation of a Hall of Fame in 2008, with the first class inducted on May 4, 2009, in Spartanburg, S.C. With the most recent class, the Hall of Fame includes 64 individual members and one team.  Current and former members submit nominations, which an internal committee vets before creating a final ballot. A panel consisting of representation from each current SoCon member institution and a group of voters with historical ties to the league determines the final class. The SoCon Fan Vote, introduced in 2024, is also part of the selection process. </div>

SoCon 2026 Hall of Fame Class

Hall of Fame 2026 Announcement1

<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
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 >Transparency</li><li
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 >Independent Oversight</li><li
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 >Incentives for Core Values of Education, Gender Equity, and Opportunity</li><li
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 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

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<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">
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SoCon Partners with vivenu

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<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>

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<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

Mercer Baseball

Mercer

Baseball

@OtisBunkmeyer @mrohr77 https://t.co/fvsNYzwNV1

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Hear from @EliStephens17 after his monster night 🗣️🎙️

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The Citadel Baseball

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𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐮𝐛, 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 🐐

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VMI Baseball

Same time next year?✍️

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Wofford Baseball

Wofford

Wofford College

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LETS GOOOO TRIP!!!! 🔥

Brown strikes out the batter to strand two on!

M8 | CIT 2, CCU 1

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Back in the 𝐖𝐈𝐍 column ✅

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Myers starting us off!! https://t.co/EqjxWcBRGR

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