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The '''Gulf South Conference''' (formerly the '''Mid-South Conference''') is an NCAA Division II athletic conference with members across the southeastern United States. It was formed by six member institutions in [[1970]] and adopted its current name in [[1971]]. The league currently has fourteen members competing in fourteen sports (seven men's and seven women's). The conference headquarters, originally in Hammond, Louisiana, moved to [[Birmingham]] in the early 1980s. The current location is 2101 [[Providence Park]] off [[Valleydale Road]] in [[Hoover]]. The commissioner is [[Nate Salant]]. | The '''Gulf South Conference''' (formerly the '''Mid-South Conference''') is an NCAA Division II athletic conference with members across the southeastern United States. It was formed by six member institutions in [[1970]] and adopted its current name in [[1971]]. The league currently has fourteen members competing in fourteen sports (seven men's and seven women's). The conference headquarters, originally in Hammond, Louisiana, moved to [[Birmingham]] in the early 1980s. The current location is 2101 [[Providence Park]] off [[Valleydale Road]] in [[Hoover]]. The commissioner is [[Nate Salant]]. | ||
==History== | |||
Originally known as the '''Mid-South Conference''', the GSC was formed by six universities in the summer of 1970: | Originally known as the '''Mid-South Conference''', the GSC was formed by six universities in the summer of [[1970]]: Delta State, Florence State (now [[University of North Alabama|North Alabama]]), Jacksonville State, Livingston (now [[University of West Alabama|West Alabama]]), Tennessee–Martin and Troy State (now Troy). Scheduling problems for the 1970–71 academic year limited the league to football, won by Jacksonville State. | ||
In 1971, the league changed its name to the Gulf South Conference; added | In [[1971]], the league changed its name to the Gulf South Conference; added Southeastern Louisiana and Nicholls State (increasing the membership to eight); opened an office in Hammond, Louisiana; and began championships in all men’s sports. The following year, Mississippi College and Northwestern Louisiana (now Northwestern State) were admitted. NWLA withdrew to go Division I two years later, followed by SELA and Nicholls State in [[1979]]. | ||
The conference continued with seven teams until 1981, when the presidents admitted Valdosta State. | The conference continued with seven teams until [[1981]], when the presidents admitted Valdosta State. West Georgia joined in [[1983]]. Eight years of stability ended in [[1991]] when Tennessee–Martin and Troy State went Division I, briefly dropping the GSC back to seven members. The league soon began another expansion resulting in ten new members: Lincoln Memorial (1992–93); Alabama–Huntsville, Henderson State, Central Arkansas, the Mississippi University for Women (MUW) (1993–94); West Florida (1994–95); Arkansas-Monticello, Arkansas Tech, [[University of Montevallo|Montevallo]], and Southern Arkansas (1995–96). | ||
Jacksonville State went Division I at the end of 1992–93. Mississippi College dropped to Division III at the end of 1995–96 and was replaced by Christian Brothers to keep the Conference at 16 schools. In July [[2000]], the GSC welcomed Harding University and Ouachita Baptist University, making it the largest NCAA conference at any level with 18 schools. The Conference membership decreased to 17 when MUW dropped its athletics program at the end of the 2002–03 season. | |||
2006–07 was another season of change for the GSC. Central Arkansas moved to Division I, leaving the West Division with eight schools while Lincoln Memorial left for the South Atlantic Conference due to travel and location issues, leaving the East Division with seven schools. | |||
Former Commissioner [[Jim McCullough]] moved the GSC office to its present [[Birmingham | Montevallo announced on June 27, 2008 that they would be leaving for the Peach Belt Conference following the 2008–09 season due to issues between the University's President and the Commissioner. Former Commissioner [[Jim McCullough]] moved the GSC office to its present [[Birmingham]], location. The current Commissioner, [[Nate Salant]], has been in office since October [[1992]]. | ||
Beginning with the 2011-12 academic year | Beginning with the 2011-12 academic year GSC members University of Arkansas at Monticello, | ||
Arkansas Tech University, Harding University, Henderson State University, Ouachita Baptist University and Southern Arkansas University | Arkansas Tech University, Harding University, Henderson State University, Ouachita Baptist University and Southern Arkansas University left for the newly-formed Great American Conference. Replacement schools are being sought to replace some or all of the schools leaving the GSC. | ||
==Sponsored sports== | ==Sponsored sports== | ||
GSC members feature comprehensive athletic programs that compete for 14 official conference championships: football, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s tennis and men’s and women’s golf. | GSC members feature comprehensive athletic programs that compete for 14 official conference championships: football, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s tennis and men’s and women’s golf. | ||
The GSC is perhaps best known for being the premier conference in NCAA Division II football. | The GSC is perhaps best known for being the premier conference in NCAA Division II football. The three-year run put together by North Alabama in the mid-1990s is one of the most amazing feats in college football history. North Alabama went 41-1 during that span with the only loss being a 3 point loss to that season’s NCAA Division I-AA champion Youngstown State. No other football team on any level has ever won 41 games during a 3 year period. | ||
==Members== | ==Members== | ||
* [[University of Alabama in Huntsville]] Chargers | * [[University of Alabama in Huntsville]] Chargers | ||
Revision as of 18:30, 31 December 2011
The Gulf South Conference (formerly the Mid-South Conference) is an NCAA Division II athletic conference with members across the southeastern United States. It was formed by six member institutions in 1970 and adopted its current name in 1971. The league currently has fourteen members competing in fourteen sports (seven men's and seven women's). The conference headquarters, originally in Hammond, Louisiana, moved to Birmingham in the early 1980s. The current location is 2101 Providence Park off Valleydale Road in Hoover. The commissioner is Nate Salant.
History
Originally known as the Mid-South Conference, the GSC was formed by six universities in the summer of 1970: Delta State, Florence State (now North Alabama), Jacksonville State, Livingston (now West Alabama), Tennessee–Martin and Troy State (now Troy). Scheduling problems for the 1970–71 academic year limited the league to football, won by Jacksonville State.
In 1971, the league changed its name to the Gulf South Conference; added Southeastern Louisiana and Nicholls State (increasing the membership to eight); opened an office in Hammond, Louisiana; and began championships in all men’s sports. The following year, Mississippi College and Northwestern Louisiana (now Northwestern State) were admitted. NWLA withdrew to go Division I two years later, followed by SELA and Nicholls State in 1979.
The conference continued with seven teams until 1981, when the presidents admitted Valdosta State. West Georgia joined in 1983. Eight years of stability ended in 1991 when Tennessee–Martin and Troy State went Division I, briefly dropping the GSC back to seven members. The league soon began another expansion resulting in ten new members: Lincoln Memorial (1992–93); Alabama–Huntsville, Henderson State, Central Arkansas, the Mississippi University for Women (MUW) (1993–94); West Florida (1994–95); Arkansas-Monticello, Arkansas Tech, Montevallo, and Southern Arkansas (1995–96).
Jacksonville State went Division I at the end of 1992–93. Mississippi College dropped to Division III at the end of 1995–96 and was replaced by Christian Brothers to keep the Conference at 16 schools. In July 2000, the GSC welcomed Harding University and Ouachita Baptist University, making it the largest NCAA conference at any level with 18 schools. The Conference membership decreased to 17 when MUW dropped its athletics program at the end of the 2002–03 season.
2006–07 was another season of change for the GSC. Central Arkansas moved to Division I, leaving the West Division with eight schools while Lincoln Memorial left for the South Atlantic Conference due to travel and location issues, leaving the East Division with seven schools.
Montevallo announced on June 27, 2008 that they would be leaving for the Peach Belt Conference following the 2008–09 season due to issues between the University's President and the Commissioner. Former Commissioner Jim McCullough moved the GSC office to its present Birmingham, location. The current Commissioner, Nate Salant, has been in office since October 1992.
Beginning with the 2011-12 academic year GSC members University of Arkansas at Monticello, Arkansas Tech University, Harding University, Henderson State University, Ouachita Baptist University and Southern Arkansas University left for the newly-formed Great American Conference. Replacement schools are being sought to replace some or all of the schools leaving the GSC.
Sponsored sports
GSC members feature comprehensive athletic programs that compete for 14 official conference championships: football, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s tennis and men’s and women’s golf.
The GSC is perhaps best known for being the premier conference in NCAA Division II football. The three-year run put together by North Alabama in the mid-1990s is one of the most amazing feats in college football history. North Alabama went 41-1 during that span with the only loss being a 3 point loss to that season’s NCAA Division I-AA champion Youngstown State. No other football team on any level has ever won 41 games during a 3 year period.
Members
- University of Alabama in Huntsville Chargers
- University of Arkansas at Monticello Boll Weevils / Cotton Blossoms
- Arkansas Tech University Wonder Boys / Golden Suns
- Christian Brothers University Buccaneers
- Delta State University Statesmen
- Harding University Bisons
- Henderson State University Reddies
- University of North Alabama Lions
- Ouachita Baptist University Tigers
- Southern Arkansas University Muleriders
- Valdosta State University Blazers
- University of West Alabama Tigers
- University of West Florida Argonauts
- University of West Georgia Wolves
External links
- Gulf South Conference website