Southern States Athletic Conference

NAIA athletic conference in the US

Not to be confused with Southern States Conference.

Southern States Athletic Conference

Formerly| Georgia Alabama Carolina Conference (1999–2004)
Association| NAIA
Founded| 1999; 26 years ago (1999)
Commissioner| Mike Hall
Sports fielded|

* 19
* men's: 9
* women's: 10

No. of teams| 12 (13 in 2026)
Headquarters| Montgomery, Alabama
Region| Southeastern United States
Official website| ssacsports.com
Locations

The Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) is a college athletic conference affiliated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The 13 member universities that compete in 19 sports are located in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Basketball teams compete as a single division in the NAIA.

## History

[edit]

The Southern States Athletic Conference was established as the Georgia–Alabama–Carolina Conference (GACC) on March 16, 1999. On June 27, 2004, the conference changed its name to the Southern States Athletic Conference.[1]

### Chronological timeline

[edit]

Southern States Athletic Conference

120km
75miles

Brewton–Parker

UT Southern

Thomas

Point

Life

Abraham Baldwin

Xavier (La.)

Dalton State

Blue Mountain

William Carey

Mobile

Loyola New Orleans

Faulkner

Location of SSAC members:  current,  future

* 1999 – On March 16, 1999, the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) was founded as the Georgia–Alabama–Carolina Conference (GACC). Charter members included Auburn University at Montgomery, Brenau University, Brewton–Parker College, Emmanuel College (now Emmanuel University), Faulkner University, Georgia Southwestern State University, North Georgia College & State University (now the University of North Georgia), Shorter College (now Shorter University), Southern Polytechnic State University and Southern Wesleyan University, beginning the 1999–2000 academic year.
* 2000 – Reinhardt College (now Reinhardt University) joined the GACC in the 2000–01 academic year.
* 2004 – On June 27, 2004, the GACC was rebranded as the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) in the 2004–05 academic year.
* 2004 – Berry College and Lee University joined the SSAC in the 2004–05 academic year.
* 2005 – North Georgia left the SSAC and the NAIA to join the Division II ranks of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) after the 2004–05 academic year.
* 2005 – Columbia College of South Carolina joined the SSAC in the 2005–06 academic year.
* 2006 – Georgia Southwestern State left the SSAC and the NAIA to join the NCAA Division II ranks and the Peach Belt (PBC) after the 2005–06 academic year.
* 2009 – Reinhardt left the SSAC to join the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) after the 2008–09 academic year.
* 2010 – Berry left the SSAC and the NAIA to join the NCAA Division III ranks as an NCAA D-III Independent (which would later join the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) beginning the 2012–13 academic year) after the 2009–10 academic year.
* 2010 – Belhaven University, Loyola University New Orleans, the University of Mobile, Spring Hill College, Truett–McConnell College (now Truett–McConnell University), and William Carey University joined the SSAC in the 2010–11 academic year.
* 2011 – Columbia (S.C.) left the SSAC to join the Appalachian (AAC) after the 2010–11 academic year.
* 2012 – Shorter left the SSAC and the NAIA to join the NCAA Division II ranks and the Gulf South Conference (GSC) after the 2011–12 academic year.
* 2012 – The College of Coastal Georgia joined the SSAC in the 2012–13 academic year.
* 2013 – Lee left the SSAC and the NAIA to join the NCAA Division II ranks and the Gulf South (GSC) after the 2012–13 academic year.
* 2013 – Bethel University of Tennessee, Blue Mountain College (now Blue Mountain Christian University), and Martin Methodist College (now the University of Tennessee Southern) joined the SSAC in the 2013–14 academic year.
* 2014 – Three institutions left the SSAC and the NAIA to join the NCAA Division II ranks and their respective new home primary conferences, all effective after the 2013–14 academic year:
* Emmanuel (Ga.) and Southern Wesleyan to the Conference Carolinas (CC)
* and Spring Hill to the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC)
* 2014 – Southern Poly announced that it would drop its athletic program and close once it is consolidated by Kennesaw State University at the end of the 2013–14 academic year.
* 2014 – Dalton State College and Middle Georgia State University joined the SSAC in the 2014–15 academic year.
* 2015 – Belhaven left the SSAC and the NAIA to join the NCAA Division III ranks and the American Southwest Conference after the 2014–15 academic year.
* 2016 – Auburn–Montgomery left the SSAC and the NAIA to join the NCAA Division II ranks as an NCAA D-II Independent (which would later join the Gulf South (GSC), beginning the 2017–18 school year) after the 2015–16 academic year.
* 2017 – Two institutions left the SSAC to join their respective new home primary conferences, both effective after the 2016–17 academic year:
* Brenau to join the Appalachian (AAC)
* and Coastal Georgia to join the Sun Conference
* 2017 – Point University joined the SSAC as an affiliate member for competitive cheer in the 2017–18 academic year.
* 2018 – Florida College and Stillman College joined the SSAC in the 2018–19 academic year.
* 2020 – Bethel (Tenn.) and Martin Methodist left the SSAC to join the Mid-South Conference (MSC) after the 2019–20 academic year.
* 2020 – Two institutions joined the SSAC as affiliate members (and/or added other single sports into their affiliate memberships), both effective in the 2020–21 academic year:
* Warner University for competitive cheer
* and Xavier University of Louisiana for competitive cheer and men's and women's tennis
* 2021 – Florida College left the SSAC to become an NAIA Independent within the Continental Athletic Conference after the 2020–21 academic year.
* 2021 – Two institutions left the SSAC as affiliate members (and/or removed other single sports from their affiliate memberships), both effective after the 2020–21 academic year:
* Warner University for competitive cheer
* and Xavier University of Louisiana for competitive cheer and men's and women's tennis
* 2021 – Talladega College joined the SSAC in the 2021–22 academic year.
* 2021 – Five institutions joined SSAC as affiliate members (and/or added other single sports into their affiliate memberships), all effective in the 2021–22 academic year:
* Dillard University, Florida National University, Rust College and Tougaloo College for men's and women's tennis
* and Fisk University for women's tennis
* 2022 – Three institutions left the SSAC as affiliate members (and/or removed other single sports from their affiliate memberships), all effective after the 2021–22 academic year:
* Fisk for women's tennis
* and Rust and Tougaloo for men's and women's tennis
* 2022 – Life University joined the SSAC in the 2022–23 academic year.
* 2022 – Florida Memorial University joined the SSAC as an affiliate member for competitive cheer in the 2022–23 academic year.
* 2023 – Talladega left the SSAC to join the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC, now the HBCU Athletic Conference) after the 2022–23 academic year.
* 2023 – Florida National left the SSAC as an affiliate member for men's and women's tennis after the 2023 spring season (2022–23 academic year).
* 2023 – Thomas University joined the SSAC (with the University of Tennessee Southern, formerly Martin Methodist, rejoining; plus Point upgrading for all sports) in the 2023–24 academic year.
* 2023 – Keiser University joined the SSAC as an affiliate member for competitive cheer in the 2023–24 academic year.
* 2024 – Stillman left the SSAC to join the HBCUAC after the 2023–24 academic year.
* 2024 – Two institutions left the SSAC as affiliate members (and/or removed other single sports from their affiliate memberships), both effective after the 2023–24 academic year:
* Dillard for men's and women's tennis
* and Keiser for competitive cheer
* 2024 – Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College joined the SSAC in the 2024–25 academic year.
* 2025 – Middle Georgia State left the SSAC to join the NCAA Division II ranks and the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) after the 2024–25 academic year.
* 2026 – Xavier University of Louisiana will join the SSAC in the 2026–27 academic year.

## Member schools

[edit]

### Current members

[edit]

The SSAC currently has 12 full members, all but three being private schools.

Institution  | Location  | Founded  | Affiliation  | Enrollment  | Nickname  | Joined[a] | Basketball?

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Tifton, Georgia | 1908  | Public[b] | 3,768  | Golden Stallions | 2024  | both
Blue Mountain Christian University | Blue Mountain, Mississippi | 1873  | Southern Baptist | 971  | Toppers | 2013  | both
Brewton–Parker College | Mount Vernon, Georgia | 1904  | Southern Baptist | 1,123  | Barons | 1999  | both
Dalton State College | Dalton, Georgia | 1963  | Public[b] | 4,902  | Roadrunners | 2014  | men's
Faulkner University | Montgomery, Alabama | 1942  | Churches of Christ | 2,933  | Eagles | 1999  | both
Life University[2] | Marietta, Georgia | 1974  | Nonsectarian | 2,711  | Running Eagles | 2022  | both
Loyola University New Orleans | New Orleans, Louisiana | 1904  | Catholic (Jesuit) | 4,351  | Wolf Pack | 2010  | both
University of Mobile | Mobile, Alabama | 1961  | Southern Baptist | 1,911  | Rams | 2010  | both
Point University[3][4] | West Point, Georgia | 1937  | Christian | 2,827  | Skyhawks | 2023  | both
Thomas University[5] | Thomasville, Georgia | 1950  | Nonsectarian | 1,583  | Night Hawks | 2023  | both
University of Tennessee Southern[6] | Pulaski, Tennessee | 1870  | Public[c] | 978  | FireHawks | 2013;
2023[d] | both
William Carey University | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | 1892  | Southern Baptist | 5,448  | Crusaders | 2010  | both

Notes

1. ^ Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
2. ^ a b Part of the University System of Georgia.
3. ^ Part of the University of Tennessee System.
4. ^ UT Southern initially joined the SSAC in the 2013–14 school year under its old name Martin Methodist College, before leaving after the 2019–20 school year, and then rejoining under its current name before the 2023–24 school year.

### Future member

[edit]

The SSAC will have one future member, a private school.

Institution  | Location  | Founded  | Affiliation  | Enrollment  | Nickname  | Joining[a] | Basketball?  | Current
conference

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Xavier University of Louisiana | New Orleans, Louisiana | 1925  | Catholic
(S.B.S.)[b] | 3,181  | Gold Rush &
Gold Nuggets | 2026[c] | both  | Red River (RRAC)

Notes

1. ^ Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
2. ^ Also a historically black college and university.
3. ^ Xavier was previously a SSAC affiliate member for cheer and men's & women's tennis for the 2020–21 athletic season.

### Affiliate members

[edit]

Institution  | Location  | Founded  | Affiliation  | Enrollment  | Nickname  | Joined[a] | SSAC
sport(s)  | Primary
conference

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Florida Memorial University | Miami Gardens, Florida | 1879  | American Baptist[b] | 1,365  | Lions | 2022  | competitive cheer  | The Sun (TSC)

Notes

1. ^ Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
2. ^ Also a historically black college and university.

### Former members

[edit]

The SSAC had 21 former full members, all but six were private schools. School names and nicknames reflect those used in the final school year of SSAC membership:

Institution  | Location  | Founded  | Affiliation  | Enrollment  | Nickname  | Joined[a] | Left[b] | Current
conference

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, Alabama | 1967  | Public  | 5,189  | Warhawks | 1999  | 2016  | Gulf South (GSC)[c]
Belhaven University | Jackson, Mississippi | 1883  | Evangelical
Presbyterian | 3,616  | Blazers | 2010  | 2015  | C.C. South (CCS)[d]
Bethel University | McKenzie, Tennessee | 1842  | Cumberland
Presbyterian | 2,974  | Wildcats | 2013  | 2020  | Mid-South (MSC)[7][e]
Berry College | Mount Berry, Georgia | 1902  | Nondenominational | 2,370  | Vikings | 2004  | 2010  | Southern (SAA)[d]
Brenau University[f] | Gainesville, Georgia | 1878  | Nonsectarian | 2,420  | Golden Tigers | 1999  | 2017  | Appalachian (AAC)
College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick, Georgia | 1961  | Public[g] | 3,189  | Mariners | 2012  | 2017  | The Sun
Columbia College[h] | Columbia, South Carolina | 1854  | United Methodist | 1,572  | Fighting Koalas | 2005  | 2011  | Appalachian (AAC)
Emmanuel College[i] | Franklin Springs, Georgia | 1919  | Pentecostal | 896  | Lions | 1999  | 2014  | Carolinas (CC)[c]
Florida College[j] | Temple Terrace, Florida | 1946  | Churches of Christ | 657  | Falcons | 2018  | 2021  | Continental
Georgia Southwestern State University | Americus, Georgia | 1906  | Public[g] | 3,408  | Hurricanes | 1999  | 2006  | Peach Belt (PBC)[c]
Lee University | Cleveland, Tennessee | 1918  | Church of God | 3,680  | Flames | 2004  | 2013  | Gulf South (GSC)[c]
Middle Georgia State University | Cochran, Georgia[k] | 2013  | Public[g] | 8,033  | Knights | 2014  | 2025  | Peach Belt (PBC)[c]
North Georgia College & State University[l] | Dahlonega, Georgia | 1873  | Public[g] | 18,074  | Saints[m] | 1999  | 2005  | Peach Belt (PBC)[c]
Reinhardt College[n] | Waleska, Georgia | 1883  | United Methodist  | 1,170  | Eagles | 2000  | 2009  | Appalachian (AAC)
Shorter University | Rome, Georgia | 1873  | Baptist | 1,447  | Hawks | 1999  | 2012  | Gulf South (GSC)[c]
Southern Polytechnic State University | Marietta, Georgia | 1948  | Public[g] | N/A  | Runnin' Hornets | 1999  | 2014  | N/A[o]
Southern Wesleyan University | Central, South Carolina | 1906  | Wesleyan | 1,188  | Warriors | 1999  | 2014  | Carolinas (CC)[c]
Spring Hill College | Mobile, Alabama | 1830  | Catholic
(Jesuit) | 977  | Badgers | 2010  | 2014  | Southern (SIAC)[c]
Stillman College | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | 1876  | Presbyterian[p]
(PCUSA) | 779  | Tigers | 2018  | 2024  | HBCU (HBCUAC)
Talladega College | Talladega, Alabama | 1867  | United Church of Christ[p] | 837  | Tornadoes | 2021  | 2023  | HBCU (HBCUAC)
Truett–McConnell College | Cleveland, Georgia | 1946  | Baptist  | 2,714  | Bears | 2010  | 2013  | Appalachian (AAC)

Notes

1. ^ Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
2. ^ Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition ends.
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Currently an NCAA Division II athletic conference.
4. ^ a b Currently an NCAA Division III athletic conference.
5. ^ Bethel was already a Mid-South Conference affiliate in archery and football. Bethel returned to the MSC in track and field, and transferred all other sports to that conference as a full member.
6. ^ This institution is a women's college, therefore it does not compete in men's sports.
7. ^ a b c d e Part of the University System of Georgia.
8. ^ This institution was a women's college, but has since then been a co-educational institution, therefore it does compete in some men's sports [Columbia (S.C.) since 2020–21].
9. ^ Currently known as Emmanuel University since 2023.
10. ^ Florida College had sponsored women's basketball until after the 2020–21 school year.
11. ^ Middle Georgia State's main campus is in Macon, where the women's cross-country and volleyball teams and men's and women's tennis teams are housed; the other intercollegiate athletics teams compete on the Cochran campus.
12. ^ North Georgia State consolidated with Gainesville State College in 2013 to form the current University of North Georgia.
13. ^ Since the 2013 merger, North Georgia has competed as the North Georgia Nighthawks.
14. ^ Currently known as Reinhardt University since 2010.
15. ^ Southern Poly had consolidated with Kennesaw State University in 2014.
16. ^ a b Also a historically black college and university.

### Former affiliate members

[edit]

The SSAC had 20 former full members, all but five were private schools. School names and nicknames reflect those used in the final school year of SSAC membership:

Institution  | Location  | Founded  | Affiliation  | Enrollment  | Nickname  | Joined[a] | Left[b] | SSAC
sport(s)  | Primary
conference

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Dillard University | New Orleans, Louisiana | 1869  | United Methodist &
United Church of Christ[c] | 1,122  | Bleu Devils &
Lady Bleu Devils | 2021m.ten.
2021w.ten. | 2024m.ten.
2024w.ten. | men's tennis
women's tennis  | HBCU (HBCUAC)
Fisk University | Nashville, Tennessee | 1866  | United Church of Christ[c] | 1,005  | Bulldogs | 2021  | 2022  | women's tennis  | HBCU (HBCUAC)
Florida National University | Hialeah, Florida | 1988  | For-profit | 2,638  | Conquistadors | 2021m.ten.
2021w.ten. | 2023m.ten.
2023w.ten. | men's tennis
women's tennis  | Continental
Keiser University | West Palm Beach, Florida | 1977  | Nonsectarian  | 20,102  | Seahawks | 2023  | 2024  | competitive cheer  | The Sun (TSC)
Point University | West Point, Georgia | 1937  | Christian | 2,827  | Skyhawks | 2017  | 2023  | competitive cheer  | Southern States (SSAC)
Rust College | Holly Springs, Mississippi | 1866  | United Methodist[c] | 429  | Bearcats | 2021m.ten.
2021w.ten. | 2022m.ten.
2022w.ten. | men's tennis
women's tennis  | HBCU (HBCUAC)
Tougaloo College | Tougaloo, Mississippi | 1869  | United Church of Christ &
Disciples of Christ[c] | 725  | Bulldogs | 2021m.ten.
2021w.ten. | 2022m.ten.
2022w.ten. | men's tennis
women's tennis  | HBCU (HBCUAC)
Warner University | Lake Wales, Florida | 1968  | Church of God | 891  | Royals | 2020  | 2021  | competitive cheer  | The Sun (TSC)
Xavier University of Louisiana | New Orleans, Louisiana | 1925  | Catholic
(S.B.S.)[c] | 3,181  | Gold Rush &
Gold Nuggets | 2020cheer.
2020m.ten.
2020w.ten. | 2021cheer.
2021m.ten.
2021w.ten. | competitive cheer
men's tennis
women's tennis  | Red River (RRAC)

Notes

1. ^ Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
2. ^ Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition ends.
3. ^ a b c d e Also a historically black college and university.

### Membership timeline

[edit]

Full member (non-football)

## Sports

[edit]

The SSAC holds championships in the following 19 sports:

A divisional format is used for men's and women's basketball.

East

* Abraham Baldwin
* Brewton-Parker
* Dalton State <men's only>
* Life
* Middle Georgia State
* Point
* Thomas

West

* Blue Mountain Christian
* Faulkner
* Loyola [La.]
* Mobile
* Tennessee-Southern
* William Carey

Conference sports  Sport | Men's | Women's

|
|

Baseball | Y |
Basketball | Y | Y
Bowling | Y | Y
Cross Country | Y | Y
Golf | Y | Y
Soccer | Y | Y
Softball |  | Y
Tennis | Y | Y
Track & Field Indoor | Y | Y
Track & Field Outdoor | Y | Y
Volleyball |  | Y

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "The Governance Structure of the SSAC". Southern States Athletic Conference. Retrieved November 4, 2009.
2. ^ "Life U Athletics Headed to Southern States Athletic Conference in 2022-23". Life Running Eagles. December 16, 2020.
3. ^ "Point University Approved For SSAC Membership In 2023-24". SSAC. August 9, 2022.
4. ^ "Point to join Southern States Athletic Conference in 2023-24". Point University. August 9, 2022.
5. ^ "Thomas University Approved For SSAC Membership In 2023-24". SSAC. July 1, 2022.
6. ^ "Tennessee Southern Approved For SSAC Membership In 2023-24". SSAC. July 1, 2022.
7. ^ "Bethel, Freed–Hardeman and Martin Methodist Renew Rivalries with Mid-South Conference Move". Mid-South Conference. July 25, 2019. Retrieved March 18, 2020.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Southern States Athletic Conference.

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Southern States Athletic Conference

* Abraham Baldwin Golden Stallions
* Blue Mountain Christian Toppers
* Brewton–Parker Barons
* Dalton State Roadrunners
* Faulkner Eagles
* Life Running Eagle
* Loyola Wolf Pack
* Mobile Rams
* Point Skyhawks
* Thomas Night Hawks
* UT Southern Firehawks
* William Carey Crusaders

* v
* t
* e

NAIA conferences

Single Division|

* American Midwest Conference
* Appalachian Athletic Conference†
* California Pacific Conference
* Cascade Collegiate Conference
* Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
* Continental Athletic Conference (Independent schools)
* Crossroads League
* Frontier Conference†
* Great Plains Athletic Conference†
* Great Southwest Athletic Conference
* HBCU Athletic Conference
* Heart of America Athletic Conference†
* Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference†
* Mid-South Conference†
* Red River Athletic Conference
* River States Conference
* Sooner Athletic Conference†
* Southern States Athletic Conference
* Sun Conference†
* Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference

Football-only|

* Mid-States Football Association†
* NAIA independent football schools†

Lacrosse-only|

* National Women's Lacrosse League

† Conference sponsors football
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template