Introduction to the Sun Conference

The Sun Conference (formerly known as the NAIA Sun Conference), is an NCAA Division II conference composed of ten universities and colleges located in the Southeast and Midwest United States. It was founded in the early 1980s and consists of member institutions located in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The conference is a part of the NCAA Division II and is one of only a handful of Division II conferences with an emphasis on academics, athletics, and faith-based education.

History of the Sun Conference

The Sun Conference was formed in 1982, when the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) divided its Division I membership into two divisions: Division I and Division II. The first seven members of the conference were Florida Southern College, Florida State College at Jacksonville, Nova Southeastern University, Palm Beach Junior College, Rollins College, St. Petersburg College, and the University of West Florida.

In 1985, the conference was reorganized, with nine members joining to form the NAIA Sun Conference, which would become the largest NAIA conference in the region. When the NAIA began to assume the responsibility for administering Division II sports in 2001, the conference changed its name to the Sun Conference. The current ten-member conference consists of eight public universities and two private universities.

Member Institutions and Sports

The ten institutions that make up the Sun Conference are Auburn University Montgomery, Edward Waters College, Flagler College, Florida Memorial University, Nova Southeastern University, University of North Florida (UNF), University of South Carolina–Aiken, Valdosta State University, University of West Florida (UWF), and Florida Southern College.

• Auburn University Montgomery
• Edward Waters College
• Flagler College
• Florida Memorial University
• Nova Southeastern University
• University of North Florida
• University of South Carolina–Aiken
• Valdosta State University
• University of West Florida
• Florida Southern College

The Sun Conference sponsors championships in the following sports: men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s golf, and men’s and women’s tennis. The conference also sponsors two additional sports: women’s volleyball and women’s bowling.

Notable Achievements

The Sun Conference has produced some outstanding teams and athletes, with many teams making it to the Final Four and winning national championships. The conference is also home to some of the top ranked players in their respective sports in the country. One of the Sun Conference’s most successful teams in recent years is the Florida Southern Moccasins, who won the national championship in men’s soccer in 2017 and achieved a program-best No. 2 ranking in the rankings during the same season. Additionally, Nova Southeastern had a great 2016 season when its men’s golf team captured the NCAA Division II national championship.

Rivalries within the Conference

The Sun Conference is home to some of the biggest rivalries in college sports. One of the most notable is the rivalry between Florida Southern and Rollins College. This rivalry has been ongoing since the two schools joined the conference in 1982, and has extended beyond the athletic field into the classroom, as students from both schools compete for academic honors. Additionally, there is a notable rivalry between University of North Florida and University of West Florida, as the two schools are located in the same metropolitan area.

Conference Operation

The Sun Conference operates under the NCAA Division II guidelines. Each school in the conference is responsible for the governance and oversight of its own athletic programs, but they all work together in planning and scheduling conference events and championships. The conference holds a variety of championship events each year, including men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s tennis, women’s volleyball, and women’s bowling.

The conference also administers a wide range of educational, leadership, and character-building initiatives, as well as athletic events such as the Sun Conference Academic All-Conference teams and the Sun Conference Hall of Fame.

Role of the Conference and its Impact

The Sun Conference has had a significant impact on the sports landscape in the Southeast and Midwest United States, as it has provided hundreds of student-athletes with the opportunity to pursue their athletics goals while earning an education. The conference has also had a positive impact on its member institutions, as they are able to recruit high-quality athletes that often have a positive influence on the school’s reputation. It has also had a major impact on the local economy, as the conference sees millions of dollars in revenue generated from the hosting of championship events and other conference activities.

Future Prospects of the Sun Conference

The Sun Conference seems to be continuing its growth, with recent announcements confirming the possible addition of two new members to the conference in the future. The conference also continues to stay on the cutting edge of collegiate athletics, as it has implemented initiatives such as the NCAA Division II Bar Exam program and joint conference championships with the Peach Belt Conference and Gulf South Conference. It appears that the Sun Conference will continue to be a leading Division II conference in the years to come.

Conclusion

The Sun Conference has established itself as one of the top Division II athletic conferences in the country. With its strong member institutions, successful teams, and commitment to academics, the conference has seen nothing but success since its formation in 1982. The future of the Sun Conference looks promising, as the conference continues to adapt to a changing landscape and expand its core values and offerings. With its notable achievements and future prospects, the Sun Conference is sure to remain a leader in collegiate sports for years to come.