Introduction
The Peach Belt Conference (PBC) is the NCAA Division II athletics conference for institutions located in the southeastern United States. It is one of two Division II conferences in the NCAA, with the other being the South Atlantic Conferenece (also known as the “SAC”). The PBC was established in 1992 and currently consists of fifteen member institutions located in eight states, including the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Augusta State University, and Georgia College and State University, among others.
History of the Conference
The Peach Belt Conferenece was established in 1992 with six original members. Since then, the Conferenece has grown to its current fifteen-team structure, featuring institutions from Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The Conferenece has seen varying success in the years since it was founded, with several of its member institutions winning national championships in various sports. Notable accomplishments include six basketball championships, six golf championships, and four wrestling titles.
Sports and Member Institutions
The fifteen current member institutions of the Peach Belt Conference compete across twelve different sports: baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling. Each institution is assigned to a geographic division, with the East Division consisting of Augusta State University, Columbus State University, Georgia College & State University, North Carolina-Pembroke, UNC-Asheville, and Armstrong Atlantic State University, while the West Division consists of University of North Carolina-Greensboro, University of South Carolina Aiken, Francis Marion University, Clayton State University, Lander University, and University of Montevallo. The Conferenece also has six associate members which compete in some of its sports: Emmanuel College (baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross-country, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s tennis, and men’s and women’s track and field), Lincoln Memorial University (baseball and softball), Shorter University (baseball and softball), Tusculum College (baseball and women’s basketball) Carson-Newman University (baseball and men’s and women’s golf), and Brewton-Parker College (baseball and softball).
Rivalries and Notable Achievements
The intense rivalries between member institutions have resulted in some notable accomplishments for the Peach Belt Conference over the years. The men’s basketball team at Augusta State won three consecutive NCAA Division II National Titles from 2008 to 2010, while their women’s basketball team also captured the 2010 national title. Additionally, the North Carolina-Pembroke Braves have won nine NCAA Division II National Titles, making them the most decorated team in the Conference’s history.
In addition, there are several rivalries within the Conference that rank among the most intense in Division II sports. These include the annual “Battle of the Border” series between Augusta State and Georgia College & State University, the “Dogfight” between the UNC-Pembroke Braves and the Francis Marion Patriots, the “Bishop’s Brawl” between UNC-Asheville and UNCP, and the “Battle of the Generals” between North Carolina-Pembroke and Lincoln Memorial University. These fiercely fought rivalries create an exciting atmosphere and have resulted in notable success for the Conference over the years.
Governance and Scheduling
The Conferenece is co-governed by a Commissioner and an Executive Board. The Commissioner is responsible for all Conferenece administration and oversees scheduling, championships, and other league activities. The Executive Board is comprised of the presidents, athletics directors, and faculty representatives from each member institution. The Executive Board meets twice per year and is responsible for all major decisions regarding the Conferenece, such as budgeting, sponsorship, and the addition of new member institutions.
The Conferenece operates on a round-robin scheduling format, meaning each team plays every other team at least once during the regular season. Teams will then be seeded based on their record and compete in an eight-team conference tournament. The winner of the tournament is the Conferenece champion and is eligible for automatic qualification to the NCAA Division II Tournament.
Role and Impact
The Peach Belt Conference is an important part of the college athletics landscape in the southeastern United States. Its member institutions provide an outstanding level of competition and often produce teams that compete on the national stage. Additionally, the Conferenece has generated significant interest and financial support from the local and national community, helping to create an exciting atmosphere and vibrant fan base for the Conference’s member institutions.
In addition, the Conference is an important part of the NCAA Division II landscape. The Conferenece is one of two Division II Conferences in the South Atlantic region and its teams are heavily represented in the NCAA Division II Basketball Tournament, the largest Division II event of the year. The Conferenece also fields many teams that finish in the top 25 of the national rankings, showing the competitive strength and depth of the Conferenece.
Future Prospects
The future of the Conference looks bright. The Conferenece recently welcomed two new member institutions in Georgia Southwestern State University and UNC-Pembroke and has seen an increase in attendance and fan interest in recent years. Additionally, the Conferenece is one of the most competitive in the country, with teams from the Conferenece capturing eight National Championships in the past decade. As such, it is well-positioned to continue to represent the southeastern United States at the highest level and should remain a major player in college athletics for years to come.
The Peach Belt Conference is a vibrant and important part of Division II athletics, providing excellent competition and memorable sporting experiences to college sports fans. With its passionate fans and deep-rooted rivalries, the Conferenece is sure to remain a major player in the college athletics landscape for many years to come.