Mid-South Conference

Last updated
Mid-South Conference
Mid-South Conference logo.png
Association NAIA
Founded1987
CommissionerEric Leach (since July 1, 2023)
Sports fielded
  • 26
    • men's: 13
    • women's: 13
No. of teams7
Headquarters Bowling Green, Kentucky
Region Kentucky & Tennessee
Official website mid-southconference.org
Locations
MSC-USA-states.PNG

The Mid-South Conference (MSC) is a college athletic conference affiliated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Member institutions are located in Kentucky and Tennessee. The league is headquartered in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and the commissioner is Eric Leach.

Contents

The Mid-South Conference has 7 full members: Bethel (TN), Campbellsville, Cumberland (TN), Cumberlands (KY), Freed–Hardeman, Georgetown College (KY) and Lindsey Wilson. Six of these members sponsor football; Freed–Hardeman does not.

The Mid-South Conference also has six associate members that compete primarily in other conferences. Faulkner, Kentucky Christian, Union and recently former member Bluefield are associate members of the MSC for football and men's volleyball, and Reinhardt is an associate member of the MSC for football and men's volleyball. This gave the conference 13 members for football. In the spring of 2016, the conference expanded to 20 members, adding the six football members of the Sun Conference, as well as Faulkner University for football, [1] On January 4, 2018, the conference added Keiser University for football, [2] and St. Thomas announced in July they were joining the conference for football in 2019. [3] Another Sun Conference member, Florida Memorial in Miami Gardens, Florida, joined the MSC as an affiliate member for football in 2020, after re-adding the sport. [4]

History

Mid-South Conference
Mid-South Conference
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150km
100miles
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Campbellsville
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Freed–Hardeman
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Bethel
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Lindsey Wilson
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Cumberland
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Georgetown
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Cumberlands
Location of Mid-South members: Blue pog.svg current

In April 2018, Thomas More University (then Thomas More College), which had been an NAIA member before moving to NCAA Division III in 1990, announced that it had been formally invited to re-join the NAIA in the 2019–20 academic year as a member of the Mid-South Conference. The school, while acknowledging that it was considering this move, denied published reports that it had accepted the invitation. [5] Thomas More eventually confirmed in July that it would join the Mid-South in 2019. [6]

In 2020, Bethel University became a Mid-South full member, brought track and field back to the MSC, and transferred all sports other than football and archery to the conference (prior to that, Bethel was an associate member of the MSC for football and archery only); additionally, Freed–Hardeman and UT Southern, then known as Martin Methodist College, also joined Mid-South. [7]

In December 2020, Life University also announced its departure from the MSC for the Southern States Athletic Conference in 2022–23. [8]

Most recently, Thomas More announced in August 2021 that it would return to the NCAA, but this time in Division II as a member of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC). It joined the G-MAC as a provisional member in July 2022, but continued as an NAIA member and in the Mid-South through 2022–23, after which it started G-MAC competition. [9] Later, the Sun Conference announced on December 22, 2021, that it would reinstate football starting with the 2022 season. [10] Then in July 2022, the Appalachian Athletic Conference announced it would add football as a sponsored sport. [11]

Chronological timeline

  • 1987 – The Mid-South Conference (MSC) was founded as a football-only conference. Charter members included Campbellsville College (now Campbellsville University), Cumberland College of Kentucky (now the University of the Cumberlands), Georgetown College and Union College, beginning the 1987 fall season (1987–88 academic year).
  • 1988 – The University of Evansville joined the conference in the 1988 fall season (1988–89 academic year).
  • 1989 – Kentucky Wesleyan College and Tennessee Wesleyan University joined the conference in the 1989 fall season (1989–90 academic year).
  • 1990 – Kentucky Wesleyan dropped out of the conference after the 1989 fall season (1989–90 academic year).
  • 1990 – Cumberland College of Tennessee (now Cumberland University) and Lambuth University joined the Mid-South in the 1990 fall season (1990–91 academic year).
  • 1991 – Cumberland College and Tennessee Wesleyan departed from the conference after the 1990 fall season (1990–91 academic year).
  • 1991 – Tusculum University joined the Mid-South in the 1991 fall season (1991–92 academic year).
  • 1992 – Evansville left the Mid-South after the 1991 fall season (1991–92 academic year).
  • 1995 – The Mid-South became a multi-sport conference. North Greenville College (now North Greenville University) joined the conference beginning the 1995–96 academic year, while Bethel College of Tennessee joined as an affiliate member for football (with Cumberland College rejoining as well).
  • 1996 – Tusculum departed from the conference as a football affiliate after the 1995 fall season (1995–96 academic year).
  • 1996 – Cumberland College and Lambuth moved their other sports to the Mid-South as full members for the 1996–97 academic year.
  • 1997 – Bethel (Tenn.) left the Mid-South as an affiliate member for football after the 1996 fall season (1996–97 academic year).
  • 2000 – Lindsey Wilson College and Pikeville College (now the University of Pikeville; a.k.a. UPike) joined the Mid-South in the 2000–01 academic year.
  • 2001 – North Greenville left the Mid-South to join the Division II ranks of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as an NCAA D-II Independent after the 2000–01 academic year.
  • 2002 – Two institutions left the Mid-South as full members to join their respective new home primary conferences: Cumberland (Tenn.) to the TranSouth Athletic Conference (TranSouth or TSAC), and Union (Ky.) to the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC), while they remained in the conference as affiliate members for football and some Olympic sports after the 2001–02 academic year.
  • 2003 – Kentucky Wesleyan rejoined the MSC as an affiliate member for football in the 2004 fall season (2004–05 academic year).
  • 2004 – The University of Virginia's College at Wise (UVA Wise) joined the Mid-South as an affiliate member for football with Bethel (Tenn.) rejoining for football and some Olympic sports in the 2003 fall season (2003–04 academic year).
  • 2006 – Lambuth left the Mid-South as a full member, while remaining in the conference as an affiliate member for football after the 2005–06 academic year.
  • 2006 – West Virginia University Institute of Technology (West Virginia Tech or WVU Tech) joined the Mid-South in the 2006–07 academic year. Kentucky Wesleyan quit again.
  • 2008 – St. Catharine College joined the Mid-South in the 2008–09 academic year.
  • 2009 – The University of Rio Grande joined the Mid-South in the 2009–10 academic year.
  • 2010 – Lambuth left the Mid-South as an affiliate member for football after the 2009 fall season (2009–10 academic year).
  • 2010 – Shawnee State University joined the Mid-South (with UVA Wise joining for all sports) in the 2010–11 academic year.
  • 2012 – West Virginia Tech left the Mid-South to become an NAIA Independent (which would later join the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC; now known as the River States Conference) beginning the 2015–16 academic year) after the 2011–12 academic year.
  • 2012 – Bluefield College (now Bluefield University) joined the Mid-South (with Cumberland (Tenn.) rejoining for all sports) in the 2012–13 academic year.
  • 2013 – UVA Wise left the Mid-South and the NAIA entirely to fully align with the NCAA Division II ranks, while joining the Mountain East Conference after spending provisionally one season in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) after the 2012–13 academic year.
  • 2014 – Bluefield left the Mid-South as a full member to rejoin the AAC, while remaining in the conference as an affiliate member for football and some Olympic sports after the 2013–14 academic year.
  • 2014 – Rio Grande left the Mid-South to join the KIAC after the 2013–14 academic year.
  • 2014 – Life University joined the Mid-South in the 2014–15 academic year.
  • 2016 – St. Catherine's left the Mid-South as the school announced that it would close after the 2015–16 academic year.
  • 2019 – Thomas More University joined the Mid-South in the 2019–20 academic year.
  • 2020 – Freed–Hardeman University and Martin Methodist College (now the University of Tennessee Southern) joined the Mid-South (with Bethel (Tenn.) joining for all sports) in the 2020–21 academic year.
  • 2022 – Life would leave the Mid-South to join the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) beginning the 2022–23 academic year.
  • 2022 – Thomas More returned to the NCAA, but in the NCAA Division II ranks and joined the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) as a provisional member in the 2022–23 academic year. Until then, they would remain committed in the Mid-South and the NAIA, until full membership in the G-MAC and NCAA D-II would begin in the 2023–24 academic year.
  • 2022 – Wilberforce University joined the Mid-South in the 2022–23 academic year.
  • 2023 – Four institutions left the Mid-South to join their respective new home primary conferences: Shawnee State to the RSC, Pikeville (UPike) to the AAC, with UT Southern going back to the SSAC, and Wilberforce became an NAIA Independent, all beginning the 2023–24 academic year.

Member schools

Current members

The Mid-South currently has seven full members, all are private schools:

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoined [lower-alpha 1]
Bethel University McKenzie, Tennessee 1842 Cumberland
Presbyterian 		2,975 Wildcats 2020 [lower-alpha 2]
Campbellsville University Campbellsville, Kentucky 1906 Baptist 3,318 Tigers 1987
Cumberland University Lebanon, Tennessee 1842 Nonsectarian 1,345 Phoenix 1996;
2012 [lower-alpha 3]
University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg, Kentucky 1889 Nondenominational 1,743 Patriots 1987
Freed–Hardeman University Henderson, Tennessee 1869 Churches of Christ 2,050+ Lions 2020
Georgetown College Georgetown, Kentucky 1829Baptist1,400 Tigers 1987
Lindsey Wilson College Columbia, Kentucky 1903 United Methodist 2,677 Blue Raiders 2000
Notes
  1. ↑ Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
  2. ↑ Bethel (TN) left the Mid-South after the 1996 fall season (1996–97 season) for football; later re-joined in the 2003 fall season (2003–04 school year). It also added archery during the 2017–18 school year. In the 2020 fall season (2020–21 school year), Bethel moved track & field back to the Mid-South after initially joining as an affiliate from 2007–08 to 2012–13, and transferred all other sports to the conference as a full member.
  3. ↑ Cumberland (TN) left the Mid-South after the 2001–02 school year to join the TranSouth Athletic Conference (TranSouth); before re-joining the Mid-South, which transferred all other sports to the conference as a full member in the 2012–13 school year


Affiliate members

The Mid-South currently has 23 associate members, all are private schools:

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoined [lower-alpha 1] Mid-South
sport		Primary
conference
Ave Maria University [lower-alpha 2] Ave Maria, Florida 2003 Catholic
(Diocese of Venice)		1,200 Gyrenes 2018w.lax.women's lacrosse The Sun
Bluefield University [lower-alpha 3] [lower-alpha 4] Bluefield, Virginia 1922 Baptist 793 Rams 2018m.vb.men's volleyball Appalachian (AAC)
Blue Mountain College Blue Mountain, Mississippi 1873 Baptist 505 Toppers 2019m.bw.
2019w.bw.		men's bowling
women's bowling		 Southern States (SSAC)
Brewton–Parker College [lower-alpha 5] Mount Vernon, Georgia 1904 Baptist 1,050 Barons 2015m.wr.
2017w.wr.		men's wrestling
women's wrestling		 Southern States (SSAC)
Faulkner University Montgomery, Alabama 1942 Churches of Christ 2,212 Eagles 2008football Southern States (SSAC)
Indiana Institute of Technology Fort Wayne, Indiana 1930Nonsectarian7,000 Warriors 2020women's wrestling Wolverine–Hoosier (WHAC)
Indiana Wesleyan University Marion, Indiana 1920 Wesleyan Church 2,969 Wildcats 2018women's swimming Crossroads
Keiser University West Palm Beach, Florida 1977Nonsectarian16,760 Seahawks 2018w.lax.
2019m.wr.		women's lacrosse
men's wrestling		 The Sun
Kentucky Christian University [lower-alpha 6] Grayson, Kentucky 1919 Christian 550 Knights 2017arch.archery Appalachian (AAC)
Lourdes University Sylvania, Ohio 1958Catholic1,500 Gray Wolves 2020women's wrestling Wolverine–Hoosier (WHAC)
Loyola University New Orleans New Orleans, Louisiana 1904Catholic
(Jesuit)		4,858 Wolf Pack 2016m.sw.
2016w.sw.		men's swimming
women's swimming		 Southern States (SSAC)
Marian University [lower-alpha 7] Indianapolis, Indiana 1851Catholic
(S.S.F.)		3,595 Knights 2018women's lacrosse Crossroads
Midway University Midway, Kentucky 1847 Disciples of Christ 1,800 Eagles 2018m.vb.
2018m.wr.
2019m.bw.
2019w.bw.
2020m.sw.
2020w.sw.		men's volleyball
men's wrestling
men's bowling
women's bowling
men's swimming
women's swimming		 River States (RSC)
Reinhardt University [lower-alpha 8] Waleska, Georgia 1883United Methodist1,057 Eagles 2019m.vb.men's volleyball Appalachian (AAC)
University of Rio Grande [lower-alpha 9] [lower-alpha 10] Rio Grande, Ohio 1876Nonsectarian1,893 RedStorm 2020m.wr.
2021m.vb.		men's wrestling
men's volleyball		 River States (RSC)
St. Andrews University [lower-alpha 11] Laurinburg, North Carolina 1896 Presbyterian
(PCUSA)		600 Knights 2018m.vb.
2020w.wr.		men's volleyball
women's wrestling		 Appalachian (AAC)
St. Thomas University Miami Gardens, Florida 1961Catholic
(Archdiocese of Miami)		4,674 Bobcats 2020men's wrestling The Sun
Southeastern University Lakeland, Florida 1935 Assemblies of God 7,000 Fire 2015men's wrestling The Sun
Tennessee Wesleyan University Athens, Tennessee 1857United Methodist1,103 Bulldogs 2015m.bw.
2015w.bw.		men's bowling
women's bowling		 Appalachian (AAC)
Truett McConnell University [lower-alpha 12] Cleveland, Georgia 1946 Baptist 1,600 Eagles 2020men's volleyball Appalachian (AAC)
Union College [lower-alpha 13] [lower-alpha 14] Barbourville, Kentucky 1879United Methodist1,350 Bulldogs 2012m.bw.
2012w.bw.
2018arch.		men's bowling
women's bowling
archery		 Appalachian (AAC)
Warner University Lake Wales, Florida 1968 Church of God 1,037 Royals 2018men's volleyball The Sun
Webber International University Babson Park, Florida 1927Nonsectarian616 Warriors 2018m.vb.
2020w.lax.		men's volleyball
women's lacrosse		 The Sun
Notes
  1. ↑ Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
  2. ↑ Ave Maria competed in the Mid-South as an affiliate member for football from the 2017 to 2021 fall seasons (2017–18 to 2021–22 school years).
  3. ↑ Bluefield was a full member of the Mid-South from 2012–13 to 2013–14.
  4. ↑ Bluefield competed in the Mid-South as an affiliate member for football from the 2014 to 2021 fall seasons (2014–15 to 2021–22 school years).
  5. ↑ Brewton–Parker competed in the Mid-South as an affiliate member for men's volleyball during the 2019 spring season (2018–19 school year).
  6. ↑ Kentucky Christian competed in the Mid-South as an affiliate member for baseball and softball from the 2018 to 2019 spring seasons (2017–18 to 2018–19 school years; and for football from the 2009 to 2021 fall seasons (2009–10 to 2021–22 school years).
  7. ↑ Marian (Ind.) competed in the Mid-South as an affiliate member for men's and women's bowling from 2019–20 to 2020–21.
  8. ↑ Reinhardt competed in the Mid-South as an affiliate member for football from the 2013 to 2021 fall seasons (2013–14 to 2021–22 school years).
  9. ↑ Rio Grande was a full member of the Mid-South from 2009–10 to 2013–14.
  10. ↑ Rio Grande competed in the Mid-South as an affiliate member for men's and women's swimming during the 2020–21 school year.
  11. ↑ St. Andrews competed in the Mid-South as an affiliate member for men's wrestling from 2015–16 to 2016–17; and for football from the 2017 to 2021 fall seasons (2017–18 to 2021–22 school years).
  12. ↑ Truett McConnell competed in the Mid-South as an affiliate member for men's wrestling from 2015–16 to 2016–17.
  13. ↑ Union (Ky.) was a full member of the Mid-South from 1995–96 to 2001–02.
  14. ↑ Union (Ky.) competed in the Mid-South as an affiliate member for football from the 1987 to 1994 and 2002 to 2021 fall seasons (1987–88 to 1994–95 and 2002–03 to 2021–22 school years).

Former members

The Mid-South has fourteen former full members, all but three are private schools:

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoined [lower-alpha 1] Left [lower-alpha 2] Subsequent
conference		Current
conference
Bluefield College [lower-alpha 3] [lower-alpha 4] Bluefield, Virginia 1922 Baptist 793 Rams 20122014 Appalachian (AAC)
(2014–present)
Lambuth University [lower-alpha 5] Jackson, Tennessee 1843 United
Methodist 		N/A Eagles 19962006 TranSouth (TSAC)
(2006–09)
NAIA/D-II Independent
(2009–11)		Closed in 2011
Life University Marietta, Georgia 1974Nonsectarian2,800 Running
Eagles 		20142022 Southern States (SSAC)
(2022–present)
North Greenville College [lower-alpha 6] Tigerville, South Carolina 1891 Baptist 2,100 Crusaders [lower-alpha 7] 19952001 D-II Independent
(2001–11)		 Carolinas (CC) [lower-alpha 8]
(2011–present)
University of Pikeville Pikeville, Kentucky 1889Presbyterian
(PCUSA)		2,268 Bears 20002023 Appalachian (AAC)
(2023–present)
University of Rio Grande [lower-alpha 9] Rio Grande, Ohio 1876Nonsectarian1,893 RedStorm 20092014 River States (RSC)
(2014–present)
Shawnee State University Portsmouth, Ohio 1986Public4,300 Bears 20102023 River States (RSC)
(2023–present)
St. Catharine College St. Catharine, Kentucky 1873 Catholic
(D.S.P.)		N/A Patriots 20082016Closed in 2016
Thomas More University Crestview Hills, Kentucky 1921 Catholic 1,963 Saints 20212023 [lower-alpha 10] Great Midwest (G-MAC) [lower-alpha 8]
(2023–present)
Union College [lower-alpha 11] Barbourville, Kentucky 1879United
Methodist		1,368 Bulldogs 19952002 Appalachian (AAC)
(2002–present)
University of Tennessee Southern [12] Pulaski, Tennessee 1870 Historically Methodist 757 FireHawks 20202023 Southern States (SSAC)
(2023–present)
University of Virginia's College at Wise Wise, Virginia 1954Public2,000 Highland
Cavaliers [lower-alpha 12] 		20102013 [lower-alpha 13] various [lower-alpha 14] South Atlantic (SAC) [lower-alpha 8]
(2019–present)
West Virginia University Institute of Technology Montgomery, West Virginia [lower-alpha 15] 1895Public2,252 Golden
Bears 		20062012 USCAA/NAIA Independent
(2012–15)		 River States (RSC)
(2015–present)
Wilberforce University Wilberforce, Ohio 1856 A.M.E. Church [lower-alpha 16] 900 Bulldogs 20222023 Continental (CAC)
(2023–present)
Notes
  1. ↑ Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
  2. ↑ Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition ends.
  3. ↑ Currently known as Bluefield University since 2021.
  4. ↑ Bluefield still remains as a member of the Mid-South for football and men's volleyball in the 2014–15 school year.
  5. ↑ Lambuth still remained as a member of the Mid-South for football from 2006–07 to 2009–10 and previously from 1990–91 to 1995–96.
  6. ↑ Currently known as North Greenville University since 2006.
  7. ↑ North Greenville adopted its current nickname of Trailblazers in 2024.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Currently an NCAA Division II athletic conference.
  9. ↑ Rio Grande still remains in the Mid-South as an affiliate member for men's volleyball and men's wrestling since the 2020–21 school year.
  10. ↑ Thomas More left the CCAC after the 2022–23 school year. Initially the school joined the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) as a provisional member for most sports as a transitional NCAA Division II member school during 2022–23; but was fulfilling its commitments to the final year of competition in the Mid-South and in the NAIA.
  11. ↑ Union (Ky.) still remains in the Mid-South as an affiliate member for football since the 2002–03 school year.
  12. ↑ UVA Wise dropped "Highland" from its athletic nickname in 2017.
  13. 1 2 UVA Wise left the Mid-South after the 2012–13 school year. Originally it joined the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) as a charter member for most sports as a transitional NCAA Division II member school during the 2012–13 school year, but was fulfilling its commitments to the final year of competition in the Mid-South and in the NAIA. However it has never began competition as a full G-MAC member, as it would later announce that it would join the Mountain East Conference (MEC) beginning the 2013–14 school year.
  14. ↑ UVA Wise had joined the following subsequent conferences: the Great Midwest Athletic Conference [lower-alpha 8] [lower-alpha 13] (G-MAC) during the 2012–13 school year; and the Mountain East Conference [lower-alpha 8] (MEC) from 2013–14 to 2018–19.
  15. ↑ WVU Tech's campus is now in Beckley, West Virginia, but was in Montgomery during the school's tenure in the Mid-South Conference.
  16. ↑ Also a Historically black college and university.

Former affiliate members

The Mid-South had 28 associate members, all but two were private schools:

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoined [lower-alpha 1] Left [lower-alpha 2] Mid-South
sport		Primary
conference
Ave Maria University [lower-alpha 3] Ave Maria, Florida 2003 Catholic
(Diocese
of Venice)		1,200 Gyrenes 20172022football The Sun
Belhaven University Jackson, Mississippi 1894 Presbyterian 3,245 Blazers 19982015football C.C. South (CCS)
[lower-alpha 4]
Bethel University [lower-alpha 5] McKenzie, Tennessee 1842 Cumberland
Presbyterian 		2,975 Wildcats 1996 &
2003fb.
2007t.f.
2012m.bw.
2012w.bw.
2017arch.		1997 &
2020fb.
2013t.f.
2020m.bw.
2020w.bw.
2020arch.		football
track & field
men's bowling
women's bowing
archery		Mid-South (MSC)
Bluefield University [lower-alpha 6] [lower-alpha 7] Bluefield, Virginia 1922 Baptist 793 Rams 20142022football Appalachian (AAC)
Brewton–Parker College [lower-alpha 8] Mount Vernon, Georgia 1904 Baptist 1,050 Barons 20182019men's volleyball Southern States (SSAC)
Cincinnati Christian University Cincinnati, Ohio 1924 Christian N/A Eagles 2015fb.
2018m.vb.		2019fb.
2019m.vb.		football
men's volleyball		N/A [lower-alpha 9]
Cumberland University [lower-alpha 10] Lebanon, Tennessee 1842Nonsectarian1,345 Bulldogs [lower-alpha 11] 20022012footballMid-South (MSC)
Edward Waters University Jacksonville, Florida 1866 AME Church 966 Tigers 20172019football Southern (SIAC) [lower-alpha 12]
University of Evansville Evansville, Indiana 1854 United
Methodist 		2,500 Purple Aces 19881992football Missouri Valley (MVC) [lower-alpha 13]
Florida Memorial University Miami Gardens, Florida 1879 Baptist 1,784 Lions 20202022football The Sun
Kentucky Christian University [lower-alpha 14] Grayson, Kentucky 1919 Christian 550 Knights 2017bsb.
2017sfb.
2009fb.		2019bsb.
2019sfb.
2022fb.		baseball
softball
football		 Appalachian (AAC)
Kentucky Wesleyan College Owensboro, Kentucky 1858 United
Methodist 		830 Panthers 1989;
2004		1990;
2006		football Great Midwest (G-MAC) [lower-alpha 12]
Lambuth University [lower-alpha 15] Jackson, Tennessee 1843United
Methodist		N/A Eagles 1990;
2006		1995
2010		footballClosed in 2011
Lincoln College Lincoln, Illinois 1865Nonsectarian800 Lynx 2021m.sw.
2021w.sw.		2022m.sw.
2022w.sw.		men's swimming
women's swimming		Closed in 2022
Lindenwood University–Belleville Belleville, Illinois 2003CatholicN/A Lynx 2015m.sw.
2015w.sw.
2017w.wr.		2019m.sw.
2019w.sw.
2019w.wr.		men's swimming
women's swimming
women's wrestling		Closed in 2020
Marian University [lower-alpha 16] Indianapolis, Indiana 1851Catholic
(Sisters of
St. Francis)		3,595 Knights 2019m.bw.
2019w.bw.		2021m.bw.
2021w.bw.		men's bowling
women's bowling		 Crossroads
Martin Methodist College [lower-alpha 17] Pulaski, Tennessee 1870Public1,000 RedHawks [lower-alpha 18] 2015m.bw.
2015w.bw.		2020m.bw.
2020w.bw.		men's bowling
women's bowling		Mid-South (MSC)
Midland University Fremont, Nebraska 1883 Lutheran ELCA 1,394 Warriors 2017m.sw.
2017w.sw.		2019m.sw.
2019w.sw.		men's swimming
women's swimming		 Great Plains (GPAC)
Point University West Point, Georgia 1937 Christian 1,450 Skyhawks 20172022football Appalachian (AAC)
Reinhardt University [lower-alpha 19] Waleska, Georgia 1883United
Methodist		1,057 Eagles 20132022football Appalachian (AAC)
University of Rio Grande [lower-alpha 20] Rio Grande, Ohio 1876Nonsectarian1,893 RedStorm 2020m.sw.
2020w.sw.		2021m.sw.
2021w.sw.		men's swimming
women's swimming		 River States (RSC)
St. Andrews University [lower-alpha 21] Laurinburg, North Carolina 1896 Presbyterian
(PCUSA)		600 Knights 2015m.wr.
2017fb.		2017m.wr.
2022fb.		men's wrestling
football		 Appalachian (AAC)
Shorter University Rome, Georgia 1873 Baptist 1,520 Hawks 2005fb.
2007t.f.		2012fb.
2012t.f.		football
track & field		 Gulf South (GSC) [lower-alpha 12]
Tennessee Wesleyan University Athens, Tennessee 1857United Methodist1,103 Bulldogs 19891991football Appalachian (AAC)
Truett McConnell University Cleveland, Georgia 1946 Baptist 1,600 Eagles 20152017men's wrestling Appalachian (AAC)
Tusculum University Tusculum, Tennessee 1794 Presbyterian 2,053 Pioneers 19911996football South Atlantic (SAC) [lower-alpha 12]
Union College [lower-alpha 22] Barbourville, Kentucky 1879United
Methodist		1,350 Bulldogs 1987;
2002		1995;
2022		football Appalachian (AAC)
University of Virginia's College at Wise [lower-alpha 23] Wise, Virginia 1954Public2,000 Highland
Cavaliers [lower-alpha 24] 		20022010football South Atlantic (SAC) [lower-alpha 12]
Notes
  1. ↑ Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
  2. ↑ Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition ends.
  3. ↑ Ave Maria remains in the Mid-South as an affiliate member for women's lacrosse.
  4. ↑ Currently an NCAA Division III athletic conference.
  5. ↑ Bethel (Tenn.) re-joined the Mid-South during the 2020–21 school year and transferred all other sports to the conference as a full member.
  6. ↑ Bluefield was a full member of the Mid-South from 2012–13 to 2013–14.
  7. ↑ Bluefield remains in the Mid-South as an affiliate member for men's volleyball.
  8. ↑ Brewton–Parker remains in the Mid-South as an affiliate member for men's and women's wrestling.
  9. ↑ Cincinnati Christian closed at the end of the 2019 fall semester, without completing the rest of the 2019–20 school year.
  10. ↑ Cumberland (Tenn.) was a full member of the Mid-South in 1990–91 and from 1995–96 to 2001–02, before re-joining the Mid-South in the 2012–13 school year.
  11. ↑ Cumberland (Tenn.) changed its nickname from Bulldogs to Phoenix in 2016.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 Currently an NCAA Division II athletic conference.
  13. ↑ Currently an NCAA Division I conference.
  14. ↑ Kentucky Christian remains in the Mid-South as an affiliate member for archery.
  15. ↑ Lambuth was a full member of the Mid-South from 1995–96 to 2005–06.
  16. ↑ Marian (Ind.) remains in the Mid-South as an affiliate member for men's volleyball, men's wrestling, men's and women's bowling, and men's and women's swimming.
  17. ↑ Martin Methodist joined the Mid-South during the 2020–21 school year and transferred all other sports to the conference as a full member. In July 2021, Martin Methodist joined the University of Tennessee system to become the University of Tennessee Southern.
  18. ↑ Martin Methodist (now UT Southern) changed its nickname from RedHawks to FireHawks in 2021.
  19. ↑ Reinhardt remains in the Mid-South as an affiliate member for men's volleyball.
  20. ↑ Rio Grande was a full member of the Mid-South from 2009–10 to 2013–14; but still remains in the Mid-South as an affiliate member for men's wrestling and men's volleyball.
  21. ↑ St. Andrews remains in the Mid-South as an affiliate member for men's volleyball and women's wrestling.
  22. ↑ Union (Ky.) was a full member of the Mid-South from 1995–96 to 2001–02; but still remains in the Mid-South as an affiliate member for archery and men's & women's bowling
  23. ↑ UVA Wise later became a full member of the Mid-South from 2010–11 to 2012–13
  24. ↑ UVA Wise dropped "Highland" from its athletic nickname in 2017.

Membership timeline

Wilberforce UniversityLincoln College (Illinois)Freed–Hardeman UniversityTruett McConnell UniversitySt. Thomas University (Florida)Lourdes UniversityIndiana Institute of TechnologyFlorida Memorial UniversityBlue Mountain CollegeGreat Midwest Athletic ConferenceThomas More UniversityWebber International UniversityWarner UniversityMidway UniversityMarian University (Indiana)Keiser UniversityIndiana Wesleyan UniversityAve Maria UniversityPoint UniversityMidland UniversityEdward Waters UniversityLoyola University New OrleansSouthern States Athletic ConferenceUniversity of Tennessee SouthernTennessee Wesleyan UniversitySt. Andrews University (North Carolina)Lindenwood University – BellevilleCincinnati Christian UniversityBrewton–Parker CollegeSouthern States Athletic ConferenceLife UniversityReinhardt UniversityAppalachian Athletic ConferenceBluefield UniversityRiver States ConferenceShawnee State UniversityKentucky Christian UniversityRiver States ConferenceUniversity of Rio GrandeFaulkner UniversitySt. Catherine CollegeRiver States ConferenceNAIA independent schoolsWest Virginia University Institute of TechnologyShorter UniversitySouth Atlantic ConferenceMountain East ConferenceUniversity of Virginia's College at WiseAppalachian Athletic ConferenceUniversity of PikevilleLindsey Wilson CollegeBelhaven UniversityBethel University (Tennessee)Conference CarolinasNCAA Division II independent schoolsNorth Greenville UniversityTusculum UniversityTranSouth Athletic ConferenceLambuth UniversityTranSouth Athletic ConferenceCumberland UniversityTennessee Wesleyan UniversityKentucky Wesleyan CollegeUniversity of EvansvilleAppalachian Athletic ConferenceUnion College (Kentucky)Georgetown CollegeUniversity of the CumberlandsCampbellsville UniversityMid-South Conference

 Full member (all sports)  Full member (non-football)  Associate member (football only)  Associate member (sport) 

Sports

Member teams compete in 28 sports: 13 men's, 13 women's and 2 mixed.

Conference sports
SportMen'sWomen'sMixed
Archery Green check.svg
Baseball Green check.svg
Basketball Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Bowling Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Cheerleading Green check.svg
Cross Country Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Football Green check.svg
Golf Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Lacrosse Green check.svg
Soccer Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Softball Green check.svg
Swimming Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Tennis Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Track & Field Indoor Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Track & Field Outdoor Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Volleyball Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Wrestling Green check.svgGreen check.svg

In addition, the Mid-South Conference also conducts championships for Esports and competitive dance. The MSC also stages invitational tournaments for junior varsity squads in the sports of men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball, and women's volleyball, if enough schools sponsor JV teams in a given year. [13]

Football divisions

Beginning with the 2017 season, The Sun Conference and Mid-South merged their football conferences into the largest football conference in college sports. [14] [15] Edward Waters was previously a full member of the Sun Conference from 2006 to 2010 and a football affiliate member from 2014 to 2016 seasons. Edward Waters left after the 2018 football season.

However, the Sun Division folded when its teams left the Mid-South after the Sun Conference reinstated football for 2022, leaving the Mid-South with 15 football members. [10] Later, the Appalachian Division folded when the AAC announced to sponsor the sport for the 2022 fall season, leaving the Mid-South with 9 football members. [11]

Notes

* - Mid-South full member ** - Mid-South affiliate member

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References

  1. ↑ Wilson, Michael (February 25, 2016). "Local teams officially join Mid-South football conference". The Lakeland Ledger. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
  2. ↑ Evenson, Johyn (October 11, 2016). "Keiser University Athletics adds football starting in 2018" . Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  3. ↑ McPherson, Jordan (August 29, 2018). "This South Florida college will have a football team. And it'll start playing next year" . Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Football Joins Mid-South Conference As Affiliate Member". fmuathletics.com. October 15, 2019. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  5. ↑ Brown, Kyle; Weber, James (April 17, 2018). "Thomas More College approved to move to NAIA beginning in 2019". Cincinnati Enquirer . Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  6. ↑ Weber, James (July 24, 2018). "Thomas More College to join the NAIA in 2019". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Bethel, Freed-Hardeman and Martin Methodist Renew Rivalries with Mid-South Conference Move". Mid-South Conference. July 25, 2019. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  8. ↑ "Life U Athletics Headed to Southern States Athletic Conference in 2022-23". Life Running Eagles. December 16, 2020. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Thomas More University Unanimously Approved for Provisional Membership to Join Great Midwest" (Press release). Great Midwest Athletic Conference. August 18, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  10. 1 2 "Football Returns to the Sun Conference in 2022". Sun Conference. December 22, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  11. 1 2 "Football, Men's Volleyball Newest Championships Sponsored by the AAC". Appalachian Athletic Conference. July 20, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Tennessee Southern Approved For SSAC Membership In 2023-24". SSAC. July 1, 2022.
  13. ↑ Mid-South Conference. "2021-22 MSC Championships" . Retrieved 2022-02-15.
  14. ↑ "Mid-South Conference Creates Largest College Football Conference". The Sun Conference. February 25, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Mid-South, Sun conferences unite for 20-team football league". Tennessean.com. February 25, 2016. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
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