Sun Belt Showdown
Charting the landscape of collegiate athletics within the dynamic Sun Belt Conference.
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Conference Overview
Affiliation & Foundation
The Sun Belt Conference (SBC) is a collegiate athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. Established in 1976, it initially focused on non-football sports before commencing football competition in 2001. Its football teams compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).
Geographic Footprint
The conference's 14 member institutions are strategically located across the Southern United States, fostering regional rivalries and logistical coherence.
Leadership & Broadcasting
Currently led by Commissioner Keith Gill (since 2019), the conference's primary broadcast partner is ESPN, ensuring wide reach for its athletic events.
Historical Evolution
Early Years (1970s-1980s)
Founded in 1976, the conference initially comprised six institutions. Over the subsequent decade, several universities joined, though some departures occurred due to facility limitations, such as the University of New Orleans.
Mergers & Football (1990s-2000s)
The 1990s saw a significant merger with the American South Conference, retaining the Sun Belt name. The conference began exploring football sponsorship in 1991, officially launching the sport in 2001 with the addition of several new members, including those from the former Big West Conference.
Expansion & Realignment (2010s-Present)
The 2010s and 2020s have been marked by substantial conference realignment. The Sun Belt strategically added members like Georgia State, Texas State, and UT Arlington, while also experiencing departures to Conference USA. Recent years have seen further expansion, including the addition of James Madison, Marshall, Old Dominion, and Southern Miss, solidifying its FBS standing and expanding its sports offerings.
Member Institutions
Geographic Distribution
Member institutions are primarily located across the Southern United States, fostering regional competition and travel.
The conference is structured into two divisions for football: East and West. Membership includes both public and private institutions.
Current Full Members
As of the 2023-24 academic year, the Sun Belt Conference comprises 14 full member institutions.
| Institution | Location | Joined | Division | Nickname |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appalachian State University | Boone, North Carolina | 2014 | East | Mountaineers |
| Coastal Carolina University | Conway, South Carolina | 2016 | East | Chanticleers |
| Georgia Southern University | Statesboro, Georgia | 2014 | East | Eagles |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, Georgia | 2013 | East | Panthers |
| James Madison University | Harrisonburg, Virginia | 2022 | East | Dukes |
| Marshall University | Huntington, West Virginia | 2022 | East | Thundering Herd |
| Old Dominion University | Norfolk, Virginia | 2022 | East | Monarchs |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, Arkansas | 1991 | West | Red Wolves |
| University of Louisiana at Lafayette | Lafayette, Louisiana | 1991 | West | Ragin' Cajuns |
| University of Louisiana at Monroe | Monroe, Louisiana | 2006 | West | Warhawks |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, Alabama | 1976 | West | Jaguars |
| University of Southern Mississippi | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | 2022 | West | Golden Eagles |
| Texas State University | San Marcos, Texas | 2013 | West | Bobcats |
| Troy University | Troy, Alabama | 2005 | East | Trojans |
Future Members
| Institution | Location | Joining | Current Conference | Nickname |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Tech University | Ruston, Louisiana | 2026 | CUSA | Bulldogs & Lady Techsters |
Affiliate Members
Several institutions participate as affiliate members in specific sports, primarily men's soccer and beach volleyball.
| Institution | Location | Sport(s) | Primary Conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of Charleston | Charleston, South Carolina | Beach Volleyball | CAA |
| University of Kentucky | Lexington, Kentucky | Men's Soccer | SEC |
| Mercer University | Macon, Georgia | Beach Volleyball | SoCon |
| University of South Carolina | Columbia, South Carolina | Men's Soccer | SEC |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, Florida | Men's Soccer | Big 12 |
| University of North Carolina Wilmington | Wilmington, North Carolina | Beach Volleyball | CAA |
| West Virginia University | Morgantown, West Virginia | Men's Soccer | Big 12 |
Former Members
The conference has seen numerous changes in membership throughout its history.
Conference Leadership
Commissioners Through the Years
The Sun Belt Conference has been guided by several commissioners, each contributing to its development and strategic direction.
Sponsored Sports
The Sun Belt Conference sponsors championship competition in a variety of NCAA-sanctioned sports, catering to both men's and women's athletics.
Sport Sponsorship Overview
As of the 2025-26 academic year, the conference sponsors 9 men's and 10 women's sports. Recent additions include beach volleyball and women's swimming & diving.
| Sport | Men's | Women's |
|---|---|---|
| Baseball | 14 | โ |
| Basketball | 14 | 14 |
| Beach Volleyball | โ | 8 |
| Cross Country | 9 | 13 |
| Football | 14 | โ |
| Golf | 14 | 13 |
| Soccer | 10 | 14 |
| Softball | โ | 12 |
| Tennis | 9 | 14 |
| Track & Field (Indoor) | 7 | 13 |
| Track & Field (Outdoor) | 10 | 13 |
| Volleyball | โ | 14 |
Men's Sports Participation
Detailed breakdown of men's sports sponsorship across member institutions.
Women's Sports Participation
Breakdown of women's sports sponsorship across member institutions.
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References
References
- Louisiana-Monroe was an affiliate member in football from the 2001 to 2005 fall seasons (2001-02 to 2005-06 school years).
- The main UCF campus has an Orlando mailing address but is in unincorporated Orange County.
- The main UCF campus has an Orlando mailing address but is in unincorporated Orange County.
- Florida Atlantic was an affiliate member for football during the 2005 fall season (2005-06 school year).
- The main FIU campus has a Miami mailing address but is in unincorporated Miami-Dade County.
- New Mexico State was a full member from 2000-01 to 2004-05 and an affiliate member for football from the 2014 to 2017 fall seasons (2014-15 to 2017-18 school years).
- Central Arkansas uses "Bears" only for men's teams, with women's teams known as "Sugar Bears". Men's soccer was the school's only Sun Belt sport.
- Currently an NCAA Division III athletic conference.
- Vanderbilt dropped men's soccer after the 2005 fall season (2005-06 school year). It has been a full member of the Southeastern Conference since 1932.
- Sailing is a coeducational sport not governed by the NCAA, but instead by the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association.
- Sailing is a coeducational sport not governed by the NCAA, but instead by the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association.
- Louisiana's women's basketball team primarily plays at the Cajundome but occasionally plays at Earl K. Long Gymnasium on the main campus.
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Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is derived from publicly available data, primarily Wikipedia, and may not reflect the most current information or nuances of the Sun Belt Conference.
This is not professional advice. The information provided is not a substitute for official NCAA or conference documentation, or consultation with sports management professionals. Always refer to official sources for the latest details.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.