Peach Belt Conference

Last updated
Peach Belt Conference
Peach Belt Conference logo.svg
Association NCAA
Founded1990
CommissionerDavid Brunk (since 2007)
Sports fielded
  • 18
    • men's: 9
    • women's: 9
Division Division II
No. of teams10 (11 for 2025)
Headquarters Augusta, Georgia
Region Southeastern United States
Official website peachbeltconference.org
Locations
Peachbeltstates.png

The Peach Belt Conference (PBC) is an athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division II level. The 10 member institutions are located in the South Atlantic states of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. In addition, seven affiliate members participate in one sport each; namely sports not sponsored by their home conferences.

Contents

Since its inception came in the 1990–91 school year, the Peach Belt has, across all sanctioned sports, produced 30 national champions and an additional 27 national finalists. Starting with only two championships in 1991, in men's and women's basketball, the conference has expanded to 18 championship sports with the addition of men's lacrosse in the summer of 2020 and men's and women's indoor track and field in 2023.

History

Peach Belt Conference
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150km
100miles
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Augusta
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Middle Georgia State
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USC Beaufort
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USC Aiken
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North Georgia
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Lander
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Georgia Southwestern State
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Georgia College
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Flagler
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Columbus State
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Clayton State
Peach Belt Conference
Location of Peach Belt Conference members: Location dot orange.svg full, Location dot purple.svg future

The conference traces its roots November 1988 when 11 schools first met in Greenville, S.C. to form a Division II conference. Following a second meeting on Dec. 3, 1989, five of those 11 schools, plus two others, formed the Peach Belt Athletic Conference and began play in the fall of 1990.

The seven charter members of the conference were Armstrong Atlantic State University (now Armstrong State University), Columbus State University, Francis Marion University, Georgia College (now Georgia College & State University), Lander University, USC Aiken, and USC Upstate. The name Peach Belt Athletic Conference was adopted in January 1990 and modified to Peach Belt Conference in May 2000.

Augusta State University joined the conference as the eighth member in 1991 and UNC Pembroke became the ninth member on July 1, 1992. They were followed by Kennesaw State University on July 1, 1994, Clayton State University on July 1, 1995 and the University of North Florida on July 1, 1997. Kennesaw State and North Florida departed for the Division I ranks in 2005, USC Upstate did the same in 2007, and the conference welcomed in North Georgia College & State University in 2005 and Georgia Southwestern State University in 2006. In 2009–10, the University of Montevallo and Flagler College were added, returning a league presence to Florida and breaking new ground in Alabama. In 2012–13, the Peach Belt expanded to 14 members, the most the league has ever had, with the addition of Young Harris College. On January 8, 2013, the University System of Georgia finalized the mergers of two conference members into new institutions. Augusta State was merged into Georgia Regents University, which was renamed in 2015 as Augusta University, and NGCSU was merged into the University of North Georgia. [1] [2] In both cases, the new institutions inherited the Peach Belt memberships of the older schools.

The Peach Belt was less than a year old before capturing its first of many national championships. The Columbus State men's golf team took the honor by winning the 1992 national crown, the first of three golf championships the Cougars own. One year later, the Lander men's tennis team began their record-breaking run of eight straight national titles, the first PBC dynasty. Since then, USCA men's golf won three straight national titles from 2004 to 2006 while AASU women's tennis captured four titles overall.

The 2010–11 season was one of the most memorable the league has ever had. Clayton State became the first PBC women's basketball team to capture a national championship. Montevallo watched their men's basketball team reach the Elite Eight, eventually competing in the National Championship Game. Unfortunately, their run came to an end with a loss to Western Washington University. The Columbus State men's tennis team reached the national semifinals while the Clayton State and Armstrong Atlantic State women's tennis teams also played in the national semifinals. The North Georgia softball team made an unprecedented third straight appearance in the NCAA Women's College World Series, while Columbus State's Meshack Koyiaki registered a runner-up finish at the Men's Cross Country National Championships. In all, 46 Peach Belt teams made appearances in the NCAA postseason, including seven men's tennis teams and six each in the sports of men's golf and women's tennis.

David Brunk was named the second PBC commissioner in May 2007, replacing Marvin Vanover, who was the first PBC commissioner from 1991 to 2007. Brunk is charged with continuing the strong growth of the conference as its second era begins.

Dr. Kendall Blanchard, president of Georgia Southwestern State University, began the second of his two-year term as the league president in July 2011.

In April 2020, Francis Marion University and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke announced that they would leave the Peach Belt Conference starting in 2021–22, both joining Conference Carolinas. [3]

On April 14, 2021, the conference invited the NAIA's University of South Carolina Beaufort to join in 2022–23 after applying for membership in Division II and gaining acceptance into the NCAA. [4] By July 14, 2022, USCB was accepted into the NAIA's Continental Athletic Conference for its first year of provisional membership while still playing a Peach Belt schedule as part of the Sand Sharks' dual NAIA-NCAA membership. USCB is ineligible for a Peach Belt or NCAA postseason during the three-year transition. [5]

The conference currently holds championships in 16 sports, eight for men and eight for women. The championship sports are men's and women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, volleyball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's tennis, baseball, softball, men's and women's track & field, and men's and women's golf. [6] Men's lacrosse was added on July 10, 2020, with its first season was in spring 2021, and men's and women's indoor track and field was added on August 11, 2023. [7] [8]

Chronological timeline

Member schools

Current members

The PBC currently has 10 full members, with all but one being public schools. Reclassifying members listed in yellow.

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoinedColors
Augusta University Augusta, Georgia 1828 Public 9,158 Jaguars 1991   
Clayton State University Morrow, Georgia 1969Public5,847 Lakers 1995   
Columbus State University Columbus, Georgia 1958Public7,500 Cougars 1990     
Flagler College St. Augustine, Florida 1968 Nonsectarian 2,623 Saints 2009   
Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, Georgia 1889Public6,315 Bobcats 1990   
Georgia Southwestern State University Americus, Georgia 1906Public3,157 Hurricanes 2006   
Lander University Greenwood, South Carolina 1872Public4,170 Bearcats 1990   
University of North Georgia Dahlonega, Georgia 1873Public18,046 Nighthawks 2005   
University of South Carolina Aiken Aiken, South Carolina 1961Public3,840 Pacers 1990     
University of South Carolina Beaufort Bluffton, South Carolina 1959 Public 2,124 Sand Sharks 2022     
Notes

    Future member

    The PBC will have one new full member, also a public school.

    InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoiningColorsPrimary
    conference
    Middle Georgia State University Cochran, Georgia [lower-alpha 1] 2013Public7,688 Knights 2025      Southern States (SSAC) [lower-alpha 2]
    Notes
    1. 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.
    2. Currently an NAIA athletic conference.

    Affiliate members

    The PBC currently has seven affiliate members, four being private schools and three being public.

    InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoinedColorsPBC
    sport(s)
    Primary
    conference
    University of Alabama in Huntsville [lower-alpha 1] Huntsville, Alabama 1969 Public 9,636 Chargers 2021–22   Men's lacrosse Gulf South (GSC)
    Albany State University Albany, Georgia 1903Public5,700 Golden Rams 2019–20   Women's soccer Southern (SIAC)
    Central State University Wilberforce, Ohio 1887Public5,434 Marauders 2023–24   Men's indoor track & field Southern (SIAC)
    Women's indoor track & field
    Claflin University Orangeburg, South Carolina 1869 United
    Methodist
    1,866 Panthers 2019–20     Baseball Central (CIAA)
    Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach, Florida 1926 Nonsectarian 7,603 Eagles 2017–18   Men's indoor track & field Sunshine State (SSC)
    Women's indoor track & field
    Men's outdoor track & field
    Women's outdoor track & field
    University of Montevallo [lower-alpha 2] Montevallo, Alabama 1896Public2,625 Falcons 2021–22   Men's lacrosse Gulf South (GSC)
    Nova Southeastern University Davie, Florida 1964Nonsectarian20,898 Sharks 2012–13   Men's outdoor track & field Sunshine State (SSC)
    Women's outdoor track & field
    Shorter University [lower-alpha 1] Rome, Georgia 1873 Baptist 1,482 Hawks 2021–22   Men's lacrosse Gulf South (GSC)
    Notes
    1. 1 2 Alabama–Huntsville and Shorter were affiliates of the Peach Belt for men's and women's outdoor track & field from the 2013 to 2016 spring seasons (2012–13 to 2015–16 school years).
    2. Montevallo was a full member of the Peach Belt from 2009–10 to 2016–17.

    Former members

    The PBC has eight former full members, all but one are public schools:

    InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoinedLeftCurrent
    conference
    Armstrong State University Savannah, Georgia 1935PublicN/A Pirates &
    Lady Pirates
    19902017N/A [lower-alpha 1]
    Francis Marion University Florence, South Carolina 19703,923 Patriots 19902021 Carolinas (CC)
    Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, Georgia 196342,983 Owls 19942005 Atlantic Sun (ASUN)
    [lower-alpha 2] [lower-alpha 3]
    University of Montevallo [lower-alpha 4] Montevallo, Alabama 18962,625 Falcons 20092017 Gulf South (GSC)
    University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke, North Carolina 18878,318 Braves 19922021 Carolinas (CC)
    University of North Florida Jacksonville, Florida 196916,594 Ospreys 19972005 Atlantic Sun (ASUN) [lower-alpha 2]
    University of South Carolina Upstate Spartanburg, South Carolina 19675,405 Spartans 19902007 Big South [lower-alpha 2]
    Young Harris College Young Harris, Georgia 1886 United Methodist 1,408 Mountain Lions 20122023 Carolinas (CC)
    Notes
    1. Armstrong State was merged into Georgia Southern University since 2017.
    2. 1 2 3 Currently an NCAA Division I athletic conference.
    3. Kennesaw State is joining Conference USA (CUSA) in 2024.
    4. Montevallo remains in the Peach Belt as an affiliate member for men's lacrosse.

    Former affiliate members

    The PBC has three former affiliate members, one was a public school, while two were private schools:

    InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoinedLeftColorsPBC
    sport(s)
    Primary
    conference
    University of Alabama in Huntsville [lower-alpha 1] Huntsville, Alabama 1969Public9,636 Chargers 2012–132015–16   men's outdoor track & field;
    women's outdoor track & field
    Gulf South (GSC)
    Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, Florida 1958Nonsectarian7,855 Panthers 2014–152017–18    Sunshine State (SSC)
    Shorter University [lower-alpha 1] Rome, Georgia 1873 Baptist 1,482 Hawks 2012–132015–16    Gulf South (GSC)
    Notes
    1. 1 2 Alabama–Huntsville and Shorter re-joined the Peach Belt as affiliate members for men's lacrosse.

    Membership timeline

    Middle Georgia State UniversityCentral State UniversityUniversity of South Carolina BeaufortClaflin UniversityAlbany State UniversityEmbry–Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona BeachFlorida Institute of TechnologyShorter UniversityNova Southeastern UniversityUniversity of Alabama in HuntsvilleYoung Harris CollegeUniversity of MontevalloFlagler CollegeGeorgia Southwestern State UniversityUniversity of North GeorgiaUniversity of North FloridaClayton State UniversityKennesaw State UniversityUniversity of North Carolina at PembrokeAugusta UniversityUniversity of South Carolina UpstateUniversity of South Carolina AikenLander UniversityGeorgia College %26 State UniversityFrancis Marion UniversityColumbus State UniversityGeorgia Southern University–Armstrong CampusPeach Belt Conference

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

    Sports

    A divisional format was used for basketball (M / W) until 2020–21.
    East
    • Augusta
    • Flagler
    • Francis Marion
    • Lander
    • UNC Pembroke
    • USC Aiken
    West
    • Clayton State
    • Columbus State
    • Georgia College
    • Georgia Southwestern State
    • North Georgia
    • Young Harris
    Conference sports
    SportMen'sWomen's
    Baseball Green check.svg
    Basketball Green check.svgGreen check.svg
    Cross country Green check.svgGreen check.svg
    Golf Green check.svgGreen check.svg
    Lacrosse Green check.svg
    Soccer Green check.svgGreen check.svg
    Softball Green 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.svg

    Men's sponsored sports by school

    Departing members/teams in pink.

    SchoolBaseballBasketballCross
    country
    GolfLacrosseSoccerTennisTrack
    & field
    indoor
    Track
    & field
    outdoor
    Total
    PBC
    sports
    AugustaGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg5
    Clayton StateGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg6
    Columbus StateGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg6
    FlaglerGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg8
    Georgia CollegeGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg5
    Georgia Southwestern StateGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg6
    LanderGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg8
    North GeorgiaGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg5
    USC AikenGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg5
    USC BeaufortGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg6
    Totals9+110992+3664+24+255+6
    Affiliate members
    Alabama–HuntsvilleGreen check.svg1
    ClafinGreen check.svg1
    Central StateGreen check.svg1
    Embry–RiddleGreen check.svgGreen check.svg1
    MontevalloGreen check.svg1
    Nova SoutheasternGreen check.svg1
    ShorterGreen check.svg1
    Notes

      Women's sponsored sports by school

      Departing members/teams in pink.

      SchoolBasketballCross
      country
      GolfSoccerSoftballTennisTrack
      & field
      indoor
      Track
      & field
      outdoor
      VolleyballTotal
      PBC
      sports
      AugustaGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg6
      Clayton StateGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg5
      Columbus StateGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg7
      FlaglerGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg8
      Georgia CollegeGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg6
      Georgia Southwestern StateGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg5
      LanderGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg8
      North GeorgiaGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg7
      USC AikenGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg5
      USC BeaufortGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg7
      Totals101059+1974+25+2560+3
      Affiliate members
      Albany StateGreen check.svg1
      Central StateGreen check.svg1
      Embry–RiddleGreen check.svgGreen check.svg1
      Nova SoutheasternGreen check.svg1
      Notes

        Other sponsored sports by school

        SchoolMenWomenCo-ed
        GolfTrack
        & field
        indoor
        WrestlingGolfLacrosseSwimming
        & diving
        Track
        & field
        indoor
        Rifle [lower-alpha 1]
        Augusta Southland [lower-alpha 2] Southland [lower-alpha 2]
        Clayton StateINDIND
        FlaglerIND GSC IND
        Lander SACC GSC
        North Georgia SoCon
        Notes
        1. The NCAA holds a single rifle championship event open to schools in all three divisions. Rifle schools in Divisions I and II operate under the same rules, including scholarship limits.
        2. 1 2 The NCAA sponsors Division II men's and women's golf championships, but the Augusta men's and women's golf teams compete as Division I members.

        Championships

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        References

        1. "Board of Regents finalizes consolidations, approves presidents" (Press release). University System of Georgia. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
        2. "Another New Name". Inside Higher Ed. September 16, 2015.
        3. "Conference Carolinas Announces Addition of Francis Marion and UNC Pembroke" (Press release). Conference Carolinas. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
        4. "Peach Belt Accepts USCB as Newest League Member". University of South Carolina Beaufort Athletics. April 14, 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
        5. "USC Beaufort Approved for NCAA DII Membership". USCB Athletics (Press release). July 14, 2022. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
        6. "Peach Belt Conference History". Peach Belt Conference. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
        7. "Peach Belt Conference to Add Men's Lacrosse as Championship Sport" (Press release). July 10, 2020. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
        8. "Peach Belt Conference Announces Addition of Men's and Women's Indoor Track & Field Championships" (Press release). August 11, 2023. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
        9. "Sunshine State Conference Adds Beach Volleyball and Outdoor Track" (Press release). Sunshine State Conference. December 13, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
        10. "Peach Belt Extends Invitation To Middle Georgia State University For Conference Membership" (Press release). Peach Belt Conference. January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.