The Peach Belt Conference (PBC) is a college 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.

Peach Belt Conference
AssociationNCAA
Founded1990
CommissionerDavid Brunk (since 2007)
Sports fielded
  • 18
    • men's: 9
    • women's: 9
DivisionDivision II
No. of teams10 (11 for 2025)
HeadquartersAugusta, Georgia
RegionSoutheastern United States
Official websitepeachbeltconference.org
Locations
Location of teams in {{{title}}}

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

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Peach Belt Conference
 
 
150km
100miles
 
Augusta
 
Middle Georgia State
 
USC Beaufort
 
USC Aiken
 
North Georgia
 
Lander
 
Georgia Southwestern State
 
Georgia College
 
Flagler
 
Columbus State
 
Clayton State
Location of Peach Belt Conference members:   full,   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 (later 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

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Member schools

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Current members

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

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined Colors
Augusta University Augusta, Georgia 1828 Public 9,158 Jaguars 1991    
Clayton State University Morrow, Georgia 1969 Public 5,847 Lakers 1995    
Columbus State University Columbus, Georgia 1958 Public 7,500 Cougars 1990      
Flagler College St. Augustine, Florida 1968 Nonsectarian 2,623 Saints 2009    
Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, Georgia 1889 Public 6,315 Bobcats 1990    
Georgia Southwestern State University Americus, Georgia 1906 Public 3,157 Hurricanes 2006    
Lander University Greenwood, South Carolina 1872 Public 4,170 Bearcats 1990    
University of North Georgia Dahlonega, Georgia 1873 Public 18,046 Nighthawks 2005    
University of South Carolina Aiken Aiken, South Carolina 1961 Public 3,840 Pacers 1990      
University of South Carolina Beaufort Bluffton, South Carolina 1959 Public 2,124 Sand Sharks 2022      
Notes

Future member

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

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joining Colors Primary
conference
Middle Georgia State University Cochran, Georgia[a] 2013 Public 7,688 Knights 2025       Southern States (SSAC)[b]
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

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The PBC currently has six affiliate members, two being private schools and four being public.

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined Colors PBC
sport(s)
Primary
conference
University of Alabama in Huntsville[a] Huntsville, Alabama 1969 Public 9,636 Chargers 2021–22     Men's lacrosse Gulf South (GSC)
Albany State University Albany, Georgia 1903 Public 5,700 Golden Rams 2019–20     Women's soccer Southern (SIAC)
Central State University Wilberforce, Ohio 1887 Public 5,434 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 2023–24     Men's indoor track & field Sunshine State (SSC)
Women's indoor track & field
University of Montevallo[b] Montevallo, Alabama 1896 Public 2,625 Falcons 2021–22     Men's lacrosse Gulf South (GSC)
Notes
  1. ^ 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

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

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined Left Current
conference
Armstrong State University Savannah, Georgia 1935 Public N/A Pirates &
Lady Pirates
1990 2017 N/A[a]
Francis Marion University Florence, South Carolina 1970 3,923 Patriots 1990 2021 Carolinas (CC)
Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, Georgia 1963 42,983 Owls 1994 2005 Conference USA (CUSA)[b]
University of Montevallo[c] Montevallo, Alabama 1896 2,625 Falcons 2009 2017 Gulf South (GSC)
University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke, North Carolina 1887 8,318 Braves 1992 2021 Carolinas (CC)
University of North Florida Jacksonville, Florida 1969 16,594 Ospreys 1997 2005 Atlantic Sun (ASUN)[b]
University of South Carolina Upstate Spartanburg, South Carolina 1967 5,405 Spartans 1990 2007 Big South[b]
Young Harris College Young Harris, Georgia 1886 United Methodist 1,408 Mountain Lions 2012 2023 Carolinas (CC)
Notes
  1. ^ Armstrong State was merged into Georgia Southern University since 2017.
  2. ^ a b c Currently an NCAA Division I athletic conference.
  3. ^ Montevallo remains in the Peach Belt as an affiliate member for men's lacrosse.

Former affiliate members

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

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined Left Colors PBC
sport(s)
Primary
conference
University of Alabama in Huntsville[a] Huntsville, Alabama 1969 Public 9,636 Chargers 2012–13 2015–16     men's outdoor track & field;
women's outdoor track & field
Gulf South (GSC)
Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach, Florida 1926 Nonsectarian 7,603 Eagles 2017–18 2024–25     Sunshine State (SSC)
Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, Florida 1958 Nonsectarian 7,855 Panthers 2014–15 2017–18    
Nova Southeastern University Davie, Florida 1964 Nonsectarian 20,898 Sharks 2012–13 2024–25    
Shorter University Rome, Georgia 1873 Baptist 1,482 Hawks 2012–13 2015–16     Carolinas (CC)
2021–22 2024–25 men's lacrosse
Notes
  1. ^ Alabama–Huntsville remains in the Peach Belt as an affiliate member for men's lacrosse.

Membership timeline

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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 Campus

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

Sports

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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
Sport Men's Women's
Baseball  Y
Basketball  Y  Y
Cross country  Y  Y
Golf  Y  Y
Lacrosse  Y
Soccer  Y  Y
Softball  Y
Tennis  Y  Y
Track & field indoor  Y  Y
Track & field outdoor  Y  Y
Volleyball  Y

Men's sponsored sports by school

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Departing members/teams in pink.

School Baseball Basketball Cross
country
Golf Lacrosse Soccer Tennis Track
& field
indoor
Track
& field
outdoor
Total
PBC
sports
Augusta  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 5
Clayton State  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 6
Columbus State  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 6
Flagler  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 8
Georgia College  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 5
Georgia Southwestern State  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 6
Lander  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 8
North Georgia  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 5
USC Aiken  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 5
USC Beaufort  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 6
Totals 9+1 10 9 9 2+2 6 6 4+2 4 55+4
Affiliate members
Alabama–Huntsville  Y 1
Clafin  Y 1
Central State  Y 1
Embry–Riddle  Y 1
Montevallo  Y 1
Notes

Women's sponsored sports by school

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Departing members/teams in pink.

School Basketball Cross
country
Golf Soccer Softball Tennis Track
& field
indoor
Track
& field
outdoor
Volleyball Total
PBC
sports
Augusta  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 6
Clayton State  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 5
Columbus State  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 7
Flagler  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 8
Georgia College  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 6
Georgia Southwestern State  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 5
Lander  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 8
North Georgia  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 7
USC Aiken  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 5
USC Beaufort  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 7
Totals 10 10 5 9+1 9 7 4+2 5 5 60+3
Affiliate members
Albany State  Y 1
Central State  Y 1
Embry–Riddle  Y 1
Notes

Other sponsored sports by school

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School Men Women Co-ed
Golf Wrestling Golf Lacrosse Rifle[a]
Augusta Southland[b] Southland[b]
Flagler GSC
Lander CC 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. ^ a b 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

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  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.
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