What is the Southern Conference?
The Southern Conference (SoCon) is one of the oldest conferences in college sports — the 1921 league whose members later split off to found both the SEC (1932) and the ACC (1953).[1] [2]
Members and sports
Members include Furman, Chattanooga, Mercer, Samford, East Tennessee State, Wofford, The Citadel, VMI, Western Carolina and UNC Greensboro, competing in FCS football and a full sports program.[1]
Since when does it exist?
Founded in 1921; based in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Stephen Curry's Davidson run and generations of hall-of-famers passed through the league.[1]
Why does the Southern Conference matter?
A century of continuous Division I competition and a founding place in Southern sports history give SoCon titles deep institutional standing.[1] [2]
References
- Southern Conference — official site. Accessed August 2026.
- NCAA — About the NCAA. Accessed August 2026.