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SCAD joins Florida Sun Conference By Michael MacEachern The Savannah College of Art and Design athletics program will join the Florida Sun Conference beginning with the 2004-2005 academic year. Director of Athletics Jud Damon made the announcement at a press conference at Ex Libris Dec. 1. “This is a great day for the college and our athletics department,” said Damon. “The Florida Sun Conference is a strong conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and a good fit for our institution.” Originally formed in March 1990 as the Florida Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the FSC was established as a conference for small independent institutions within the NAIA. The name “Florida Sun Conference” was adopted in 1992. The conference sponsors championships in six men’s sports: baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer and tennis. In addition, it sponsors championships in seven women’s sports: basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball. The Florida Sun competes at the NAIA Division II level in men’s and women’s basketball. “The membership of the Florida Sun Conference is excited about the Savannah College of Art and Design being our newest member and providing excellent competition for all our schools,” said FSC Commissioner Daniel Stewart. This is the first time the SCAD athletics program has been a member of a conference. By joining a conference, SCAD will be able to compete for conference and regional titles as well as national titles. In the NAIA, the winner from each conference automatically qualifies for regional or national play in all 14 team sports. In addition, SCAD student-athletes will be eligible for all-conference honors. The Bees, who were readmitted to the NAIA Sept. 30, will become eligible for all conference championships, beginning with 2004 fall sports. SCAD, which is competing as an independent in Region XIV this season, will remain in Region XIV with the move to the FSC. Region XIV is comprised of institutions from the states of Florida and North and South Carolina. FSC is one of the newest intercollegiate athletic conferences in the NAIA. The conference consists of seven private colleges and universities and spans the entire state of Florida and includes other Southeastern states. Members of the conference include Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Flagler College, Florida Memorial College, Northwood University, St. Thomas University, Warner Southern College and Webber International University. In its 11-year existence, the FSC has established postseason tradition, consistently winning region championships to represent the Southeast at national tournaments. In fact, nine teams from the FSC finished in the top-10 at their respective national competitions in 2002-03. “From a volleyball standpoint, the move to the Florida Sun is an ideal fit,” said volleyball coach Glenn Cox. “We are looking forward to more home matches since we will have a conference schedule now.” “I’m really excited,” said baseball coach Doug Wollenburg. “Our staff and players are looking forward to joining the conference. It gives us a more discernable route to make the playoffs each year.” MacEachern is the SCAD sports information director. |
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