GREENVILLE, S.C. – Today marks another historic July 1 for Conference Carolinas as the league officially welcomes Shorter University as its 15th member.

Shorter was originally announced as the newest member of the NCAA Division II conference in January of 2023 after a unanimous vote of the Conference Carolinas Board of Directors.

“We are extremely excited that Shorter is now an official full member of Conference Carolinas,” Commissioner Chris Colvin said. “The addition of Shorter University allows us the opportunity to add another institution that aligns tremendously with our conference beliefs and values, while also being a first-class institution with a commitment to a strong athletics program. They also accomplish our overall goal of continuing to make our conference stronger, particularly with the recent implementation of a three-division model in certain sports.”

Colvin is also excited about the addition of football, one that was made possible with the addition of Shorter as the conference’s sixth institution sponsoring football. 

“The addition of Shorter brings an extra level of excitement to Conference Carolinas as the announcement in January of 2023 also meant the resurgence of football in Conference Carolinas,” commissioner Colvin said. “Since that announcement, we also announced the addition of Ferrum College in April, which adds another football program to the league, which we are thrilled about.”

This is the second of three consecutive years in which the conference will add a new member.  Young Harris became a full member of Conference Carolinas on July 1, 2023 and Ferrum is scheduled to become a provisional member of Conference Carolinas on July 1, 2025.

The Shorter Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, an integral part of Shorter University’s mission of Transforming Lives Through Christ, is a comprehensive and nationally-recognized NCAA athletics program which positively reflects the interests and values of the institution's students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends who support its many endeavors. The athletics department fosters an environment that encourages degree completion, good citizenship, character and personal growth, while developing student-athletes who are positive role models and productive members of society.

“Shorter University is excited about joining Conference Carolinas, which holds a similar mission to Shorter in producing athletic champions in body, mind and soul,” Shorter President Dr. Donald Dowless said at the time of the original announcement. “The institutions represented in Conference Carolinas closely resemble Shorter in strategic vision, enrollment, academic success and spiritual growth. As an institution rooted in and committed to Biblical truth, we strive for excellence because our Lord Jesus Christ has called us to exemplify Him through the gifts he has given each individual. Shorter University’s athletic program continues to gain momentum through committed coaches, faculty, staff, dedicated athletes and wonderful community support.”

Shorter sponsors 21 NCAA Division II varsity intercollegiate athletic programs. Shorter also sponsors two competitive cheerleading squads that compete nationally each year.

The Shorter University staff, students and coaches are all thrilled to be joining Conference Carolinas,” Shorter Director of Athletics Richard Hendricks added. “Conference Carolinas has a rich history in high-achieving student-athletes while staying competitive. Our main goal is to help our students find Jesus Christ in body, mind and soul. Conference Carolinas will be a great fit for us and will serve our academic, athletic and spiritual mission well.”

Conference Carolinas has a rich tradition in roots that dates back to its inception on Dec. 6, 1930. The NCAA Division II athletics conference presently has member schools located in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Member institutions for the upcoming 2024-25 academic year are Barton, Belmont Abbey, Chowan, Converse, Emmanuel, Erskine, Francis Marion, King, Lees-McRae, Mount Olive, UNC Pembroke, North Greenville, Shorter, Southern Wesleyan and Young Harris.

Conference Carolinas believes in the development and formation of the whole person in body, mind and soul. Our students are nationally recognized for their extraordinary success in the classroom, in the community and at the highest levels of NCAA competition.

Conference Carolinas is built upon the idea of offering challenging NCAA competition in an environment that fosters both the academic and athletic achievements of its student-athletes. Conference members offer exemplary educations and scholarships for performance in the classroom and on the field. Conference Carolinas and its members are committed to challenging adversity and building tomorrow's leaders.

Conference Carolinas is a sole sponsor of 24 sports and also collaborates with two other conferences (South Atlantic Conference and Great Midwest Athletic Conference) to offer opportunities in four additional sports for a total of 28 in the 2024-25 academic year. Conference Carolinas will be a sole sponsor of 25 sports and offer opportunities for a total of 29 sports with the official addition of football in the 2025-26 academic year.

The ability to provide its membership sports sponsorship in 29 sports is the most in all of NCAA Division II. In addition, Conference Carolinas also provides championship opportunities for its member institutions in esports and spirit.

This is all in addition to hosting developmental championships in various sports for its member institutions. Conference Carolinas is believed to be the first NCAA conference to offer sub-varsity championships to its members.

Current Conference Carolinas Membership
*Atlantic Christian/Barton: 1930-31 – present
Belmont Abbey: 1989-90 – present
Chowan: 2019-20 – present
Converse: 2008-09 – present
Emmanuel: 2018-19 – present
Erskine: 1995-96 – present
Francis Marion: 2021 – present
King: 2011-12 – present
Lees-McRae: 1993-94 – present
Mount Olive: 1988-89 – present
UNC Pembroke: 1976-92; 2021-22 – present
North Greenville: 2011-12 – present
Shorter: 2024-25 – present
Southern Wesleyan: 2016-17 – present
Young Harris: 2023-24 – present
*Charter Member