This is the third consecutive year that the conference has welcomed a new member on July 1 as Young Harris College joined the conference July 1, 2023 and Shorter University joined on July 1, 2024.
"We are excited that the day has arrived that Ferrum joins Conference Carolinas," Commissioner Chris Colvin said. "The ability to be able to align with an institution like Ferrum College that perfectly fits with our conference beliefs and values, while also being a first-class institution with a unique commitment to a strong athletics program, is truly special. Our overall goal in Conference Carolinas is always to continue to make our conference stronger, and Ferrum's addition to our league allows us to accomplish this while also furthering our commitment to football and our three-division model in certain sports. We know they will help us continue to lead the way in the classroom, in the community and at the highest levels of competition as we continue to strive daily to work with our member institutions to help develop champions in body, mind and soul.”
Ferrum will be eligible for all conference awards and championships immediately. They will be eligible to compete in NCAA championships once they are accepted as an active member of Division II upon the successful completion of the membership process.
Ferrum's addition as the 16th member of Conference Carolinas marks the first time in the over 94 years of existence for the conference that the league will feature 16 member institutions.
The addition of Ferrum College will also allow Conference Carolinas to expand its football membership to seven teams with the official return of football to the league in the 2025-26 academic year. Conference Carolinas football will feature Barton, Chowan, Erskine, Ferrum, UNC Pembroke, North Greenville and Shorter in the 2025 season. Ferrum will also participate in the inaugural season of women's flag football in Conference Carolinas as one of 11 total full and associate members.
Founded in 1913,
Ferrum College is a private liberal arts college related to the United Methodist Church, offering liberal arts and professional programs such as business, recreation leadership, musical theatre, agriculture, environmental science, teacher education and criminal justice. Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, numerous lakes, rivers and state parks, Ferrum provides an outstanding educational experience in a setting of rich natural beauty.
“Today we stand on the cusp of a new era at Ferrum College as we announce a historic shift that will redefine our institution's trajectory for years to come. We are honored to receive this invitation, and excited to find a home with Conference Carolinas,” said Ferrum College President Dr. Mirta M. Martin at the time of the announcement.
Located in Ferrum, Virginia, Ferrum is the second-ever Conference Carolinas member institution from the Commonwealth of Virginia. Conference Carolinas has a rich tradition in roots that dates back to its inception on Dec. 6, 1930. The NCAA Division II athletics conference now has member schools located in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Member institutions for the upcoming 2025-26 academic year are Barton, Belmont Abbey, Chowan, Converse, Emmanuel, Erskine, Ferrum, 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 a sole sponsor of 26 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 30 in the 2025-26 academic year.
The ability to provide its membership sports sponsorship in 30 sports is the most in all of NCAA Division II. In addition, Conference Carolinas also provides championship opportunities for its member institutions in spirit and in multiple developmental championships annually.