Frequently Asked Questions

Why the University is moving to NCAA Division I membership?

Simply put, the University has shown a consistent growth pattern which has been mirrored by the athletic program. In the late 1980’s the University made tremendous strides in the quality of student it attracted and the strength of its academic programs to dictate a move of its athletic program from NAIA membership to NCAA Division II status. Making the move to Division I membership is a result of the growth and increasing strength of the University and its athletic program.

What was the process leading to USC Upstate's move to Division I status?

After being approached by the Atlantic Sun Conference, conducting an initial review, and performing a tremendous amount of research, USC Upstate made the decision to explore the move to Division I status in the Fall of 2005.  After getting support from numerous campus and community groups, the University asked to be placed on the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees agenda for its meeting this month.  On Thursday, Feb. 23, the Board met and voted to allow USC Upstate to pursue reclassification to Division I status.  The next step was to apply for reclassification with the NCAA, declare the 2006-07 academic year as the University's Division I Exploratory Year, and apply for membership into the Atlantic Sun Conference.  The Atlantic Sun sent a team to campus on Apr. 6-7 to evaluate the Athletic Department and the University.  Upon receiving the evaluation team's report, the A-Sun President's Council voted unanimously in early May to extend an invitation to USC Upstate to become the league's 12th and newest member.  USC Upstate will play its final year as a Division II member in 2006-07 and will play as a provisional Division I member in 2007-08. 

When will the move to Division I take place?

USC Upstate will begin competing at the Division I level for the 2007-08 academic year. The 2006-07 academic year will be the University’s final year of competing at the Division II level and in the Peach Belt Conference.

Into what conference could the University move?

USC Upstate has accepted an invitation to become a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference, a league that will have 12 members in 2007-08 in five Southeastern States - Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee.  The 12 member schools will be Belmont (Nashville, TN), Campbell (Buies Creek, NC), East Tennessee State (Johnson City, TN), Florida Gulf Coast (Ft. Myers, FL), Gardner-Webb (Boiling Springs, NC), Jacksonville (Jacksonville, FL), Kennesaw State (Atlanta, GA), Lipscomb (Nashville, TN), Mercer (Macon, GA), North Florida (Jacksonville, FL), USC Upstate, and Stetson (Deland, FL).

Can the athletic teams compete at the Division I level?

There are well over 300 institutions that are classified Division I by the NCAA. Only a handful of institutions in a few conferences can boast elite status athletically. USC Upstate will be able to compete at the Division I level for a number of reasons. First, the University has tremendous strength in its coaches and staff. Second, the University’s athletic teams already compete on a national level in a number of sports and have built a reputation for athletic excellence. Third, a quick look at former Peach Belt partners Kennesaw State and North Florida proves the move can be made. Kennesaw State and North Florida are their first year of Division I membership and their athletic teams have proven to be quite competitive within the Atlantic Sun Conference.

Will the move to Division I mean USC Upstate will get a football team?

No. The University will continue to compete in the 11 sports it currently offers - baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s tennis, and volleyball. In addition, the NCAA mandates that Division I institutions field at least 14 varsity sports. If the University moves to Division I, it must add at least three sports. Football will not be one of the sports to be added for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the financial commitment needed to field a Division I-level football program and the fact that we are looking to align ourselves with a conference and member institutions in the I-AAA classification.

What sports will be added to meet the NCAA requirement of 14 teams?

In accepting the invitation to join the Atlantic Sun Conference, USC Upstate has moved to add men's and women's cross country and track and field to begin competition in 2007-08, USC Upstate's first year of NCAA Division I participation.  The increase will give USC Upstate 15 intercollegiate athletic programs.

For more information, please contact Athletics Director Mike Hall at (864) 503-5140, Assistant Athletic Director Bill English at (864) 503-5129, or University Director of Communications Tammy Whaley at (864) 503-5210.