SSU Plans to Join NAIA Mid-South Conference in 2010
SSU Press Reports 5.22.09
Issue date: 4/27/09 Section: Sports
Shawnee State University has announced its intent to withdraw from the American Mideast Conference following the 2009-2010 year. The timing coincides with their application to join the Mid-South Conference beginning in the fall of 2010.
"We have enjoyed our time in the AMC having developed some great friendships and rivalries with numerous teams throughout the conference," SSU Athletic Director Jeff Hamilton said. "However we felt it was the right time to start looking at an alternative conference as more and more teams are looking elsewhere."
Since its peak of 20 members in 2005 the AMC has seen a steady decline of schools to its current membership of 14 schools. As more institutions explore other options, Shawnee State began to look at alternative conference affiliations.
Shawnee State has found a perfect match in the Mid-South Conference, which is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. The Mid-South is one of the premier NAIA conferences in the country. The MSC sponsors 17 varsity sports, including all 11 sports that Shawnee State offers. The Mid-South Conference includes eight current permanent members: Campbellsville University, Georgetown College, Lindsey Wilson College, Pikeville College, St. Catharine College, University of the Cumberlands, West Virginia University Tech, and the University of Rio Grande. The University of Virginia - Wise will also be joining in the fall of 2010 along with Shawnee State.
Shawnee State will see a familiar rival, as the RedStorm of Rio Grande has chosen to join the Mid-South Conference beginning in the fall of 2009. "We are extremely happy to have the opportunity to join the Mid-South Conference," states Hamilton. "We have a great deal of respect for the schools that comprise the MSC. Currently many of our teams play against these schools and we look forward in having a chance to compete with them in conference action!"
Shawnee State President, Rita Rice Morris, said that the decision to join the Mid-South Conference was made with involvement from coaches and university-wide committees.
"This is a good move for us," Morris said. "Our athletic community is happy with the decision. It was clear when the Commissioner of the Mid-South Conference visited our campus that we are a wonderful fit."
One of the many advantages of joining the Mid-South Conference is the reduced travel.
Our current set-up in the AMC includes three colleges eight hours in driving distance. The furthest trip in the MSC will be a 237 mile four-hour trip to Lindsey Wilson College.
"The transition should really help our spring sports as we will now be heading south instead of north to compete. So far it has been a smooth transition with everyone around the MSC being extremely welcoming and helpful," said Hamilton.
Please look for additional information on the following websites: www.shawnee.edu, http://www.mid-southconference.org/, http://www.amcsports.org/.
"We have enjoyed our time in the AMC having developed some great friendships and rivalries with numerous teams throughout the conference," SSU Athletic Director Jeff Hamilton said. "However we felt it was the right time to start looking at an alternative conference as more and more teams are looking elsewhere."
Since its peak of 20 members in 2005 the AMC has seen a steady decline of schools to its current membership of 14 schools. As more institutions explore other options, Shawnee State began to look at alternative conference affiliations.
Shawnee State has found a perfect match in the Mid-South Conference, which is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. The Mid-South is one of the premier NAIA conferences in the country. The MSC sponsors 17 varsity sports, including all 11 sports that Shawnee State offers. The Mid-South Conference includes eight current permanent members: Campbellsville University, Georgetown College, Lindsey Wilson College, Pikeville College, St. Catharine College, University of the Cumberlands, West Virginia University Tech, and the University of Rio Grande. The University of Virginia - Wise will also be joining in the fall of 2010 along with Shawnee State.
Shawnee State will see a familiar rival, as the RedStorm of Rio Grande has chosen to join the Mid-South Conference beginning in the fall of 2009. "We are extremely happy to have the opportunity to join the Mid-South Conference," states Hamilton. "We have a great deal of respect for the schools that comprise the MSC. Currently many of our teams play against these schools and we look forward in having a chance to compete with them in conference action!"
Shawnee State President, Rita Rice Morris, said that the decision to join the Mid-South Conference was made with involvement from coaches and university-wide committees.
"This is a good move for us," Morris said. "Our athletic community is happy with the decision. It was clear when the Commissioner of the Mid-South Conference visited our campus that we are a wonderful fit."
One of the many advantages of joining the Mid-South Conference is the reduced travel.
Our current set-up in the AMC includes three colleges eight hours in driving distance. The furthest trip in the MSC will be a 237 mile four-hour trip to Lindsey Wilson College.
"The transition should really help our spring sports as we will now be heading south instead of north to compete. So far it has been a smooth transition with everyone around the MSC being extremely welcoming and helpful," said Hamilton.
Please look for additional information on the following websites: www.shawnee.edu, http://www.mid-southconference.org/, http://www.amcsports.org/.
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