AUGUSTA, Ga. – Wednesday, July 1, represents a day of great change as the University of Montevallo and Flagler College have both become official members of the Peach Belt Conference. The two schools were announced as the 12th and 13th members of the conference on Dec. 18, but their membership became official with the start of the new academic year July 1.
“It’s a great day for the Peach Belt Conference,” said PBC Commissioner David Brunk. “We could not be happier that these two schools are joining our league. At times, it seemed like the day would never arrive but it is here at last and we are eager to move forward with Montevallo and Flagler.”
Both schools are immediately eligible for all PBC Championship sports and full participation in NCAA Division II Championships.
Founded in 1991, the Peach Belt Conference has undergone several membership changes over the last five years, but the addition of Montevallo and Flagler will give the league 13 teams, the most it has ever had. Started with seven charter members, the Peach Belt grew to 12 members in 1997 and remained at that number for eight years. Kennesaw State and North Florida left the league in 2005 to move up to the Division I ranks and USC Upstate followed in 2007.
The PBC added North Georgia College & State University in 2005 and Georgia Southwestern State University in 2006 to bring its current number to 11.
“This expansion means more than just the numbers,” said Brunk. “These two institutions are a perfect fit for our league both in terms of the athletic programs they sponsor and the level at which they compete as well as emphasis on academic success for all student-athletes.”
Founded in 1968, Flagler College is located in St. Augustine, Fla. The school’s first building was Ponce de Leon Hall, built in 1888 and the first building in the state of Florida to be wired for electricity as installed personally by the Edison Electric Company. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Flagler College just celebrated its 40th anniversary this past year, Flagler enrolls 2,537 students in a liberal arts curriculum.
“We are proud to be a member of the Peach Belt Conference,” said Flagler athletic director Jud Damon. “This is a great move forward for our institution’s programs and will be a great benefit to our student-athletes.”
Founded in 1896, the University of Montevallo is Alabama’s only public liberal arts university. Located in the town of Montevallo, just south of Birmingham, UM is one of 25 members of the prestigious Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. Known as Alabama College until 1969, the University of Montevallo enrolls approximately 3,100 students and offers 30 degree programs with 75 majors.
Click here for new conference map
Click here for the official Peach Belt Conference Web site