Southern Conference (SoCon)

The Southern Conference (SoCon) is a longstanding NCAA Division I athletic league, established in 1921. It spans six states in the southeastern United States: Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. In football, SoCon teams compete in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).

Notable for its age and continuous operation, the SoCon ranks among the oldest major college athletic conferences in the U.S. It has been a pioneer in sports, introducing the three-point field goal in basketball in 1980.

The conference is known for competitive strength in FCS football and is considered a mid-major in basketball. SoCon teams have achieved significant upsets against higher-division opponents, particularly in football and basketball. These include Appalachian State’s victory over Michigan in 2007 and Georgia Southern’s win against Florida in 2013.

SoCon also sees regular representation in NCAA baseball championships, showcasing its competitive breadth across multiple sports. This mix of historical significance and ongoing athletic achievements positions the Southern Conference as a notable player in collegiate athletics, especially in the southeastern region.