ROME, Ga. - The USA South Athletic Conference will soon no longer have the distinction of being the NCAA's largest athletic conference. For several years, the Presidential leadership of the USA South has worked to formalize a process that would include a collaborative restructuring of the 19-member organization. This plan officially became reality as the NCAA Division III Membership Committee recently approved an application to form a new conference which includes nine current USA South members.

The new league, "Collegiate Conference of the South" (CCS), will consist of eight current members of the USA South West Division as well as newly-accepted Belhaven University. The USA South membership will include all of the Conference's current East Division institutions along with Brevard College. Some of those in the new CCS will continue to compete for Conference championships as associate members of the USA South in the sports of football, men's lacrosse, women's lacrosse, and women's golf.

"Our decision to build and split the USA South into two strong conferences has been strategic and collegial at every turn," shared Dr. Jo Allen, Meredith College President and chair of the USA South Presidents Council. "We have carefully and thoughtfully planned to build these two conferences as exemplary of our collective commitment to student-athletes and their experience as both students and athletes."

"With the increasing interest and growth of Division III in the South, it only makes sense to begin sorting out conference alignment by prioritizing geographic considerations," stated Dr. Tom Hart, USA South Commissioner. "We are excited to continue our relationship with select institutions of the CCS in a few sports and wish the remaining members well on this new endeavor."

The two separate conferences will have distinct administrative structures moving forward. The USA South Conference Office personnel will remain in-tact and continue to serve the members of the Conference. The CCS will begin play as a conference beginning with the 2022-23 academic year.