Flagler applies to Peach Belt Conference

By Brian Vigna | bvigna@flagler.edu

Flagler College has officially applied to the Peach Belt Conference, finally letting student athletes and coaches know where their programs are headed.

The move is a major decision and will determine not only the teams Flagler will face in the coming seasons, but also what the postseason situation will be.

Another important aspect of the new conference is the location, moving us to the Southeast Region, as opposed to the South Region. The change will affect the teams we face in coming seasons, but Flagler will still be able to play any Div. II school in Florida, as well as Georgia and Alabama.

After being a charter member of the Florida Sun Conference and spending the past three years as a probationary member of Div. II, Flagler College has finally found its place in collegiate sports, if we get accepted that is.

The move has been anticipated since late last summer and has been a major concern to both coaches and players who wanted to know that the hard work they put in during the regular season would pay off in the post-season.

Other teams in the Peach Belt are: Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Ga.; Augusta (Ga.) State University; Clayton College and State University in Morrow, Ga.; Columbus (Ga.) State University; Francis Marion University in Florence, S.C.; Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville; Lander University in Greenwood, S.C.; North Georgia College and State University in Dahlonega; the University of North Carolina at Pembroke; and, the University of South Carolina at Aiken. 


The University of Montevallo (Ala.) is also currently applying for membership in the Peach Belt Conference.

The Peach Belt Conference was formed in 1990, and its members have won 26 national championships and 25 national finalists.

Flagler President William T. Abare Jr. called the Peach Belt one of the premier conferences in NCAA Div. II.