LaGrange College will join seven other members of the USA South Athletic Conference and one other institution to form the new Collegiate Conference of the South this summer. Already approved by the NCAA, the move will bring the Panthers together with Agnes Scott College, Belhaven University, Berea College, Covenant College, Huntingdon College, Maryville College, Piedmont University and Wesleyan College to create the new conference.
Under consideration for some time, the new association is a positive step for the Panthers, according to college President Susanna Baxter.
"The new Collegiate Conference of the South will greatly reduce travel time for our student-athletes, thereby shrinking the amount of missed class hours," she said. "With 19 members, the USA South is currently the largest in the nation with a huge footprint. The new CCS will reduce that significantly."
Under discussion for some time, the two-conference separation strategy was endorsed by the USA South Presidents Council last year. The CCS was officially incorporated in the State of Georgia on Jan. 12, 2022, and application materials for conference membership were officially approved by the NCAA Division III Membership Committee on Thursday, Feb. 17.
"We are thrilled that the NCAA has supported our application for membership," said LaGrange College Director of Athletics and Recreation Terlynn Olds. "Now we can plan with great expectation for full competition in fall 2022."
CCS members will contend in 14 championship sports: baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, and track and field for men; and basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field and volleyball for women. The sports of football and lacrosse will continue to compete in the USA South as associate members.
Dr. Baxter serves as vice chair of the CCS Presidents Council and Executive Committee. She is joined by Dr. Bryan F. Coker (president, Maryville College), chair; and the Rev. J. Cameron West (president, Huntingdon College), at-large representative. CCS schools are being supported in forming the new conference by Dr. Kurt Patberg, who is currently serving as CCS acting commissioner.
The LaGrange Panthers compete in 15 intercollegiate sports (8 for men, 7 for women). Men's lacrosse and beach volleyball began play during the 2019-20 academic year. LaGrange teams excelled in 2020-21, with the Panther baseball team winning the USA South tournament title for the fourth straight year and reaching the NCAA Division III national tournament also for the fourth year in a row. Men's and women's basketball and golf qualified for USA South Tournaments in their respective sports, and senior golfer Cameron Starr competed as an individual at the 2021 NCAA Division III Golf Championship.
LaGrange teams had 80 student-athletes receive USA South Academic All-Conference recognition, and 29 athletes earned various USA South All-Conference honors.
