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Maryville (Tennessee) to join USA South

Maryville (Tennessee) is joining the Division III USA South Athletic Conference effective for 2012-13. Maryville is currently an affiliate member of the USA South, participating in football only.

“Known for its academic rigor and focus on the liberal arts, Maryville will be a strong partner with our institutions,” said Pamela Fox, president of Mary Baldwin and chair of the conference’s Presidents Council. “They provide a well-rounded Division III collegiate experience for their student-athletes. We look forward to the upcoming years of competition with their coaches and student-athletes.”

The Scots, competing as full members of the Great South Athletic Conference, currently offer seven men’s sports (baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer and tennis) and seven women’s sports (basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball). The USA South currently sponsors each of those except for women’s golf.

“We have enjoyed the rivalries created over the past six years that have been established in football and look forward to being a full member,” said Maryville Athletics Director Kandis Schram. “As a full member, we look forward to enhancing the student-athlete experience with automatic bids and access to NCAA championships in all sports for men and women while constructing conference schedules that help reduce missed class time and allow each student-athlete to enjoy the NCAA Division III experience.”

Maryville is the third institution in just over a month to join the USA South. In April, both Piedmont College and LaGrange College accepted invitations.

Maryville College President Tom Bogart said that factored into his school’s decision. “We have enjoyed developing rivalries on the football field and look forward to continuing those rivalries in other sports,” he said. “The opportunity to continue our previous relationship with LaGrange College and Piedmont College is an important attraction.”