ATLANTA, GA (October 20, 2026) - The Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS) is pleased to announce that Maryville College will rejoin the conference as a full member, effective July 1, 2027.
The return of Maryville marks an important step in the CCS’s continued efforts to strengthen its membership and advance the conference's long-term strategic priorities. As the conference continues to navigate an evolving NCAA Division III landscape, the addition reflects a shared commitment to fostering meaningful institutional partnerships and supporting the student-athlete experience.
“We are honored to reunite with our very good friends in the CCS,” said Bryan Coker, President of Maryville College. “The Collegiate Conference of the South is growing and thriving in this disruptive era for intercollegiate athletics. We know the CCS and its member institutions well, and we are certain that the CCS’s future looks incredibly bright.”
“As we continue to look toward the future of the Collegiate Conference of the South, strategic growth and long-term stability remain central to our conversations. We are thrilled to welcome Maryville College back to the CCS and build upon the relationships that have helped shape our conference” said CCS Commissioner Beth Vansant. “We also recognize that decisions surrounding conference affiliation can be difficult, particularly as institutions navigate the challenges and uncertainties facing higher education and the broader collegiate athletics landscape. These decisions require thoughtful consideration, collaboration, and a commitment to what best serves each institution and its student-athletes."
“I am incredibly grateful for the continued leadership, collaboration, and vision of our conference presidents as we work together to position the CCS for sustained success,” she continued. “Maryville’s return represents another meaningful step in those efforts, and we look forward to strengthening our relationships as we continue shaping the future of the CCS.”
"On behalf of the CCS Presidents, we are excited to welcome Maryville College back to the CCS," said Dr. Anthony Leigh, President of Huntingdon College and CCS Council of Presidents Chair. "The CCS is committed to providing meaningful competitive opportunities for our student-athletes while maintaining a regional footprint that supports our teams, campuses and families. Maryville's return strengthens the stability of our conference and reflects the importance of like-minded institutions coming together around a shared commitment to excellence. Conference rivalries create great competition, but they also foster strong institutional partnerships and lasting friendships. That spirit is certainly reflected in the relationship between Maryville and our CCS institutions. It's great to have President Bryan Coker, Maryville College, and the Scots back in the CCS family."
Maryville returns to the CCS following a brief stint in the Southern Athletic Association (SAA), bringing with it a history of success within the conference. During their previous tenure, the Scots captured multiple CCS men's basketball titles, along with conference championships in women's soccer, baseball, and softball. Maryville also capped off its final season in the CCS by claiming both the Men's and Overall Commissioner's Cups.
“While the SAA was the right conference choice for Maryville in 2024, we believe the CCS is the best option for us now and for the future,” Coker said. “We were honored to join and compete amongst the SAA’s institutions, and we wish the conference all the best, moving forward.”
“Our top priority has always been to provide our student-athletes with an exceptional collegiate experience; one that challenges them competitively while honoring the rigorous academic and personal commitments central to a Maryville College education,” said Andrew Wu, Director of Athletics at Maryville College.
“While we have deep gratitude and respect for the Southern Athletic Association, its leadership, and its member institutions, returning to the Collegiate Conference of the South is the right strategic alignment for the Scots in a time of continuous change in collegiate athletics," said Wu. "We’re looking forward to reuniting with our colleagues in the conference we helped found earlier this decade.”
Maryville was among the founding members of the CCS, which began competition during the 2022-23 academic year. Their return in 2027 will renew a partnership rooted in shared history and a commitment to the values of NCAA Division III athletics.
2027-28 CCS Member Schools
Agnes Scott College | Decatur, Ga.
Asbury University | Wilmore, Ky.
Belhaven University | Jackson, Miss.
Covenant College | Lookout Mountain, Ga.
Huntingdon College | Montgomery, Ala.
LaGrange College | LaGrange, Ga.
Maryville College | Maryville, Tenn.
Piedmont University | Demorest, Ga.
ABOUT THE COLLEGIATE CONFERENCE OF THE SOUTH
The CCS is an NCAA Division III athletic conference that began play during the 2022-23 academic year. The conference features seven member institutions (Agnes Scott College, Asbury University, Belhaven University, Covenant College, Huntingdon College, LaGrange College, and Piedmont University) and sponsors championships across 16 sports. In addition to sharing the member institutions' geographic identity, the name 'Collegiate Conference of the South' is indicative of a shared commitment to academic excellence, which is commensurate with the NCAA Division III philosophy.