X-Conference Programs

[AshevilleApp]

I was perusing the Southern Conference Record Book yesterday and failed to realize just how many programs have gone through the Conference and onward to bigger (Div 1-A) or lesser (No program) ways. I was wondering if in its History does the S.C. have the most X-Programs?

Here's a list based upon my 1st scan: I listed first year in the Conference for reference

North Carolina (22)
Georgia Tech (22)
Vanderbilt (22)
Virginia Tech (22)
Florida (22)
Auburn (22)
Tennssee (22)
Alabama (22)
Virginia (22)
Mississippi State (22)
Clemson (22)
Washington & Lee (22)
Maryland (22)
LSU (22)
Georgia (22)
Tulane (22)
South Carolina (22)
Mississippi (22)
NC State (22)
VMI (23)
Sewanee (23)
Duke (29)
Wake Forest (36)
Davidson (36)
Richmond (36)
William & Mary (36)
George Washington (41)
West Virgina (50)
East Carolina (54)
Marshall (76)
ETSU (78)

By my count that's 31 X-Southern programs in its long history

[BearsCountry]

MVC has to be up there as well.

Missouri
Nebraska
Kansas
Kansas State
Iowa
Iowa State
Oklahoma
Washington (Mo)
Grinnell
Oklahoma State
Saint Louis
Louisville
Memphis
Cincinnati
Houston
Detroit
New Mexico State
West Texas State
Detroit
Butler
North Texas
Washburn
Tulsa

[ChooChoo]

It's more than the 2 previous conferences that Georgia State belonged to:
19 FormerTAAC / Atlantic Sun members
Oklahoma City University 1978-1979
University of Texas Pan American 1978-1980
University of Louisiana at Monroe 1978-1982
Houston Baptist University 1978-1989
Hardin-Simmons University 1978-1990
Centenary College of Louisiana 1978-1999
Samford University 1978-2003
Northwestern State University 1980-1984
University of Arkansas at Little Rock 1980-1991
Georgia Southern University 1980-1992
Georgia State University 1984-2005
University of Texas at San Antonio 1986-1991
Southeastern Louisiana University 1991-1997
Florida International University 1991-1998
College of Charleston 1992-1997
University of Central Florida 1992-2005
Florida Atlantic University 1993-2006
Jacksonville State University 1995-2003
Troy University 1997-2005

14 Former Sun Belt Conference members
Georgia State - 1976-1981
Jacksonville - 1976-1998
Charlotte - 1976-1991
South Florida - 1976-1991
UAB - 1979-1991
Virginia Commonwealth - 1979-1991
Old Dominion - 1982-1991
Central Florida - 1991-1992
Lamar - 1991-1998
Texas-Pan American - 1991-1998
Louisiana Tech - 1991-2001
New Mexico State - 2001-2005
Idaho (football only) - 2001-2005
Utah State (football only) - 2003-2005

[AppGrad06]

I was perusing the Southern Conference Record Book yesterday and failed to realize just how many programs have gone through the Conference and onward to bigger (Div 1-A) or lesser (No program) ways. I was wondering if in its History does the S.C. have the most X-Programs?

Here's a list based upon my 1st scan: I listed first year in the Conference for reference

North Carolina (22)
Georgia Tech (22)
Vanderbilt (22)
Virginia Tech (22)
Florida (22)
Auburn (22)
Tennssee (22)
Alabama (22)
Virginia (22)
Mississippi State (22)
Clemson (22)
Washington & Lee (22)
Maryland (22)
LSU (22)
Georgia (22)
Tulane (22)
South Carolina (22)
Mississippi (22)
NC State (22)
VMI (23)
Sewanee (23)
Duke (29)
Wake Forest (36)
Davidson (36)
Richmond (36)
William & Mary (36)
George Washington (41)
West Virgina (50)
East Carolina (54)
Marshall (76)
ETSU (78)

By my count that's 31 X-Southern programs in its long history

A large part of the reason that there are so many is that both the ACC and SEC were born out of the SoCon, as you can see by looking at the older memebrs.

[PaladinFan]

note my signature.

ETSU and George Washington might be the only teams on there with no program. I know some people who played for Sewanee back in the day, but they might have since canceled their program.

[aztecjim]

Paladin,

Sewanee(aka University of the South) does still play D-III football in the Southern College AC.

[EKU05]

Certainly not a record holder, but here are all of the former OVC schools that I can think of off the top of my head...

Marshall
Louisville
Western Kentucky
Evansville
Akron
Youngstown State
Middle Tennessee
ETSU
Samford (within a few months)

[TheBisonator]

There's something like 25 or 26 former Summit League (Mid-Con) members. Most of the Missouri Valley and a lot more schools as well.

[dgreco]

There's something like 25 or 26 former Summit League (Mid-Con) members. Most of the Missouri Valley and a lot more schools as well.

I think its like 15-20, and the unique one for the Summit is Central Connecticut State.

[DFW HOYA]

Former Mid-Con (Summit) schools:

Akron 1990-1992
Buffalo 1994-1998
Central Connecticut State 1994-1998
Chicago State 1994-2006
Cleveland State 1982-1994
Eastern Illinois 1982-1996
Illinois-Chicago 1982-1994
Northeastern Illinois 1994-1998
Northern Illinois 1990-1994
Northern Iowa 1982-1991
Southwest Missouri State 1982-1990
Troy State 1994-1997
Wisconsin-Green Bay 1982-1994
Wisconsin-Milwaukee 1993-1994
Valparaiso 1982-2007
Wright State 1991-1994
Youngstown State 1992-2001

[dbackjon]

Summit (Mid-Con) former members:

Institution Years Moved To
University of Akron 1990-1992 Mid-American Conference
University at Buffalo 1994-1998 Mid-American Conference
Central Connecticut State University 1994-1998 Northeast Conference
Chicago State University 1994-2006 Independent
Cleveland State University 1982-1994 Horizon League
Eastern Illinois University 1982-1996 Ohio Valley Conference
University of Illinois at Chicago 1982-1994 Horizon League
Northeastern Illinois University 1994-1998 Disbanded sports
Northern Illinois University 1990-1994 Mid-American Conference
University of Northern Iowa 1982-1991 Missouri Valley Conference
Missouri State University 1982-1990 Missouri Valley Conference
Troy University 1994-1997 Sun Belt
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay 1982-1994 Horizon League
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 1993-1994 Horizon League
Valparaiso University 1982-2007 Horizon League
Wright State University 1991-1994 Horizon League
Youngstown State University 1992-2001 Horizon League

[Ivytalk]

Paladin,

Sewanee(aka University of the South) does still play D-III football in the Southern College AC.

My son played there a few years ago! One year long ago, they went undefeated and beat the likes of Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama.xreadx

[brownbear]

Former Ivy League programs:















































?

[dbackjon]

Big Sky has only 5 former members

Gonzaga
Nevada
Idaho
Boise State
Cal-State Northridge



Of course, a lot of Griz Nation thinks they are too good for the BSC, and want to be ex-members, just as soon as they get the inevitable Pac-10 invite.

[McNeese75]

SLC (founded in 1963)

ULL
ULM
North Texas State
Troy
Jacksonville State
La Tech
Abilene Christian
Arkansas State

[mvemjsunpx]

Big Sky has only 5 former members

Gonzaga
Nevada
Idaho
Boise State
Cal-State Northridge



Of course, a lot of Griz Nation thinks they are too good for the BSC, and want to be ex-members, just as soon as they get the inevitable Pac-10 invite.


And when the Pac-10 begs for our membership, we will consider it.

If they perform their duties admirably, they will provide a useful platform for our ascent to godhood.











Seriously, I oppose a moving to FBS at this point. Before you single out Montana, however, I should point out that many Portland State fans have expressed a desire for a move up, too. That's far more insane than what Griz fans are proposing.

[JMUFortier]

I can only think of three from the Yankee/A-10/CAA:

Vermont (dropped in 1974)
Boston University (dropped in 1997)
Connecticut (left in 2000 for the Big East)

Added: Holy Cross (left in 1971 to become independent) (according to Wikipedia, so I don't know if this is reliable)

[slostang]

Great West Football Conference

St. Mary's (dropped football before they played a game).
University of Northern Colorado (Big Sky 2006)
North Dakota State (Gateway 2008)
South Dakota State (Gateway 2008)

[Hoyadestroya85]

We were never a member of a conference until we went I-AA and joined the yankee

[TheValleyRaider]

Former Patriot League members:

Fordham (left in 1995 for A-10, now just Football affiliate)
Davidson (although they dropped before the League actually started playing)
William & Mary (maybe, I'm not sure if they were ever a member, or were just thinking about it)

Former Affiliates also include (last season):
Towson Football (2003)
Hobart Men's Lacrosse (2004)
Ursinus Field Hockey (2000)
Fairfield Field Hockey (2003)

There might be some others I'm forgetting

[TexasTerror]

SLC (founded in 1963)

ULL
ULM
North Texas State
Troy
Jacksonville State
La Tech
Abilene Christian
Arkansas State

Don't forget Trinity... ;)

[UNH_Alum_In_CT]

I can only think of three from the Yankee/A-10/CAA:

Vermont (dropped in 1974)
Boston University (dropped in 1997)
Connecticut (left in 2000 for the Big East)

Added: Holy Cross (left in 1971 to become independent) (according to Wikipedia, so I don't know if this is reliable)

Seeing that I'm Class of 1972 from UNH, I can say that Holy Cross was not a member of the Yankee Conference in 1971. And IIRC was never a member of the all sports version or the football version of the Yankee Conference. At one time they played basketball in the ECAC North and the North Atlantic Conference with BU, Northeastern, UNH and Maine, but that ended in the mid 80's IIRC.

[DFW HOYA]

Holy Cross played one season in the Yankee but did not have a full conference schedule, playing only BU, UConn, NE, and UMass.

[Cocky]

OVC

Marshall
Evansville
Middle Tenn
Western Kentucky
Louisville
East Tenn.
Morehead??
Youngstown State
Akron
Samford

[Eaglesrus]

My son played there a few years ago! One year long ago, they went undefeated and beat the likes of Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama.xreadx

Same can be said for Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, but they no longer have a football program.

[furman94]

FU has been and will be in the SOCON!

[Poly Pigskin]

Great West Football Conference

St. Mary's (dropped football before they played a game).
University of Northern Colorado (Big Sky 2006)
North Dakota State (Gateway 2008)
South Dakota State (Gateway 2008)

It's interesting to think about what might have happened if SMC kept their program. UNC would have left anyway, but we would have had 6 members still, with the clock ticking down for eligibility for the autobid. We'd be pretty close to getting one now (I forget exactly how long you have to wait as a new conference with transitional members), which might have been enough to keep NDSU and SDSU in the GW. Then with the addition of UND and USD...that would be a heck of a conference!

Oh well... :(

[mvemjsunpx]

It's interesting to think about what might have happened if SMC kept their program. UNC would have left anyway, but we would have had 6 members still, with the clock ticking down for eligibility for the autobid. We'd be pretty close to getting one now (I forget exactly how long you have to wait as a new conference with transitional members), which might have been enough to keep NDSU and SDSU in the GW. Then with the addition of UND and USD...that would be a heck of a conference!

Oh well... :(

A conference doesn't automatically get an autobid just for meeting the criteria. The NCAA would have still had to expand the playoff field & approve the autobid for the Great West to get one. The NEC has been eligible without having an autobid for quite a while, I believe.

[Poly Pigskin]

A conference doesn't automatically get an autobid just for meeting the criteria. The NCAA would have still had to expand the playoff field & approve the autobid for the Great West to get one. The NEC has been eligible without having an autobid for quite a while, I believe.

You're right, it wouldn't be automatic. I think the NCAA would have a lot of pressure to make sure it happened quickly though because of the strength of the GWFC. If not for transitional teams, our conference would almost certainly have gotten an at large for the last 3 seasons; the NEC (or any other conference without an autobid) cannot say the same.

[Jiggs]

I was perusing the Southern Conference Record Book yesterday and failed to realize just how many programs have gone through the Conference and onward to bigger (Div 1-A) or lesser (No program) ways. I was wondering if in its History does the S.C. have the most X-Programs?

Here's a list based upon my 1st scan: I listed first year in the Conference for reference

North Carolina (22)
Georgia Tech (22)
Vanderbilt (22)
Virginia Tech (22)
Florida (22)
Auburn (22)
Tennssee (22)
Alabama (22)
Virginia (22)
Mississippi State (22)
Clemson (22)
Washington & Lee (22)
Maryland (22)
LSU (22)
Georgia (22)
Tulane (22)
South Carolina (22)
Mississippi (22)
NC State (22)
VMI (23)
Sewanee (23)
Duke (29)
Wake Forest (36)
Davidson (36)
Richmond (36)
William & Mary (36)
George Washington (41)
West Virgina (50)
East Carolina (54)
Marshall (76)
ETSU (78)

By my count that's 31 X-Southern programs in its long history

I don't believe that Davidson is an X-Southern program.

[furman94]

Davidson is a X Socon Football member because they no longer play football in the SOCON. They now play in the Pioneer League...

[EKU05]

That would be the Pioneer Football League actually.

[TheValleyRaider]

Davidson is a X Socon Football member because they no longer play football in the SOCON. They now play in the Patriot League...


That would be the Pioneer Football League actually.

Key difference there. We have an autobid :D