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Piedmont College Set to Join USA South
(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.) - The USA South Athletic Conference is pleased to announce that Piedmont College has accepted an invitation to join the Conference as a full member. The Demorest, Georgia institution will begin USA South play during the 2012-13 academic year. The addition of Piedmont ensures the USA South will retain its NCAA Tournament automatic qualification for each of its 14 sports despite current member Shenandoah University's departure from the Conference following the 2011-12 academic year.
"The USA South enthusiastically welcomes Piedmont College to our athletic conference," said Pamela Fox, President of Mary Baldwin and Chair, USA South Presidents Council. "We value Piedmont's commitment to the benefits of the Division III collegiate experience through rigorous academic programs and competitive athletics. We look forward to years of spirited competition and enhanced experiences for our coaches and student-athletes."
"Piedmont College has a long, proud academic and athletic history and we are pleased that their student-athletes and coaches will now be competing for USA South championships and participating in all other Conference programs and activities," stated Rita Wiggs, USA South Commissioner.
Currently, the Lions, competing as full members of the Great South Athletic Conference, offer seven men's sports (baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer and tennis) and eight women's sports (basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball). The USA South currently sponsors each of Piedmont's sports with the exception of men's lacrosse and women's golf.
“We are delighted to accept the invitation for membership offered to Piedmont College by the USA South Athletic Conference," shared Dr. Ray Cleere, President of Piedmont College. "Our coaches and student athletes look forward to forging new relationships.”
"We believe Piedmont will provide the USA South growth, stability and quality athletic competition,” stated John Dzik, Piedmont Director of Athletics.
The Conference is still awaiting word from two other Great South institutions that were extended full membership offers by the Presidents of the USA South institutions. LaGrange College and Maryville College must inform the USA South if they accept the offer by May 1, 2011. If both of the institutions accept the offer, each would begin play within the USA South during the 2012-13 academic year.
Founded in 1897, Piedmont College is a comprehensive liberal arts institution that also offers a variety of career-oriented majors, including education, business and nursing. The total enrollment is approximately 2,800 students on campuses in Demorest and Athens, Georgia. The Demorest campus is a traditional residential campus located in rural Habersham County, and the Athens campus is designed for commuting students and is located near downtown Athens. Both campuses offer a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs, including education specialist programs and an education doctoral program.
