# Sun Conference

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> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Sun_Conference.md
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> Source revision: 1349077755
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{{short description|College athletic conference}}

{{Infobox sports league
| name         = Sun Conference
| logo         = Sun Conference logo.svg
| logo_size    = 200
| founded      = {{start date and age|1990}}
| association   = [NAIA](/source/National_Association_of_Intercollegiate_Athletics)
| teams        = 10
| sports       = 24
| mens         = 10
| womens       = 13
| coed         = 1
| region       = [Southern United States](/source/Southern_United_States)
| formerly     = Florida Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (1990–1992)<br />Florida Sun Conference (1992–2008)
| headquarters = [Tampa, Florida](/source/Tampa%2C_Florida)
| commissioner = Dustin Wilke
| website      = {{url|https://thesunconference.com/| thesunconference.com}}
| map          = FSC-USA-states.PNG
| map_size     = 250
| color        = #303C4A; border: 2px solid #FF8300
| font_color   = white
}}

The '''Sun Conference''' ('''TSC''') is a [college athletic conference](/source/List_of_college_athletic_conferences_in_the_United_States) affiliated with the [National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics](/source/National_Association_of_Intercollegiate_Athletics) (NAIA). Eight of the ten full member institutions are located in [Florida](/source/Florida), with two in [Georgia](/source/Georgia_(U.S._state)). The Sun Conference competes in the NAIA in all sponsored sports.

==History==
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The conference was created in March 1990 as the '''Florida Intercollegiate Athletic Conference''' ('''FIAC'''), and renamed to the '''Florida Sun Conference''' in 1992.  Charter members consisted of [Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University](/source/Embry%E2%80%93Riddle_Aeronautical_University%2C_Daytona_Beach), [Flagler College](/source/Flagler_College), [Florida Memorial University](/source/Florida_Memorial_University), [Nova University of Advanced Technology](/source/Nova_Southeastern_University) (now Nova Southeastern University), [Palm Beach Atlantic University](/source/Palm_Beach_Atlantic_University), [Saint Thomas University](/source/St._Thomas_University_(Florida)), [Warner Southern College](/source/Warner_University) (now Warner University) and [Webber International University](/source/Webber_International_University).

The league later grew to nine members with the addition of [Northwood University](/source/Northwood_University) in 1994 (now Keiser University).  Between 2002 and 2006, Nova Southeastern (2002), Palm Beach Atlantic (2003) and Flagler (2006) moved to [NCAA Division II](/source/NCAA_Division_II). But the league was able to recruit new members as [Savannah College of Art and Design](/source/Savannah_College_of_Art_and_Design) joined in 2004, followed by [Edward Waters College](/source/Edward_Waters_University) (now a university) in 2006. It adopted its current name in August 2008 to reflect its expansion to institutions outside of Florida.<ref name="about">{{cite web|url=http://www.thesunconference.com/Sports/gen/2007/aboutthefsc.asp?nl=1|title=About the Sun Conference|access-date=November 19, 2008}}</ref>  With the addition of the [University of South Carolina at Beaufort](/source/University_of_South_Carolina_at_Beaufort) in 2008, the Florida campus of [Johnson & Wales University](/source/Johnson_%26_Wales_University) at [North Miami](/source/North_Miami%2C_Florida), [Southeastern University](/source/Southeastern_University_(Florida)) and [Ave Maria University](/source/Ave_Maria_University) in 2009, and [Thomas University](/source/Thomas_University) of Georgia in 2012, along with Edward Waters' move to the [Gulf Coast Athletic Conference](/source/HBCU_Athletic_Conference) after the 2009–10 season, the league membership stood at 12 schools as of the 2012–13 season.

In 2014, [Point University](/source/Point_University) and former member Edward Waters College joined the conference for football only.  Starting with the 2016 season, all six football members moved to the [Mid-South Conference](/source/Mid-South_Conference) for that sport.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mid-South Conference Creates Largest College Football Conference |url=http://www.thesunconference.com/news/2016/2/25/FB_0225164727.aspx?path=fb|access-date=February 27, 2016|date=February 25, 2016}}</ref>  Charter member [Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University](/source/Embry%E2%80%93Riddle_Aeronautical_University%2C_Daytona_Beach) departed the conference on June 30, 2015 and joined the [Sunshine State Conference](/source/Sunshine_State_Conference) (D-II). In 2017, the [College of Coastal Georgia](/source/College_of_Coastal_Georgia) joined the Sun Conference,<ref name=thesunconference2017>{{cite news|title=COASTAL GEORGIA SET TO OFFICIALLY BECOME SUN CONFERENCE MEMBER|url=http://www.thesunconference.com/news/2017/6/29/Coastal_Georgia_Sun_Conference.aspx|access-date=July 12, 2017|date=June 29, 2017}}</ref> with the conference again standing at a total of 12 members. In 2018, Sun Conference member Keiser added football<ref name="KeiserAddsFootball">{{cite news|last1=Evenson|first1=Johyn|title=Keiser University Athletics adds football starting in 2018|url=http://cbs12.com/sports/content/keiser-university-adds-a-football-team-starting-in-2018|access-date=April 23, 2018|date=October 11, 2016}}</ref> but Edward Waters left the Mid-South football league. In 2019, Saint Thomas also added football and Florida Memorial re-added the sport after more than 60 years,<ref>{{cite news |title=St. Thomas to Launch Football in 2019; Joins MSC Sun Division |url=http://www.mid-southconference.org/article/7018 |access-date=February 24, 2020 |work=mid-southconference.org |date=August 29, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/college/state-college-sports/article231128548.html|title=This is why Florida Memorial is bringing back college football after a 61-year hiatus|work=Miami Herald|date=June 4, 2019|access-date=February 24, 2020}}</ref> bringing the number of members participating in football to 8. 

On June 25, 2020, Johnson & Wales announced it would close down its North Miami campus at the end of the 2020–21 school year,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Johnson & Wales, which trained many local chefs, is closing its North Miami campus|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/north-miami/article243796462.html|access-date=June 30, 2020|date=June 25, 2020|url-access=subscription}}</ref> and on July 28, Johnson & Wales North Miami discontinued all sports.<ref>{{cite news |title=Johnson & Wales Discontinues Athletics |url=https://www.victorysportsnetwork.com/Clip/news/johnson-wales-discontinues-athletict.htm |access-date=January 26, 2021 |work=Victory Sports Network |date=July 30, 2020}}</ref>

On April 14, 2021, USCB Beaufort reported its invitation to join the Division II [Peach Belt Conference](/source/Peach_Belt_Conference) in 2022 after applying for membership in, and pending acceptance into, the NCAA.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://uscbathletics.com/news/2021/4/14/general-peach-belt-accepts-uscb-as-newest-league-member.aspx|title=Peach Belt Accepts USCB as Newest League Member|work=USCB Sand Sharks|date=April 14, 2021|access-date=April 18, 2021}}</ref> The conference published on December 22 its reinstatement of football for the 2022 season, having grown to seven schools,<ref name=SunFootball>{{cite news |title=Football Returns to the Sun Conference in 2022 |url=https://thesunconference.com/news/2021/12/22/football-returns-to-the-sun-conference-in-2022.aspx |access-date=December 24, 2021 |publisher=Sun Conference |date=December 22, 2021}}</ref> with Thomas initiating football to become the eighth football member.<ref name="TU starts football">{{cite web |title=Mitjans Named Head Coach of Thomas University's New Football Team |url=https://tunighthawks.com/news/2022/1/25/mitjans-named-head-coach.aspx |access-date=February 4, 2022 |date=January 25, 2022}}</ref> By July 15, 2022, USCB was already accepted into the [Continental Athletic Conference](/source/Continental_Athletic_Conference), formerly the Association of Independent Institutions, only for the first of its three-year NCAA provisional membership but with a Peach Belt schedule as part of the Sand Sharks' dual NAIA-NCAA membership.<ref>{{cite press release |title=USC Beaufort Approved for NCAA DII Membership |url=https://uscbathletics.com/news/2022/7/14/general-usc-beaufort-approved-for-ncaa-division-ii-membership.aspx |access-date=July 16, 2022 |work=USCB Athletics |date=July 14, 2022}}</ref>

In 2021, the Sun Conference added the [University of Mobile](/source/University_of_Mobile), [St. Andrews University](/source/St._Andrews_University_(North_Carolina)), [Truett McConnell University](/source/Truett_McConnell_University), and [William Carey University](/source/William_Carey_University) as affiliate members for beach volleyball.<ref name="BVAffiliate">{{cite news |title=Sun Conference Beach Volleyball Adds Affiliate Members |url=https://thesunconference.com/news/2021/7/29/sun-conference-beach-volleyball-adds-affiliate-members.aspx |access-date=2 March 2023 |date=July 29, 2021}}</ref> [Loyola University of New Orleans](/source/Loyola_University_New_Orleans) also participates in beach volleyball.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://loyolawolfpack.com/news/2023/2/25/beach-volleyball-beach-volleyball-gets-first-conference-win-saturday.aspx | title=Beach volleyball gets first conference win Saturday }}</ref>

In 2022, [Life University](/source/Life_University) began participating in men's swimming, women's swimming, and women's lacrosse.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://liferunningeagles.com/news/2022/8/10/lifeu-life-u-athletics-releases-conference-affiliations-for-2022-23.aspx | title=Life U Athletics Releases Conference Affiliations for 2022-23 }}</ref>

On July 1, 2022, Thomas announced that they would leave the conference and join the [Southern States Athletic Conference](/source/Southern_States_Athletic_Conference) (SSAC), starting in the 2023–24 academic year.<ref>{{cite press release |title=TU Set to Join SSAC in 2023-24 |url=https://tunighthawks.com/news/2022/7/1/tu-set-to-join-ssac.aspx |access-date=July 26, 2022 |work=TU Night Hawks Athletics |date=July 1, 2022}}</ref> They remain in the Sun Conference as an affiliate member for football, and men's and women's swimming from that day forward.

On October 2, 2023, the [New College of Florida](/source/New_College_of_Florida) became the newest member to join the conference, starting in the 2024–25 academic year.<ref>{{cite news |title=NAIA Announces Five New Members |url=https://www.naia.org/general/2023-24/releases/NAIA_NewMembersFall_10_2_2023 |access-date=October 30, 2023 |publisher=NAIA |date=October 2, 2023}}</ref>

===Chronological timeline===
* 1990 – In March 1990, the Sun Conference was founded as the Florida Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (FIAC). Charter members included [Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University–Daytona Beach](/source/Embry%E2%80%93Riddle_Aeronautical_University%2C_Daytona_Beach), [Flagler College](/source/Flagler_College), [Florida Memorial University](/source/Florida_Memorial_University), [Nova University of Advanced Technology](/source/Nova_Southeastern_University) (now Nova Southeastern University), [Palm Beach Atlantic University](/source/Palm_Beach_Atlantic_University), [Saint Thomas University](/source/St._Thomas_University_(Florida)), [Warner Southern College](/source/Warner_University) (now Warner University) and [Webber International University](/source/Webber_International_University), beginning the 1990–91 academic year.
* 1992 – The FIAC has been rebranded as the Florida Sun Conference in the 1992–93 academic year.
* 1994 – [Northwood University–Florida](/source/Northwood_University) joined the Florida Sun in the 1994–95 academic year.
* 2002 – Nova Southeastern left the Florida Sun and the NAIA to join the [Division II](/source/NCAA_Division_II) ranks of the [National Collegiate Athletic Association](/source/National_Collegiate_Athletic_Association) (NCAA) and the [Sunshine State Conference](/source/Sunshine_State_Conference) (SSC) after the 2001–02 academic year.
* 2003 – Palm Beach Atlantic left the Florida Sun and the NAIA to join the NCAA Division II ranks as an [NCAA D-II Independent](/source/NCAA_Division_II_independent_schools) after the 2002–03 academic year.
* 2004 – [Savannah College of Art and Design at Savannah](/source/Savannah_College_of_Art_and_Design) joined the Florida Sun in the 2004–05 academic year.
* 2006 – Flagler left the Florida Sun and the NAIA to join the NCAA Division II ranks as an [NCAA D-II Independent](/source/NCAA_Division_II_independent_schools) after the 2005–06 academic year.
* 2006 – [Edward Waters College](/source/Edward_Waters_University) (now Edward Waters University) joined the Florida Sun in the 2006–07 academic year.
* 2008 – The Florida Sun has been rebranded as The Sun Conference in the 2008–09 academic year.
* 2008 – The [University of South Carolina at Beaufort](/source/University_of_South_Carolina_Beaufort) (South Carolina–Beaufort or USC Beaufort) joined The Sun in the 2008–09 academic year.
* 2009 – [Ave Maria University](/source/Ave_Maria_University), the Florida campus of [Johnson & Wales University](/source/Johnson_%26_Wales_University) (Johnson and Wales–North Miami) and [Southeastern University of Florida](/source/Southeastern_University) joined The Sun in the 2009–10 academic year. Ave Maria joined as an associate/provisional member.
* 2010 – Edward Waters left The Sun to join the [Gulf Coast Athletic Conference](/source/HBCU_Athletic_Conference) (GCAC; now the HBCU Athletic Conference or HBCUAC) after the 2009–10 academic year.
* 2012 – [Thomas University](/source/Thomas_University) joined The Sun in the 2012–13 academic year.
* 2014 – [Point University](/source/Point_University) joined The Sun as an affiliate member for football (with Edward Waters re-joining) in the 2014 fall season (2014–15 academic year).
* 2015 – Embry–Riddle left The Sun and the NAIA to join the NCAA Division II ranks and the SSC after the 2014–15 academic year.
* 2015 – Northwood–Florida left The Sun as the school announced that it would close after the 2014–15 academic year. However, [Keiser University](/source/Keiser_University) purchased the location, therefore it has inherited everything Northwood–Florida had sponsored (including its athletic program) and joined The Sun, beginning the 2015–16 academic year.
* 2017 – Point and Edward Waters left The Sun as affiliate members for football after the 2016 fall season (2016–17 academic year).
* 2017 – The [College of Coastal Georgia](/source/College_of_Coastal_Georgia) joined The Sun in the 2017–18 academic year.
* 2020 – Johnson and Wales–Florida left The Sun as the school announced that it would close after the 2019–20 academic year.
* 2021 – The [University of Mobile](/source/University_of_Mobile), [St. Andrews University of North Carolina](/source/St._Andrews_University_(North_Carolina)), [Truett McConnell University](/source/Truett_McConnell_University) and [William Carey University](/source/William_Carey_University) joined The Sun as affiliate members for beach volleyball in the 2022 spring season (2021–22 academic year).
* 2022 – South Carolina–Beaufort (USCB or USC Beaufort) left The Sun to join the [Continental Athletic Conference](/source/NAIA_independent_schools), in addition to the NCAA Division II ranks and the [Peach Belt Conference](/source/Peach_Belt_Conference) (PBC) in the 2022–23 academic year. USC Beaufort would later leave the CAC and the NAIA after that school year to focus on realigning to the Peach Belt and the NCAA.
* 2022 – Four institutions joined The Sun as affiliate members (and/or added other single sports into their affiliate memberships), all effective in the 2022–23 academic year:
** [Life University](/source/Life_University) for women's lacrosse and men's & women's swimming
** [Loyola University New Orleans](/source/Loyola_University_New_Orleans) for beach volleyball and men's & women's swimming
** and the [University of Tennessee Southern](/source/University_of_Tennessee_Southern) and William Carey for men's and women's swimming
* 2023 – Thomas (Ga.) left The Sun and join the [Southern States Athletic Conference](/source/Southern_States_Athletic_Conference) (SSAC) after the 2022–23 academic year; while its football and men's & women's swimming teams remained as an affiliate member.
* 2023 – Point (Ga.) rejoined The Sun as an affiliate member for men's and women's swimming in the 2023–24 academic year.
* 2024 – Point (Ga.) left The Sun as an affiliate member for men's and women's swimming after the 2023–24 academic year.
* 2024 – The [New College of Florida](/source/New_College_of_Florida) joined The Sun in the 2024–25 academic year.
* 2024 – [Brenau University](/source/Brenau_University) and [Spartanburg Methodist College](/source/Spartanburg_Methodist_College) joined The Sun as affiliate members for beach volleyball in the 2025 spring season (2024–25 academic year).

==Member schools==
===Current members===
The Sun currently has ten full members, all but two are [private](/source/Private_university) schools.<ref name="thesunconference2007">{{cite web|url=http://thesunconference.com/Sports/gen/2007/aboutthefsc.asp?nl=1 |title=The Sun Conference |publisher=The Sun Conference |date=August 18, 2008 |access-date=December 14, 2009}}</ref><ref name=thesunconference2017/> Departing members are highlighted in pink.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! Institution
! Location
! Founded
! Affiliation
! Enrollment
! Nickname
! Joined{{efn|group=full|Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.}}
! Basketball?
|-
| '''[Ave Maria University](/source/Ave_Maria_University)'''
| [Ave Maria, Florida](/source/Ave_Maria%2C_Florida)
| 2003
| [Catholic](/source/Catholic_Church)<br>{{small|([Diocese of Venice](/source/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Venice_in_Florida))}}
| 1,335
| [Gyrenes](/source/Ave_Maria_Gyrenes)
| 2009
| both
|-
| {{sort|Coastal Georgia|'''[College of Coastal Georgia](/source/College_of_Coastal_Georgia)'''}}
| [Brunswick, Georgia](/source/Brunswick%2C_Georgia)
| 1961
| Public
| 3,189
| [Mariners](/source/Coastal_Georgia_Mariners)
| 2017
| both
|-
| '''[Florida Memorial University](/source/Florida_Memorial_University)'''
| [Miami Gardens, Florida](/source/Miami_Gardens%2C_Florida)
| 1879
| [American Baptist](/source/American_Baptist_Churches_USA){{efn|group=full|name=HBCU|Also a [historically black college and university](/source/Historically_black_colleges_and_universities).}}
| 1,365
| [Lions](/source/Florida_Memorial_Lions)
| 1990
| both
|-
| '''[Keiser University](/source/Keiser_University)'''
| [West Palm Beach, Florida](/source/West_Palm_Beach%2C_Florida)
| 1977
| Nonsectarian
| 20,102
| [Seahawks](/source/Keiser_Seahawks){{efn|group=full|Keiser University's teams were the teams of [Northwood University](/source/Northwood_University)'s Florida campus until Keiser University purchased it in 2015 and made the teams its own.}}
| 2015
| both
|-
| '''[New College of Florida](/source/New_College_of_Florida)'''<br>(NCF)
| [Sarasota, Florida](/source/Sarasota%2C_Florida)
| 1960
| Public
| 732
| [Mighty Banyans](/source/NCF_Mighty_Banyans)
| 2024
| both
|-
| {{sort|Saint Thomas|'''[St. Thomas University](/source/St._Thomas_University_(Florida))'''}}
| [Miami Gardens, Florida](/source/Miami_Gardens%2C_Florida)
| 1961
| Catholic<br>{{small|([Archdiocese of Miami](/source/Roman_Catholic_Archdiocese_of_Miami))}}
| 6,455
| [Bobcats](/source/St._Thomas_Bobcats)
| 1990
| both
|-
| '''[Savannah College of Art and Design](/source/Savannah_College_of_Art_and_Design)'''
| [Savannah, Georgia](/source/Savannah%2C_Georgia)
| 1978
| [Non-profit](/source/Nonprofit_organization) [art school](/source/art_school)
| 17,575
| [Bees](/source/Savannah_College_of_Art_and_Design_Bees)
| 2004
| none{{efn|group=full|Savannah A&D had sponsored men's or women's basketball until after the 2008–09 school year.}}
|-
| '''[Southeastern University](/source/Southeastern_University_(Florida))'''
| [Lakeland, Florida](/source/Lakeland%2C_Florida)
| 1935
| [Assemblies of God](/source/Assemblies_of_God_USA)
| 10,400
| [Fire](/source/Southeastern_Fire)
| 2009
| both
|-
| '''[Warner University](/source/Warner_University)'''
| [Lake Wales, Florida](/source/Lake_Wales%2C_Florida)
| 1968
| [Church of God](/source/Church_of_God_(Anderson%2C_Indiana))
| 891
| [Royals](/source/Warner_Royals)
| 1990
| both
|-
| '''[Webber International University](/source/Webber_International_University)'''
| [Babson Park, Florida](/source/Babson_Park%2C_Florida)
| 1927
| Nonsectarian
| 930
| [Warriors](/source/Webber_International_Warriors)
| 1990
| both
|}

;Notes:
{{notelist|group=full}}

===Current affiliate members===
The Sun has nine affiliate members, all but one are [private](/source/Private_university) schools:

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! Institution
! Location
! Founded
! Affiliation
! Enrollment
! Nickname
! Joined{{efn|group=aff|Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.}}
! The Sun<br>sport(s)
! Current<br>conference
|-
| '''[Brenau University](/source/Brenau_University)'''{{efn|group=aff|name=women|This institution is a women's college, therefore it does not compete in men's sports.}}
| [Gainesville, Georgia](/source/Gainesville%2C_Georgia)
| 1878
| [Nonsectarian](/source/Nonsectarian)
| 2,420
| [Golden Tigers](/source/Brenau_Golden_Tigers)
| 2024
| beach volleyball 
| [Appalachian (AAC)](/source/Appalachian_Athletic_Conference)
|-
| '''[Life University](/source/Life_University)'''
| [Marietta, Georgia](/source/Marietta%2C_Georgia)
| 1974
| Nonsectarian
| 2,711
| [Running Eagles](/source/Life_Running_Eagles)
| 2022{{sup|w.lax.}}<br>2022{{sup|m.sw.}}<br>2022{{sup|w.sw.}}
| women's lacrosse<br>men's swimming<br>women's swimming
| [Southern States (SSAC)](/source/Southern_States_Athletic_Conference)
|-
| '''[Loyola University New Orleans](/source/Loyola_University_New_Orleans)'''
| [New Orleans, Louisiana](/source/New_Orleans)
| 1904
| [Catholic](/source/Catholic_Church) {{small|([Jesuit](/source/Jesuits))}}
| 4,351
| [Wolf Pack](/source/Loyola_Wolf_Pack)
| 2022{{sup|b.vb.}}<br>2022{{sup|m.sw.}}<br>2022{{sup|w.sw.}}
| beach volleyball<br>men's swimming<br>women's swimming
| [Southern States (SSAC)](/source/Southern_States_Athletic_Conference)
|-
| {{sort|Mobile|'''[University of Mobile](/source/University_of_Mobile)'''}}
| [Mobile, Alabama](/source/Mobile%2C_Alabama)
| 1961
| [Southern Baptist](/source/Alabama_Baptist_Convention)
| 1,911
| [Rams](/source/Mobile_Rams)
| 2021
| beach volleyball
| [Southern States (SSAC)](/source/Southern_States_Athletic_Conference)
|-
| {{sort|Spartanburg Methodist College|'''[Spartanburg Methodist College](/source/Spartanburg_Methodist_College)'''}}
| [Spartanburg, South Carolina](/source/Spartanburg%2C_South_Carolina)
| 1911
| United Methodist
| 1,029
| [Pioneers](/source/Spartanburg_Methodist_College)
| 2024
| beach volleyball 
| [Appalachian (AAC)](/source/Appalachian_Athletic_Conference)
|-
| '''[Thomas University](/source/Thomas_University)'''{{efn|group=aff|Thomas was a full member of The Sun from 2012–13 to 2022–23.}}
| [Thomasville, Georgia](/source/Thomasville%2C_Georgia)
| 1950
| Nonsectarian
| 1,583
| [Night Hawks](/source/Thomas_Night_Hawks)
| 2023{{sup|fb.}}<br>2023{{sup|m.sw.}}<br>2023{{sup|w.sw.}}
| football<br>men's swimming<br>women's swimming
| [Southern States (SSAC)](/source/Southern_States_Athletic_Conference)
|-
| {{sort|Tennessee–Southern|'''[University of Tennessee Southern](/source/University_of_Tennessee_Southern)'''}}
| [Pulaski, Tennessee](/source/Pulaski%2C_Tennessee)
| 1870
| Public{{efn|group=aff|name=UTenn|Part of the [University of Tennessee](/source/University_of_Tennessee_system) System.}}
| 978
| [FireHawks](/source/UT_Southern_FireHawks)
| 2022{{sup|m.sw.}}<br>2022{{sup|w.sw.}}
| men's swimming<br>women's swimming
| [Southern States (SSAC)](/source/Southern_States_Athletic_Conference)
|-
| '''[Truett McConnell University](/source/Truett_McConnell_University)'''
| [Cleveland, Georgia](/source/Cleveland%2C_Georgia)
| 1946
| [Baptist](/source/Georgia_Baptist_Convention)
| 2,714
| [Bears](/source/Truett_McConnell_Bears)
| 2021
| beach volleyball
| [Appalachian (AAC)](/source/Appalachian_Athletic_Conference)
|-
| '''[William Carey University](/source/William_Carey_University)'''
| [Hattiesburg, Mississippi](/source/Hattiesburg%2C_Mississippi)
| 1892
| [Southern Baptist](/source/Southern_Baptist)
| 5,448
| [Crusaders](/source/William_Carey_Crusaders)
| 2021{{sup|b.vb.}}<br>2022{{sup|m.sw.}}<br>2022{{sup|w.sw.}}
| beach volleyball<br>men's swimming<br>women's swimming
| [Southern States (SSAC)](/source/Southern_States_Athletic_Conference)
|}

;Notes:
{{notelist|group=aff}}

===Former members===
The Sun had nine former full members, most are [private](/source/Private_university) schools, one is [public](/source/Public_university), and two are defunct:

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! Institution
! Location
! Founded
! Affiliation
! Enrollment
! Nickname
! Joined{{efn|group=former|Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.}}
! Left{{efn|group=former|Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition ends.}}
! Subsequent<br>conference(s)
! Current<br>conference
|-
| '''[Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University](/source/Embry%E2%80%93Riddle_Aeronautical_University%2C_Daytona_Beach)'''<br>(Daytona Beach Campus)
| [Daytona Beach, Florida](/source/Daytona_Beach%2C_Florida)
| 1926
| [Nonsectarian](/source/Nonsectarian)
| 12,268
| [Eagles](/source/Embry%E2%80%93Riddle%E2%80%93Daytona_Beach_Eagles)
| 1990
| 2015
| colspan="2" | [Sunshine State (SSC)](/source/Sunshine_State_Conference){{efn|group=former|name=D2|Currently an [NCAA Division II](/source/NCAA_Division_II) athletic conference.}}<br>(2015–present)
|-
| '''[Edward Waters College](/source/Edward_Waters_University)'''{{efn|group=faff|Currently known as Edward Waters University since 2021.}}{{efn|group=faff|Edward Waters later joined The Sun as an affiliate member for football from the 2014 to 2016 fall seasons (2014–15 to 2016–17 school years).}}
| [Jacksonville, Florida](/source/Jacksonville%2C_Florida)
| 1866
| [A.M.E. Church](/source/African_Methodist_Episcopal_Church)
| 1,175
| [Tigers](/source/Edward_Waters_Tigers)
| 2006
| 2010
| [Gulf Coast (GCAC)](/source/HBCU_Athletic_Conference){{efn|group=former|Currently known as the [HBCU Athletic Conference](/source/HBCU_Athletic_Conference) since fall 2024.}}<br>(2010–21)
| [Southern (SIAC)](/source/Southern_Intercollegiate_Athletic_Conference){{efn|group=former|name=D2}}<br>(2021–present)
|-
| '''[Flagler College](/source/Flagler_College)'''
| [St. Augustine, Florida](/source/St._Augustine%2C_Florida)
| 1968
| Nonsectarian
| 2,441
| [Saints](/source/Flagler_Saints)
| 1990
| 2006
| [D-II Independent](/source/NCAA_Division_II_independent_schools)<br>(2006–09)
| [Peach Belt (PBC)](/source/Peach_Belt_Conference){{efn|group=former|name=D2}}<br>(2009–present)
|-
| '''[Northwood University–Florida](/source/Northwood_University)'''
| [West Palm Beach, Florida](/source/West_Palm_Beach%2C_Florida)
| 1984
| Nonsectarian
| N/A
| [Seahawks](/source/Northwood_Seahawks)
| 1994
| 2015
| colspan="2" | N/A{{efn|group=former|Northwood–Florida was sold to [Keiser University](/source/Keiser_University) in 2015.}}
|-
| '''[Johnson & Wales University–Florida](/source/Johnson_%26_Wales_University)'''
| [North Miami, Florida](/source/North_Miami%2C_Florida)
| 1992
| Nonsectarian
| N/A
| [Wildcats](/source/Johnson_%26_Wales%E2%80%93Florida_Wildcats)
| 2009
| 2020
| colspan="2" | Closed in 2021
|-
| '''[Nova Southeastern University](/source/Nova_Southeastern_University)'''
| [Fort Lauderdale, Florida](/source/Fort_Lauderdale%2C_Florida)
| 1964
| Nonsectarian
| 20,877
| [Sharks](/source/Nova_Southeastern_Sharks)
| 1990
| 2002
| colspan="2" | [Sunshine State (SSC)](/source/Sunshine_State_Conference){{efn|group=former|name=D2}}<br>(2002–present)
|-
| '''[Palm Beach Atlantic University](/source/Palm_Beach_Atlantic_University)'''
| [West Palm Beach, Florida](/source/West_Palm_Beach%2C_Florida)
| 1968
| [Nondenominational](/source/Nondenominational_Christianity)
| 3,875
| [Sailfish](/source/Palm_Beach_Atlantic_Sailfish)
| 1990
| 2003
| [D-II Independent](/source/NCAA_Division_II_independent_schools)<br>(2003–15)
| [Sunshine State (SSC)](/source/Sunshine_State_Conference){{efn|group=former|name=D2}}<br>(2015–present)
|-
| {{sort|South Carolina–Beaufort|'''[University of South Carolina Beaufort](/source/University_of_South_Carolina_Beaufort)'''}}
| [Beaufort, South Carolina](/source/Beaufort%2C_South_Carolina)
| 1959
| Public
| 2,121
| [Sand Sharks](/source/South_Carolina%E2%80%93Beaufort_Sand_Sharks)
| 2008
| 2022
| [Continental](/source/NAIA_independent_schools)<br>(2022–23)
| [Peach Belt (PBC)](/source/Peach_Belt_Conference){{efn|group=former|name=D2}}<br>(2022–present){{efn|group=former|name=USCB|USC Beaufort had dual membership with the NCAA (in its provisional transition phase) as the Sand Sharks remained in the NAIA as an Independent within the [Continental Athletic Conference](/source/NAIA_independent_schools) until spring 2023.}}
|-
| '''[Thomas University](/source/Thomas_University)'''{{efn|group=former|name=Thomas|Thomas remains an affiliate member of The Sun in football and men's & women's swimming.}}
| [Thomasville, Georgia](/source/Thomasville%2C_Georgia)
| 1950
| Nonsectarian
| 1,583
| [Night Hawks](/source/Thomas_Night_Hawks)
| 2012
| 2023
| colspan="2" | [Southern States (SSAC)](/source/Southern_States_Athletic_Conference)<br>(2023–present)
|}

;Notes:
{{notelist|group=former}}

===Former affiliate members===
The Sun had three former affiliate members, all of them were [private](/source/Private_university) schools:

For the 2014 and 2015 football seasons, Edward Waters and Point joined the conference.  All six members moved to the [Mid-South Conference](/source/Mid-South_Conference) for the 2016 season.  With the exception of Point, which participates in the Appalachian Division, these teams plus [Faulkner University](/source/Faulkner_University) now form the Sun Division of the Mid-South Conference.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Wilson|first1=Michael|title=Local teams officially join Mid-South football conference|url=http://www.theledger.com/article/20160225/SPORTS19/160229601|access-date=February 27, 2016|publisher=The Lakeland Ledger|date=February 25, 2016}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! Institution
! Location
! Founded
! Affiliation
! Enrollment
! Nickname
! Joined{{efn|group=faff|Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.}}
! Left{{efn|group=faff|Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition ends.}}
! The Sun<br>sport(s)
! Primary<br>conference
! Conference<br>in former<br>Sun sport
|-
| '''[Edward Waters College](/source/Edward_Waters_University)'''{{efn|group=faff|Currently known as Edward Waters University since 2021.}}{{efn|group=faff|Edward Waters was a full member of The Sun from 2006–07 to 2009–10.}}
| [Jacksonville, Florida](/source/Jacksonville%2C_Florida)
| 1866
| [A.M.E. Church](/source/African_Methodist_Episcopal_Church)
| 1,175
| [Tigers](/source/Edward_Waters_Tigers)
| 2014
| 2017
| football
| colspan="2" | [Southern (SIAC)](/source/Southern_Intercollegiate_Athletic_Conference){{efn|group=faff|name=D2|Currently an [NCAA Division II](/source/NCAA_Division_II) athletic conference.}}
|-
| '''[Point University](/source/Point_University)'''
| [West Point, Georgia](/source/West_Point%2C_Georgia)
| 1937
| [Christian](/source/Christian_churches_and_churches_of_Christ)
| 2,827
| [Skyhawks](/source/Point_Skyhawks)
| 2014{{sup|fb.}}<br>2023{{sup|m.sw.}}<br>2023{{sup|w.sw.}}
| 2017{{sup|fb.}}<br>2024{{sup|m.sw.}}<br>2024{{sup|w.sw.}}
| football<br>men's swimming<br>women's swimming
| [Southern States (SSAC)](/source/Southern_States_Athletic_Conference)
| [Appalachian (AAC)](/source/Appalachian_Athletic_Conference)
|-
| {{sort|Saint Andrews|'''[St. Andrews University](/source/St._Andrews_University_(North_Carolina))'''}}
| [Laurinburg, North Carolina](/source/Laurinburg%2C_North_Carolina)
| 1958
| [Presbyterian](/source/Presbyterian_Church_(USA))<br>{{small|(PCUSA)}}
| N/A
| [Knights](/source/St._Andrews_Knights)
| 2021
| 2025
| beach volleyball
| colspan="2" | Closed in 2025<ref>{{cite web|last=Ferguson|first=Mike|url=https://pcusa.org/news-storytelling/news/2025/4/29/st-andrews-university-announces-closing-its-campus-laurinburg-north-carolina|title=St. Andrews University announces the closing of its campus in Laurinburg, North Carolina|website=pcusa.org|publisher=[Presbyterian Church USA](/source/Presbyterian_Church_(USA))|date=April 29, 2025|access-date=July 7, 2025}}</ref>
|}

;Notes:
{{notelist|group=faff}}

===Membership timeline===
<timeline>

DateFormat = yyyy

ImageSize  = width:900 height:auto barincrement:20

Period     = from:1990 till:2026

TimeAxis   = orientation:horizontal

PlotArea   = right:5 left:5 bottom:40 top:5

Colors     =
          id:line value:black
          id:bg value:white
          id:Full value:rgb(0.7,0.9,0.8) # Use this color to denote a team that is a member in all sports
          id:FullxF value:rgb(0.9,0.8,0.7) # Use this color to denote a team that is a member in all sports except for football
          id:AssocF value:rgb(0.9,0.7,0.8) # Use this color to denote a team that is a member for football only
          id:AssocOS value:rgb(0.8,0.9,0.7) # Use this color to denote a team that is a member for another sport only
          id:OtherC1 value:rgb(0.996,0.996,0.699) # Use this color to denote a team that has moved in another conference
          id:OtherC2 value:rgb(0.988,0.703,0.383) # Use this color to denote a team that has moved in another conference when the other color has already been used
          id:MSCF value:rgb(0.9,0.9,0.7) # Use this color to denote a team that has moved its football to another conference

PlotData   =
 width:15 textcolor:black shift:(5,-5) anchor:from fontsize:s

 bar:1 color:FullxF from:1990 till:2015 text:[Embry–Riddle – Daytona Beach](/source/Embry%E2%80%93Riddle_Aeronautical_University%2C_Daytona_Beach) (1990–2015)
 bar:1 color:OtherC1 from:2015 till:end text:[Sunshine State](/source/Sunshine_State_Conference)

 bar:2 color:FullxF from:1990 till:2006 text:[Flagler](/source/Flagler_College) (1990–2006)
 bar:2 color:OtherC1 from:2006 till:2009 text:[D-II Ind.](/source/NCAA_Division_II_independent_schools)
 bar:2 color:OtherC2 from:2009 till:end text:[Peach Belt](/source/Peach_Belt_Conference)

 bar:3 color:FullxF from:1990 till:2020 text:[Florida Memorial](/source/Florida_Memorial_University) (1990–present)
 bar:3 color:MSCF from:2020 till:2022 text: Mid-South (fb.)
 bar:3 color:Full from:2022 till:end

 bar:4 color:FullxF from:1990 till:2002 text:[Nova Southeastern](/source/Nova_Southeastern_University) (1990–2002)
 bar:4 color:OtherC1 from:2002 till:end text:[Sunshine State](/source/Sunshine_State_Conference)

 bar:5 color:FullxF from:1990 till:2003 text:[Palm Beach Atlantic](/source/Palm_Beach_Atlantic_University) (1990–2003)
 bar:5 color:OtherC1 from:2003 till:2015 text:[D-II Ind.](/source/NCAA_Division_II_independent_schools)
 bar:5 color:OtherC2 from:2015 till:end text:[Sunshine State](/source/Sunshine_State_Conference)

 bar:6 color:FullxF from:1990 till:2019 text:[St. Thomas (Fla.)](/source/St._Thomas_University_(Florida)) (1990–present)
 bar:6 color:MSCF from:2019 till:2022 text: Mid-South (fb.)
 bar:6 color:Full from:2022 till:end

 bar:7 color:FullxF from:1990 till:2014 text:[Warner](/source/Warner_University) (1990–present)
 bar:7 color:Full from:2014 till:2017
 bar:7 color:MSCF from:2017 till:2022 text: Mid-South (fb.)
 bar:7 color:Full from:2022 till:end text:

 bar:8 color:FullxF from:1990 till:2014 text:[Webber International](/source/Webber_International_University) (1990–present)
 bar:8 color:Full from:2014 till:2017
 bar:8 color:MSCF from:2017 till:2022 text: Mid-South (fb.)
 bar:8 color:Full from:2022 till:end text:

 bar:9 color:FullxF from:1994 till:2015 text:[Northwood (Fla.)](/source/Northwood_University%2523Florida_Seahawks) (1994–2015)

 bar:10 color:FullxF from:2004 till:end text:[Savannah A&D](/source/Savannah_College_of_Art_and_Design) (2004–present)

 bar:11 color:FullxF from:2006 till:2010 text:[Edward Waters](/source/Edward_Waters_University) (2006–2010)
 bar:11 shift:(45) color:OtherC1 from:2010 till:2014 text:[HBCUAC](/source/HBCU_Athletic_Conference)
 bar:11 color:AssocF from:2014 till:2017 text:(2014–2016)
 bar:11 color:OtherC1 from:2017 till:2021 text:[HBCUAC](/source/HBCU_Athletic_Conference)
 bar:11 color:OtherC2 from:2021 till:end text:[SIAC](/source/Southern_Intercollegiate_Athletic_Conference)

 bar:12 color:FullxF from:2008 till:2022 text:[South Carolina–Beaufort](/source/University_of_South_Carolina_Beaufort) (2008–2022)
 bar:12 color:OtherC1 from:2022 till:end text:[Peach Belt](/source/Peach_Belt_Conference)

 bar:13 color:FullxF from:2009 till:2014 text:[Ave Maria](/source/Ave_Maria_University) (2009–present)
 bar:13 color:Full from:2014 till:2017
 bar:13 color:MSCF from:2017 till:2022 text: Mid-South (fb.)
 bar:13 color:Full from:2022 till:end text:

 bar:14 color:FullxF from:2009 till:2020 text:[Johnson & Wales](/source/Johnson_%2526_Wales_University%2523North_Miami_campus) (2009–2020)

 bar:15 color:FullxF from:2009 till:2014 text:[Southeastern (Fla.)](/source/Southeastern_University_(Florida)) (2009–present)
 bar:15 color:Full from:2014 till:2017
 bar:15 color:MSCF from:2017 till:2022 text: Mid-South (fb.)
 bar:15 color:Full from:2022 till:end text:

 bar:16 color:FullxF from:2012 till:2022 text:[Thomas](/source/Thomas_University) (2012–2023)
 bar:16 color:Full from:2022 till:2023
 bar:16 shift:(-100) color:AssocF from:2023 till:end text:[SSAC](/source/Southern_States_Athletic_Conference) (2023–present; SUN football)

 bar:17 color:AssocF from:2014 till:2017 text:[Point](/source/Point_University) (2014–2016; football)
 bar:17 shift:(-40) color:AssocOS from:2023 till:2024 text:(2023–2024; swimming)

 bar:18 color:FullxF from:2015 till:2018 text:[Keiser](/source/Keiser_University) (2015–present)
 bar:18 shift:(40) color:MSCF from:2018 till:2022 text: Mid-South (fb.)
 bar:18 color:Full from:2022 till:end text:

 bar:19 color:FullxF from:2017 till:end text:[Coastal Georgia](/source/College_of_Coastal_Georgia) (2017–present)

 bar:20 color:AssocOS from:2021 till:end text:[Mobile](/source/University_of_Mobile) (2021–present)

 bar:21 shift:(-50) color:AssocOS from:2021 till:2025 text:[St. Andrews (N.C.)](/source/St._Andrews_University_(North_Carolina)) (2021–2025)

 bar:22 shift:(-30) color:AssocOS from:2021 till:end text:[Truett McConnell](/source/Truett_McConnell_University) (2021–present)

 bar:23 shift:(-20) color:AssocOS from:2021 till:end text:[William Carey](/source/William_Carey_University) (2021–present)

 bar:24 color:AssocOS from:2022 till:end text:[Life](/source/Life_University) (2022–present)

 bar:25 shift:(-40) color:AssocOS from:2022 till:end text:[Loyola (La.)](/source/Loyola_University_New_Orleans) (2022–present)

 bar:26 shift:(-40) color:AssocOS from:2022 till:end text:[UT Southern](/source/University_of_Tennessee_Southern) (2022–present)

 bar:27 shift:(-120) color:FullxF from:2024 till:end text:[New College (Fla.)](/source/New_College_of_Florida) (2024–present)

 bar:28 shift:(-60) color:AssocOS from:2024 till:end text:[Brenau](/source/Brenau_University) (2024–present)

 bar:29 shift:(-130) color:AssocOS from:2024 till:end text:[Spartanburg Methodist](/source/Spartanburg_Methodist_College) (2024–present)

 bar:N color:orange from:1990 till:1992 text:FIAC
 bar:N color:red from:1992 till:2008 text:Florida Sun
 bar:N color:orange from:2008 till:end text:The Sun

ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit:year increment:2 start:1990

TextData   =
 fontsize:M
 textcolor:black
 pos:(0,25) tabs:(400-center)
 text:^"The Sun Conference membership history"

#> If the chart uses more than one bar color, add a legend by selecting the appropriate fields from the following three options (use only the colors that are used in the graphic.) Leave a blank line after the end of the timeline, then add a line with the selected values from the list, separated by a space.
{{Font color||{{RGB|178|229|204}}|&nbsp;Full member (all sports)&nbsp;}}
{{Font color||{{RGB|229|204|178}}|&nbsp;Full member (non-football)&nbsp;}}
{{Font color||{{RGB|229|178|204}}|&nbsp;Associate member (football-only)&nbsp;}}
<#
</timeline>

{{Font color||{{RGB|178|229|204}}|&nbsp;Full member (all sports)&nbsp;}}
{{Font color||{{RGB|229|204|178}}|&nbsp;Full member (non-football)&nbsp;}}
{{Font color||{{RGB|229|178|204}}|&nbsp;Associate member (football-only)&nbsp;}}

==Sports==

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Conference sports
!Sport||Men's||Women's
|-
|{{left}}[Baseball](/source/College_baseball) || {{Y}} ||
|-
|{{left}}[Basketball](/source/College_basketball) || {{Y}} || {{Y}}
|-
|{{left}}[Beach Volleyball](/source/Beach_Volleyball) ||  || {{Y}}
|-
|{{left}}[Cross Country](/source/Cross_country_running) || {{Y}} || {{Y}}
|-
|{{left}}[Flag football](/source/Flag_football) ||  || {{Y}}
|-
|{{left}}[Football](/source/American_football) || {{Y}} ||
|-
|{{left}}[Golf](/source/Golf) || {{Y}} || {{Y}}
|-
|{{left}}[Soccer](/source/College_soccer_in_the_United_States) || {{Y}} || {{Y}}
|-
|{{left}}[Softball](/source/College_softball) || || {{Y}}
|-
|{{left}}[Tennis](/source/Tennis) || {{Y}} || {{Y}}
|-
|{{left}}[Track & Field Outdoor](/source/Track_and_field) || {{Y}} || {{Y}}
|-
|{{left}}[Volleyball](/source/Volleyball) || || {{Y}}
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== 
* {{Official website}}

{{Sun Conference navbox}}
{{NAIA conference navbox}}
{{National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sun Conference}}
Category:Sun Conference

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Sun Conference](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Conference) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Conference?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.