{{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 | teams = 10 | sports = 24 | mens = 10 | womens = 13 | coed = 1 | region = Southern United States | formerly = Florida Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (1990–1992)<br />Florida Sun Conference (1992–2008) | headquarters = Tampa, 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 affiliated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Eight of the ten full member institutions are located in Florida, with two in Georgia. The Sun Conference competes in the NAIA in all sponsored sports.
==History== {{OSM Location map | float = right | width = 350 | height = 425 | coord = {{coord|28.95|-81.75}} | nolabels = 1 | title = The Sun Conference | mark-coord = {{coord|25.9182| -80.2705}} |mark-size=10 |label=Florida Memorial |label-pos= left |mark= Orange ff8040 pog.svg | mark-coord1 = {{coord|25.9199| -80.2559}} |mark-size1=10 |label1=St. Thomas (FL) |label-pos1= bottom |mark1= Orange ff8040 pog.svg | mark-coord2 = {{coord|27.8263| -81.6022}} |mark-size2=10 |label2=Warner |label-pos2= bottom |mark2= Orange ff8040 pog.svg | mark-coord3 = {{coord|27.8398| -81.5359}} |mark-size3=10 |label3=Webber International |label-pos3= right |mark3= Orange ff8040 pog.svg | mark-coord4 = {{coord|32.073| -81.0961}} |mark-size4=10 |label4=SCAD |label-pos4= top |mark4= Orange ff8040 pog.svg | mark-coord5 = {{coord|26.336336| -81.438053}} |mark-size5=10 |label5=Ave Maria |label-pos5= top |mark5= Orange ff8040 pog.svg | mark-coord6 = {{coord|28.028621| -81.917331}} |mark-size6=10 |label6=Southeastern (FL) |label-pos6= top |mark6= Orange ff8040 pog.svg | mark-coord7 = {{coord|27.3850| -82.5640}} |mark-size7=10 |label7=New College |label-pos7= bottom |mark7= Orange ff8040 pog.svg | mark-coord8 = {{coord|26.186| -80.1638}} |mark-size8=10 |label8=Keiser |label-pos8= top |mark8= Orange ff8040 pog.svg | mark-coord9 = {{coord|31.184167| -81.484722}} |mark-size9=10 |label9=Coastal Georgia |label-pos9= bottom |mark9= Orange ff8040 pog.svg | zoom = 6 <!--(1=whole world, 18=a street)--> | caption = Location of TSC members: 10px current }}
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, Flagler College, Florida Memorial University, Nova University of Advanced Technology (now Nova Southeastern University), Palm Beach Atlantic University, Saint Thomas University, Warner Southern College (now Warner University) and Webber International University.
The league later grew to nine members with the addition of 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. But the league was able to recruit new members as Savannah College of Art and Design joined in 2004, followed by Edward Waters College (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 in 2008, the Florida campus of Johnson & Wales University at North Miami, Southeastern University and Ave Maria University in 2009, and Thomas University of Georgia in 2012, along with Edward Waters' move to the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference after the 2009–10 season, the league membership stood at 12 schools as of the 2012–13 season.
In 2014, 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 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 departed the conference on June 30, 2015 and joined the Sunshine State Conference (D-II). In 2017, the 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 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, 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, St. Andrews University, Truett McConnell University, and 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 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 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 (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 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, Flagler College, Florida Memorial University, Nova University of Advanced Technology (now Nova Southeastern University), Palm Beach Atlantic University, Saint Thomas University, Warner Southern College (now Warner University) and 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 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 ranks of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the 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 after the 2002–03 academic year. * 2004 – Savannah College of Art and Design at Savannah 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 after the 2005–06 academic year. * 2006 – Edward Waters College (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 (South Carolina–Beaufort or USC Beaufort) joined The Sun in the 2008–09 academic year. * 2009 – Ave Maria University, the Florida campus of Johnson & Wales University (Johnson and Wales–North Miami) and Southeastern University of Florida 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 (GCAC; now the HBCU Athletic Conference or HBCUAC) after the 2009–10 academic year. * 2012 – Thomas University joined The Sun in the 2012–13 academic year. * 2014 – 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 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 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, St. Andrews University of North Carolina, Truett McConnell University and 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, in addition to the NCAA Division II ranks and the 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 for women's lacrosse and men's & women's swimming ** Loyola University New Orleans for beach volleyball and men's & women's swimming ** and the 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 (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 joined The Sun in the 2024–25 academic year. * 2024 – Brenau University and 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 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''' | Ave Maria, Florida | 2003 | Catholic<br>{{small|(Diocese of Venice)}} | 1,335 | Gyrenes | 2009 | both |- | {{sort|Coastal Georgia|'''College of Coastal Georgia'''}} | Brunswick, Georgia | 1961 | Public | 3,189 | Mariners | 2017 | both |- | '''Florida Memorial University''' | Miami Gardens, Florida | 1879 | American Baptist{{efn|group=full|name=HBCU|Also a historically black college and university.}} | 1,365 | Lions | 1990 | both |- | '''Keiser University''' | West Palm Beach, Florida | 1977 | Nonsectarian | 20,102 | Seahawks{{efn|group=full|Keiser University's teams were the teams of Northwood University's Florida campus until Keiser University purchased it in 2015 and made the teams its own.}} | 2015 | both |- | '''New College of Florida'''<br>(NCF) | Sarasota, Florida | 1960 | Public | 732 | Mighty Banyans | 2024 | both |- | {{sort|Saint Thomas|'''St. Thomas University'''}} | Miami Gardens, Florida | 1961 | Catholic<br>{{small|(Archdiocese of Miami)}} | 6,455 | Bobcats | 1990 | both |- | '''Savannah College of Art and Design''' | Savannah, Georgia | 1978 | Non-profit art school | 17,575 | 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''' | Lakeland, Florida | 1935 | Assemblies of God | 10,400 | Fire | 2009 | both |- | '''Warner University''' | Lake Wales, Florida | 1968 | Church of God | 891 | Royals | 1990 | both |- | '''Webber International University''' | Babson Park, Florida | 1927 | Nonsectarian | 930 | Warriors | 1990 | both |}
;Notes: {{notelist|group=full}}
===Current affiliate members=== The Sun has nine affiliate members, all but one are private 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'''{{efn|group=aff|name=women|This institution is a women's college, therefore it does not compete in men's sports.}} | Gainesville, Georgia | 1878 | Nonsectarian | 2,420 | Golden Tigers | 2024 | beach volleyball | Appalachian (AAC) |- | '''Life University''' | Marietta, Georgia | 1974 | Nonsectarian | 2,711 | 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) |- | '''Loyola University New Orleans''' | New Orleans, Louisiana | 1904 | Catholic {{small|(Jesuit)}} | 4,351 | 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) |- | {{sort|Mobile|'''University of Mobile'''}} | Mobile, Alabama | 1961 | Southern Baptist | 1,911 | Rams | 2021 | beach volleyball | Southern States (SSAC) |- | {{sort|Spartanburg Methodist College|'''Spartanburg Methodist College'''}} | Spartanburg, South Carolina | 1911 | United Methodist | 1,029 | Pioneers | 2024 | beach volleyball | Appalachian (AAC) |- | '''Thomas University'''{{efn|group=aff|Thomas was a full member of The Sun from 2012–13 to 2022–23.}} | Thomasville, Georgia | 1950 | Nonsectarian | 1,583 | 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) |- | {{sort|Tennessee–Southern|'''University of Tennessee Southern'''}} | Pulaski, Tennessee | 1870 | Public{{efn|group=aff|name=UTenn|Part of the University of Tennessee System.}} | 978 | FireHawks | 2022{{sup|m.sw.}}<br>2022{{sup|w.sw.}} | men's swimming<br>women's swimming | Southern States (SSAC) |- | '''Truett McConnell University''' | Cleveland, Georgia | 1946 | Baptist | 2,714 | Bears | 2021 | beach volleyball | Appalachian (AAC) |- | '''William Carey University''' | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | 1892 | Southern Baptist | 5,448 | 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) |}
;Notes: {{notelist|group=aff}}
===Former members=== The Sun had nine former full members, most are private schools, one is public, 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'''<br>(Daytona Beach Campus) | Daytona Beach, Florida | 1926 | Nonsectarian | 12,268 | Eagles | 1990 | 2015 | colspan="2" | Sunshine State (SSC){{efn|group=former|name=D2|Currently an NCAA Division II athletic conference.}}<br>(2015–present) |- | '''Edward Waters College'''{{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 | 1866 | A.M.E. Church | 1,175 | Tigers | 2006 | 2010 | Gulf Coast (GCAC){{efn|group=former|Currently known as the HBCU Athletic Conference since fall 2024.}}<br>(2010–21) | Southern (SIAC){{efn|group=former|name=D2}}<br>(2021–present) |- | '''Flagler College''' | St. Augustine, Florida | 1968 | Nonsectarian | 2,441 | Saints | 1990 | 2006 | D-II Independent<br>(2006–09) | Peach Belt (PBC){{efn|group=former|name=D2}}<br>(2009–present) |- | '''Northwood University–Florida''' | West Palm Beach, Florida | 1984 | Nonsectarian | N/A | Seahawks | 1994 | 2015 | colspan="2" | N/A{{efn|group=former|Northwood–Florida was sold to Keiser University in 2015.}} |- | '''Johnson & Wales University–Florida''' | North Miami, Florida | 1992 | Nonsectarian | N/A | Wildcats | 2009 | 2020 | colspan="2" | Closed in 2021 |- | '''Nova Southeastern University''' | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | 1964 | Nonsectarian | 20,877 | Sharks | 1990 | 2002 | colspan="2" | Sunshine State (SSC){{efn|group=former|name=D2}}<br>(2002–present) |- | '''Palm Beach Atlantic University''' | West Palm Beach, Florida | 1968 | Nondenominational | 3,875 | Sailfish | 1990 | 2003 | D-II Independent<br>(2003–15) | Sunshine State (SSC){{efn|group=former|name=D2}}<br>(2015–present) |- | {{sort|South Carolina–Beaufort|'''University of South Carolina Beaufort'''}} | Beaufort, South Carolina | 1959 | Public | 2,121 | Sand Sharks | 2008 | 2022 | Continental<br>(2022–23) | Peach Belt (PBC){{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 until spring 2023.}} |- | '''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 | 1950 | Nonsectarian | 1,583 | Night Hawks | 2012 | 2023 | colspan="2" | Southern States (SSAC)<br>(2023–present) |}
;Notes: {{notelist|group=former}}
===Former affiliate members=== The Sun had three former affiliate members, all of them were private schools:
For the 2014 and 2015 football seasons, Edward Waters and Point joined the conference. All six members moved to the Mid-South Conference for the 2016 season. With the exception of Point, which participates in the Appalachian Division, these teams plus 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'''{{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 | 1866 | A.M.E. Church | 1,175 | Tigers | 2014 | 2017 | football | colspan="2" | Southern (SIAC){{efn|group=faff|name=D2|Currently an NCAA Division II athletic conference.}} |- | '''Point University''' | West Point, Georgia | 1937 | Christian | 2,827 | 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) | Appalachian (AAC) |- | {{sort|Saint Andrews|'''St. Andrews University'''}} | Laurinburg, North Carolina | 1958 | Presbyterian<br>{{small|(PCUSA)}} | N/A | 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|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 (1990–2015) bar:1 color:OtherC1 from:2015 till:end text:Sunshine State
bar:2 color:FullxF from:1990 till:2006 text:Flagler (1990–2006) bar:2 color:OtherC1 from:2006 till:2009 text:D-II Ind. bar:2 color:OtherC2 from:2009 till:end text:Peach Belt
bar:3 color:FullxF from:1990 till:2020 text:Florida Memorial (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 (1990–2002) bar:4 color:OtherC1 from:2002 till:end text:Sunshine State
bar:5 color:FullxF from:1990 till:2003 text:Palm Beach Atlantic (1990–2003) bar:5 color:OtherC1 from:2003 till:2015 text:D-II Ind. bar:5 color:OtherC2 from:2015 till:end text:Sunshine State
bar:6 color:FullxF from:1990 till:2019 text:St. Thomas (Fla.) (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 (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 (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.) (1994–2015)
bar:10 color:FullxF from:2004 till:end text:Savannah A&D (2004–present)
bar:11 color:FullxF from:2006 till:2010 text:Edward Waters (2006–2010) bar:11 shift:(45) color:OtherC1 from:2010 till:2014 text:HBCUAC bar:11 color:AssocF from:2014 till:2017 text:(2014–2016) bar:11 color:OtherC1 from:2017 till:2021 text:HBCUAC bar:11 color:OtherC2 from:2021 till:end text:SIAC
bar:12 color:FullxF from:2008 till:2022 text:South Carolina–Beaufort (2008–2022) bar:12 color:OtherC1 from:2022 till:end text:Peach Belt
bar:13 color:FullxF from:2009 till:2014 text:Ave Maria (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 (2009–2020)
bar:15 color:FullxF from:2009 till:2014 text:Southeastern (Fla.) (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 (2012–2023) bar:16 color:Full from:2022 till:2023 bar:16 shift:(-100) color:AssocF from:2023 till:end text:SSAC (2023–present; SUN football)
bar:17 color:AssocF from:2014 till:2017 text:Point (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 (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 (2017–present)
bar:20 color:AssocOS from:2021 till:end text:Mobile (2021–present)
bar:21 shift:(-50) color:AssocOS from:2021 till:2025 text:St. Andrews (N.C.) (2021–2025)
bar:22 shift:(-30) color:AssocOS from:2021 till:end text:Truett McConnell (2021–present)
bar:23 shift:(-20) color:AssocOS from:2021 till:end text:William Carey (2021–present)
bar:24 color:AssocOS from:2022 till:end text:Life (2022–present)
bar:25 shift:(-40) color:AssocOS from:2022 till:end text:Loyola (La.) (2022–present)
bar:26 shift:(-40) color:AssocOS from:2022 till:end text:UT Southern (2022–present)
bar:27 shift:(-120) color:FullxF from:2024 till:end text:New College (Fla.) (2024–present)
bar:28 shift:(-60) color:AssocOS from:2024 till:end text:Brenau (2024–present)
bar:29 shift:(-130) color:AssocOS from:2024 till:end text:Spartanburg Methodist (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}}| Full member (all sports) }} {{Font color||{{RGB|229|204|178}}| Full member (non-football) }} {{Font color||{{RGB|229|178|204}}| Associate member (football-only) }} <# </timeline>
{{Font color||{{RGB|178|229|204}}| Full member (all sports) }} {{Font color||{{RGB|229|204|178}}| Full member (non-football) }} {{Font color||{{RGB|229|178|204}}| Associate member (football-only) }}
==Sports==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Conference sports !Sport||Men's||Women's |- |{{left}}Baseball || {{Y}} || |- |{{left}}Basketball || {{Y}} || {{Y}} |- |{{left}}Beach Volleyball || || {{Y}} |- |{{left}}Cross Country || {{Y}} || {{Y}} |- |{{left}}Flag football || || {{Y}} |- |{{left}}Football || {{Y}} || |- |{{left}}Golf || {{Y}} || {{Y}} |- |{{left}}Soccer || {{Y}} || {{Y}} |- |{{left}}Softball || || {{Y}} |- |{{left}}Tennis || {{Y}} || {{Y}} |- |{{left}}Track & Field Outdoor || {{Y}} || {{Y}} |- |{{left}}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