Athletic schools in the United States compete in various sports programs and conferences.
This article will be about the Appalachian Athletic Conference, one of the top college athletic conferences that are also affiliated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
What is the Appalachian Athletic Conference?
A college athletic conference is a collection of different sports teams which competes against each other in the league.
The Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) is, therefore, a collection of different athletic school sports teams in the Southeastern United States.
It is the largest conference in the NAIA, with members schools from:
- Tennessee
- Kentucky
- Georgia
- South Carolina
- North Carolina, and
- Virginia.
History
In 1940, the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) became the successor to the Volunteer State Athletic Conference (VSAC) and was later transformed into the Tennessee-Virginia Athletic Conference (TVAC) which was operational during the 1980s and 1990s.
It was later in 2001, after the inclusion of member schools from Virginia, Kentucky, and North Carolina, that the Appalachian Athletic Conference was formed.
More schools have been after that time, some were added as full members while some are affiliates.
The AAC currently has a total of 16 full members and ten affiliated private schools in the states of Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
What are the Appalachian Athletic Conference Full Member Schools?
The table below shows in no particular order the sixteen AAC full-member schools and other key details.
| Best AAC Full Member Schools | Teams | Location | Founded |
| Bluefield University | Rams | Bluefield, Virginia | 1922 |
| Brenau University | Golden Tigers | Gainesville, Georgia | 1878 |
| Bryan College | Bryan Lions | Dayton, Tennessee | 1930 |
| Kentucky Christian University | Knights | Grayson, Kentucky | 1919 |
| Columbia College | Koalas | Columbia, South Carolina | 1852 |
| Columbia International University | Rams | Columbia, South Carolina | 1923 |
| Tennessee Wesleyan University | Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs | Athens, TN. | 1957 |
| Milligan University | Buffaloes | Elizabethton, Tennessee | 1866 |
| Montreat College | Cavaliers | Montreat, North Carolina. | 1916 |
| Johnson University | Johnson Royals | Kimberlin Heights & Knoxville, TN. | 1893 |
| Point University | Skyhawks | West Point, Georgia | 1937 |
| Reinhardt University | Eagles | Waleska, Georgia | 1883 |
| St. Andrews University | Knights | Laurinburg, North Carolina | 1958 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design at Atlanta | Bees | Atlanta, Georgia | 2005 |
| Union College | Bulldogs | Barbourville, Kentucky | 1879 |
| Truett McConnell | University Bears | Cleveland, Georgia | 1946 |
What are the Appalachian Athletic Conference Affiliate Member Schools?
The table below shows in no particular order the ten AAC affiliate member schools and other key details.
| Best AAC Affiliate Member Schools | Teams | Location | Predominant Conference |
| Brewton-Parker College | Barons | Mount Vernon, Georgia | Southern States (SSAC) |
| Kaiser University | Seahawks | West Palm Beach, Florida | The Sun |
| Life university | Running Eagles | Marietta, Georgia | Southern States (SSAC) |
| Savannah College of Art and Design at Savannah | Bees | Savannah, Georgia | The Sun |
| Southeastern University | Fire | Lakeland, Florida | The Sun |
| University of the Cumberlands | Patriots | Williamsburg, Kentucky | Mid-South (MSC) |
| Warner University | Royals | Lake Wales, Florida | The Sun |
| Webber International University | Warriors | Babson Park, Florida | The Sun |
| West Virginia University Institue of Technology | Golden Bears | Beckley, West Virginia | River States (RSC) |
| St. Thomas University | Bobcats | Miami Gardens, Florida | The Sun |
Championship Sports Programs
The Appalachian Athletic Conference sponsors 22 championship sports for both men and women, they include;
- Baseball (M)
- Basketball (M & W)
- Cross Country (M & W)
- Golf (M & W)
- Lacrosse (M & W)
- Soccer (M & W)
- Softball (W)
- Tennis (M & W)
- Track & Field Outdoor (M & W)
- Track & Field Indoor(M & W)
- Volleyball
- Wrestling
Baseball Teams
- Bluefield Rams
- Bryan Lions
- Milligan Buffaloes
- Montreat Cavaliers
- Reinhardt Eagles
- Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs
- Union (KY) Bulldogs
- Virginia Intermont Cobras
Basketball Teams
- Bluefield
- Brevard
- Bryan
- Covenant
- King
- Milligan
- Montreat
- Tennessee Wesleyan
- Union (KY)
- Virginia – Wise
- Virginia Intermont
Volleyball Teams
- Bluefield
- Brenau
- Bryan
- Reinhart
- Columbia International University
- Point
- St. Andrews
- Truett McConnell
- Johnson
- Milligan
- Montreat
- Tennessee Wesleyan
- Columbia (SC)
Soccer Teams
- Bluefield
- Union
- Bryan
- Reinhart
- Columbia International University
- Point
- St. Andrews
- Truett McConnell
- Johnson
- Milligan
- Montreat
- Kentucky Christian
- Tennessee Wesleyan
- Columbia (SC).
External Link
Conclusion
The AAC is a great conference for student-athletes who want to compete at a high level while also getting a quality education.
The conference has a rich history, and it continues to be one of the most competitive and well-respected conferences in the country.
If you’re looking for an athletic conference that can provide you with an excellent education and plenty of competition, the AAC is definitely worth considering.
