ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) continues its growth with the addition of a new full-time member in Allen University effective for the 2016-17 season.
Located in Columbia, S.C., Allen becomes the 13th full member of the AAC. Already a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), Allen has been competing as an independent in the Association of Independent Institutions (AII).
“The AAC is very pleased to welcome Allen University to the Conference as a full member effective 2016-2017,” said AAC Commissioner John Sullivan. “Allen has competed as a member of the Association of Independent Institutions for several years. They currently compete against several of our member institutions, and we recognize their commitment to character-driven collegiate athletics.”
Allen University currently sponsors eight intercollegiate programs. In the AAC, Allen will compete in men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s track & field, and women’s volleyball. Allen also sponsors men’s wrestling.
“We are pleased and excited about joining the great Appalachian Athletic Conference,” said Allen Athletic Director Chad Washington. “We would like to thank Commissioner John Sullivan and his staff for extending the opportunity to join the AAC. We look forward to being competitive and competing for championships next season in the Appalachian Athletic Conference.”
Currently, the Conference has full members in six southeastern states. The other full members included: Bluefield College (Va.), Bryan College (Tenn.), Columbia College (S.C.), Milligan College (Tenn.), Montreat College (N.C.), Point University (Ga.), Reinhardt University (Ga.), SCAD Atlanta (Ga.), St. Andrews University (N.C.), Tennessee Wesleyan College, Truett-McConnell College (Ga.) and Union College (Ky.). Asbury University (Ky.) and The University of the Comberlands (ky.) are affiliate members in men’s and women’s lacrosse.
