GREENVILLE, S.C. – Conference Carolinas announced today the addition of
Shaw University as an associate member in men's soccer starting with the 2027-28 academic year.
"We are thrilled to welcome Shaw as an associate member in men's soccer," commissioner Chris Colvin said. "Shaw regularly competes against Conference Carolinas institutions in men's soccer and this addition provides balance for the conference in scheduling. We look forward to the addition in the fall of 2027."
Shaw joins the league as an associate member in men's soccer only for the upcoming year, bringing the total number of teams to 16. The Bears will be the sixth program in the Conference Carolinas East Division, while the northwest and southwest will each have five institutions.
"We are excited for this opportunity for our men's soccer program to be admitted as an associate member of Conference Carolinas," said interim athletic director
Dr. Randy McClure. "Conference Carolinas has an outstanding reputation, and we look forward to competing at a high level against quality programs both locally and across the region. This move positions our student-athletes for continued growth and success on and off the field."
About Conference Carolinas
Conference Carolinas has a rich tradition in roots that dates back to its inception on Dec. 6, 1930. The NCAA Division II athletics conference presently has member schools located in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Member institutions for the 2025-26 academic year are Barton, Belmont Abbey, Chowan, Converse, Emmanuel, Erskine, Ferrum, Francis Marion, King, Lees-McRae, Mount Olive, UNC Pembroke, North Greenville, Shorter, Southern Wesleyan and Young Harris.
Conference Carolinas is a sole sponsor of 27 sports and also collaborates with two other conferences (South Atlantic Conference and Great Midwest Athletic Conference) to offer opportunities in four additional sports for a total of 31 in the 2026-27 academic year. The ability to provide its membership sports sponsorship in 31 sports is the most in all of NCAA Division II. In addition, Conference Carolinas also provides championship opportunities for its member institutions in spirit and in developmental sports.
Conference Carolinas believes in the development and formation of the whole person in body, mind and soul. Our students are nationally recognized for their extraordinary success in the classroom, in the community and at the highest levels of NCAA competition.
Conference Carolinas is built upon the idea of offering challenging NCAA competition in an environment that fosters both the academic and athletic achievements of its student-athletes. Conference members offer exemplary educations and scholarships for performance in the classroom and on the field. Conference Carolinas and its members are committed to challenging adversity and building tomorrow's leaders.
