WISE - - A new era begins for the athletic department at UVa-Wise today. The Cavaliers have officially joined the South Athletic Conference for all sports, becoming a full member. The institution announced it was joining the conference at a press conference on April 13, 2018 when the school announced it had received and accepted an invitation from the SAC President's Council.
The addition of UVa-Wise increases league membership to 12 institutions and marks the first expansion since 2013 when Coker College and Queens University of Charlotte joined the SAC.
"We are excited to join the South Atlantic Conference," said UVa-Wise Chancellor Donna P. Henry. "Our College has a traditional rivalry with many schools in the SAC. We look forward to renewing those rivalries and to building new ones with the rest."
UVa-Wise's first ever football game was against Tusculum University, a member of the SAC. The College has competed against several members of the league in non-conference competition across all 13 sports offered by the school.
"It has been a pleasure meeting and connecting with members of the SAC over the past few months," said UVa-Wise Director of Athletics Kendall Rainey. Â "We appreciate their welcoming UVa-Wise and we are excited to officially represent the South Atlantic Conference. We look forward to growing the relationships and rivalries."
A public liberal arts institution, UVa-Wise offers 31 majors, 36 minors and 17 teaching licensures. The athletic department became a full NCAA Division II member in 2015 and offers 13 intercollegiate sports.
