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The Golden Eagles will match up against in-state rivals ETSU and Chattanooga, while meeting up with some conference members for the first time. Fourteen of 15 Tech sports (beach volleyball is not a conference sport) will compete in the SoCon.

“This historic move changes the trajectory of our athletic aspirations and makes a statement to our campus and our community that Tech sports will be a part of a vibrant conference with new geographic rivalries,� said Tech director of athletics Casey Fox. “Our student-athletes and coaches will benefit from the reputation and competition the SoCon offers.�

“Tennessee Tech Athletics brings championship-caliber strength to the SoCon,� added Southern Conference commissioner Michael Cross. “Their recent success speaks for itself — a 2024 football championship and a preseason Top 25 ranking this year, a women’s basketball program ranked 22nd all-time in Division I wins and consistent NCAA Tournament appearances across multiple sports. With an 88% graduation success rate and strong APR scores, Tech proves that winning and academic achievement go hand-in-hand — the Southern Conference standard.�

The SoCon, an original super conference which was formed in 1921, is the fifth-oldest NCAA Division I Collegiate athletic conference in the nation, sponsoring 20 varsity sports

Over its 105-year history, the conference has produced 20 Rhodes Scholars.

The SoCon boasts a track record in the Football Championship Subdivision conference, with former member Appalachian State University winning three consecutive titles. Basketball fans can look forward to its conference tournament in Asheville, N.C.

The original 13 Southeastern Conference (SEC) members were first members of the SoCon two decades before another group of schools left the league in 1953 and formed the Atlantic Coast Conference. It was the first conference to install the 3-point line in basketball and to develop women’s championships. Famous professional athletes from the conference include Stephen Curry, Brad Faxon and Dexter Coakley.

“Geographically, the states with SoCon teams fit the footprint of our students and alumni, so our move makes sense in those terms,� said Tech president Phil Oldham. “Beyond that, our students and fans will have a chance to be a part of new rivalries and traditions that can create lifetime memories.�

Student-athletes and fans can now look forward to traveling to cities in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia for competition. These states produce the majority of Tech students are home to tens of thousands of alumni.

“At the same time, I want to express our gratitude to the Ohio Valley Conference and acknowledge how its history and ours have benefitted student-athletes and fans for decades. Our years in the OVC will remain part of the fabric of our rich athletic history,� Oldham said.

Tech joined the Ohio Valley Conference in 1949. The Golden Eagles share second place for OVC football championships with 11. Also in the OVC, the women’s basketball team racked up 19 regular-season championships while the men’s rifle team won three NCAA national championships. Tech’s long-standing relationship with the OVC produced signature rivalries, two of which will be renewed with Samford and ETSU.

Tech will participate as an OVC member in all scheduled events as announced for the 2025-26 season.

“College athletics is experiencing unprecedented change, and Tennessee Tech is committed to navigating those changes by putting our student-athletes and coaches in the best position to win and become successful leaders,� Oldham said. “Joining the SoCon shows that conference leaders recognized this commitment and the history of excellence here at Tech. We are honored to join the Southern Conference and compete for championships.�