Peach Belt Conference History

Since its inception in 1991, the Peach Belt Conference has worked tirelessly to become one of the elite conferences in NCAA Division II. Now entering its 17th season with 24 national championships and 24 national finalists, the PBC has accomplished that goal.

Starting with only two championships in 1991, in men’s and women’s basketball, the conference has expanded to 12 championship sports with the addition of women’s soccer in the fall of 2000.

The conference traces its roots back to November of 1988 when 11 schools first met in Greenville, S.C. to form a Division II conference. Following a second meeting on Dec. 3, 1989, five of those 11 schools, plus two others, formed the Peach Belt and begin play in 1991.

The Peach Belt was less than a year old before capturing a national championship. The Columbus State golf team took the honor by winning the 1992 national crown, the first of three golf championships the Cougars own.

The 2006-07 season continued the tradition of excellence the conference has established. The Columbus State baseball team reached the national championship game and USC Upstate finished just one stroke out of the lead in the golf national championships.

The seven charter members of the conference were Armstrong Atlantic State University, Columbus State University, Francis Marion University, Georgia College & State University, Lander University, USC Aiken and USC Upstate. The name Peach Belt Athletic Conference was adopted in January of 1990 and modified to Peach Belt Conference in May of 2000.

Augusta State joined the conference in 1991 and UNC Pembroke became the ninth member on July 1, 1992. They were followed by Kennesaw State University on July 1, 1994, Clayton State University on July 1, 1995 and the University of North Florida on July 1, 1997. Kennesaw State and North Florida departed for the Division I ranks in 2005, USC Upstate did the same in 2007, and the conference welcomed in North Georgia College & State University in 2005 and Georgia Southwestern State University in 2006.

David Brunk was named the second PBC commissioner in May of 2007. Brunk replaced Marvin Vanover, who was the first PBC commissioner from 1991 to 2007. Brunk is charged with continuing the strong growth of the conference as its second era begins.

Dr. Dorothy Leland, president of Georgia College & State University, is the president of the Peach Belt in 2007-08.

The conference currently holds championships in 12 sports, six for men and six for women. They are men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s tennis, baseball, softball and men’s golf.