CANTON, Ga. - The Southern Athletic Association (SAA) is proud to announce the official addition of Maryville College as a full member of the conference, effective July 1, 2026.
Today marks the beginning of a new chapter as Maryville College officially joins the Southern Athletic Association as a full member institution. While this is the start of the Scots' full membership, Maryville is already a familiar and respected presence within the league.
During the 2025-26 academic year, Maryville competed as an affiliate member in football, men's and women's indoor track & field, and women's golf. Their transition to full membership represents a natural and exciting evolution of an already strong relationship with the conference.
Maryville College President, Bryan Coker says, ""We are honored and excited to join the ranks of the SAA institutions, many of which are our historic rivals and all of which prioritize superior academics and the student athlete experience. We're thankful for the SAA supporting us throughout this transition as we leave the Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS), for which we served as a founding member, with wonderful memories and tremendous gratitude. This Fall season will mark the beginning of a remarkable new era for our Scots athletic programs."
Beginning today, the Scots will compete in 16 varsity sports as members of the SAA, further strengthening the conference's commitment to providing an outstanding Division III experience for student-athletes.
"On behalf of the Southern Athletic Association, we are thrilled to officially welcome Maryville College as a full member of the SAA," said Commissioner Stacey LaDew. "Throughout the transition process, we have enjoyed watching the Scots compete and engage with our institutions, but today marks a truly special milestone as we fully welcome Maryville into the SAA family. Maryville brings a strong tradition of excellence, a commitment to the holistic student-athlete experience, and a community that aligns closely with the values that define our conference. We are confident the Scots will continue to exemplify the SAA's pillars of Academic Excellence, Athletic Excellence, Exceptional Culture, and Co-Curricular Learning. This is a celebratory day for Maryville, for the SAA, and most importantly for the Scots student-athletes who will now compete as full members of a conference dedicated to their success both on and off the field."
The addition of Maryville brings the SAA's full membership to nine institutions, positioning the conference for a stable and competitive future across its sponsored sports. Maryville aligns seamlessly with the SAA's mission of fostering athletic excellence, academic achievement, co-curricular learning, and an exceptional student-athlete experience. As the Scots officially join the conference, the SAA looks forward to the success and contributions they will bring both in competition and throughout the broader campus community.
