CONFERENCE CAROLINAS RELEASE

GREENVILLE, S.C. – The University of Montevallo athletic department will be an associate member of the Conference Carolinas for men's wrestling, beginning in 2023-24 as announced by the league and UM Athletic Director, Mark Richard, Tuesday.
 
On Tuesday, Conference Carolinas announced it would become the sole sponsor of men's wrestling in 2023-34 after co-sponsoring the sport with the South Atlantic Conference for the past five seasons.
 
With the addition by the league, five South Atlantic members join as associate members while three other schools, including the Falcons, join as associates to bring the conference to 14 teams.
 
"We are truly excited that the sport has been built up so quickly over the last few years to allow us this opportunity, while also giving us the chance to welcome new associate members to continue building the sport throughout the region," said Commissioner Chris Colvin
 
In 2023-24, the league will consist of two divisions. The East Division features Allen, Belmont Abbey, Coker, Limestone, Mount Olive, Newberry and UNC Pembroke while the West Division consists of Bluefield State, Emmanuel, Emory & Henry, King, Lander, Lincoln Memorial and Montevallo.
 
At the end of the regular season, the top two teams from each division will compete in the inaugural Conference Carolinas Men's Wrestling Championships in Feb. of 2024.
 
The 2023-24 academic year will mark the inaugural season of wrestling at Montevallo as the sport was added in the summer of 2022.

"Thank you to Commissioner Colvin and his staff for making this possible," said Richard. "We are beyond excited to begin our first season in 2023-24 and are happy to have a home in Conference Carolinas."

Montevallo is now part of four conferences across its 22 NCAA Division II Intercollegiate Athletic programs. The Falcons are full members of the Gulf South Conference, an associate member of the Peach Belt Conference for Men's Lacrosse, a member of the New South Intercollegiate Swim Conference and now an associate member of Conference Carolinas for men's wrestling. 
 
About Conference Carolinas
 
Conference Carolinas is a sole sponsor of 23 sports and collaborates with two other conferences to offer opportunities in four additional sports for a total of 27. The conference will be the sole sponsor of 24 sports (28 total including collaborations with other conferences) beginning in 2023-24. That number will advance to 25 sports (29 total including collaborations with other conferences) with the addition of football in the 2025-26 academic year.

The ability to provide its membership sports sponsorship in 29 sports is the most in all of NCAA Division II. In addition, Conference Carolinas also provides championship opportunities for its member institutions in esports and spirit (cheerleading and dance).

This is all in addition to holding Developmental Championships for its member institutions. A Developmental Championship will be held in men's and women's soccer, men's basketball and baseball in the 2022-23 academic year. Conference Carolinas is believed to be the first NCAA conference to offer sub-varsity championships to its members. 

Please visit ConferenceCarolinas.com to learn more about Conference Carolinas.