ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Flagler College Athletics announced today that the College will join the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) as a full member beginning with the 2027-28 academic year.

The move marks a significant new chapter for the Saints, aligning Flagler with one of NCAA Division II's premier conferences and strengthening the College's presence across the state of Florida.

"We are indeed grateful to the Sunshine State Conference, President Dr. James Annarelli, and Commissioner Chris Graham for extending this opportunity to us. It is an honor to be joining such a strong and prestigious conference and to be affiliated with all the fine SSC member institutions." said Flagler's Director of Athletics Jud Damon.

The addition of Flagler was met with strong support from conference leadership throughout the membership review and approval process, reflecting the College's growing reputation for excellence in both academics and athletics.

"There was unanimous and enthusiastic support on the SSC Presidents Council to approve Flagler's application for conference membership, and my Council colleagues and I are excited to welcome Flagler to the SSC family," said Dr. James Annarelli, President of Eckerd College and current President of the SSC Presidents Council. "The addition of Flagler--a private, Florida institution with strong traditions of athletic success and academic achievement--to the "Conference of National Champions" is a natural development in the evolution of both Flagler College and the Sunshine State Conference."

Membership in the SSC creates a strong strategic fit for Flagler academically, athletically, and geographically. The move places the Saints alongside fellow Florida private institutions, strengthens recruiting visibility among prospective student-athletes considering colleges in the state, and enhances the College's presence in every major Florida media market.

"This is a strategic moment in the continued evolution of Flagler College. As our institution grows in academic reputation, student opportunity, and statewide impact, the time is right to align with a conference that reflects those same standards of excellence. Joining the Sunshine State Conference places Flagler among distinguished peer institutions and positions our student-athletes to compete at the highest level while advancing the values of scholarship, leadership, and service that define this College." said Flagler College President John Delaney.

Conference officials also emphasized the immediate competitive and scheduling benefits that Flagler's arrival will bring, while further strengthening an already elite league profile.

"Flagler's sport sponsorship corresponds very well with our championship offerings, and moving to 12 member institutions aids all institutions with balanced scheduling while filling contest needs," noted SSC Commissioner Chris Graham. "The Saints field competitive, nationally recognized athletic and academic programs, and will add even greater depth to the strongest conference lineup in NCAA Division II."

The move also reinforces the College's Florida identity and aligns the Saints with respected peer institutions such as University of Tampa, Rollins College, Eckerd College, Florida Southern College, Barry University, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Regional matchups, including Flagler's rivalry with Embry-Riddle, are expected to enhance school spirit and community engagement.

Flagler will join the SSC after 17 years as a proud member of the Peach Belt Conference, having officially entered the league on July 1, 2009. Since then, the Saints have enjoyed sustained success competitively, academically, and in sportsmanship.

Flagler captured three Peach Belt Conference Commissioner's Cups, including three of the last six awarded, earned the PBC Institution of the Year Sportsmanship Award eight times, and received 39 Peach Belt Conference Team Sportsmanship Awards.

The Saints also won 69 conference championships, made 111 NCAA Division II Tournament appearances, and claimed seven NCAA Division II Regional Championships.

Academically, Flagler was honored 11 times with the NCAA President's Award for Academic Excellence during its time in the Peach Belt Conference.

The College also played a leadership role within the conference, with President Delaney serving as vice chair of the Peach Belt Conference Presidents Council since 2022, while Damon previously served two terms as chair of the Peach Belt Conference athletics directors group.

Flagler extends sincere gratitude to Diana Kling and former commissioner David Brunk, as well as the member institutions of the Peach Belt Conference, for nearly two decades of partnership, competition, and shared success.

More information regarding schedules, championship competition, and the transition to Sunshine State Conference membership will be announced at a later date.

About Flagler College
Flagler College is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution located in the heart of St. Augustine, Florida-the nation's oldest city. With 44 majors, 47 minors, and two master's degree programs, Flagler offers students a dynamic and personalized academic experience shaped by small class sizes and world-class faculty who are dedicated to teaching, connecting, and supporting students.

Home to approximately 2,200 students, Flagler fosters a close-knit community where curiosity is encouraged, leadership is cultivated, and purpose is pursued. The College is consistently ranked among the top regional institutions by U.S. News & World Report and is nationally recognized for its distinctive historic campus, which has earned recognition as one of the "10 Most Beautiful Universities in the World" and one of the "12 Most Beautiful College Campuses Around the World."

At Flagler, students are inspired to think boldly, turn ideas into reality, and make history. For more information about Flagler College, visit www.flagler.edu.

About Flagler College Athletics
A 10-time winner of the President's Academic Award for Academic Excellence, Flagler College sponsors 19 varsity intercollegiate athletics programs at the NCAA Division II level. Flagler are three-time winners of the Peach Belt Conference Commissioner's Cup and eight-time winners of the PBC Institution of the Year Sportsmanship Award.

Central to its mission of operating a character-based athletics program that maintains nationally competitive teams in all sports and adheres to the Core Covenants of accountability, integrity, professionalism, sportsmanship, and teamwork, Flagler athletics' programs have earned 38 PBC Team Sportsmanship Awards, captured 64 conference championships, made 106 appearances in NCAA Division II national tournaments, and won seven NCAA Division II regional championships. For more information about Flagler College Athletics, visit www.flaglerathletics.com.

About the Sunshine State Conference
Founded in 1975, the Sunshine State Conference has risen from a single sports organization to the Division II "Conference of National Champions." Since its inception, the conference has shown steady growth in sports played, membership, and national prominence. In 42 years, member institutions have won a total of 102 NCAA national championships across 12 sports. During the 2016-17 academic year, SSC schools won three national titles and achieved a NCAA Division II best 86% Academic Success Rate. The SSC consists of 11 member institutions, all within the state of Florida: Barry University (Miami Shores), Eckerd College (St. Petersburg), Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Daytona Beach), Florida Institute of Technology (Melbourne), Florida Southern College (Lakeland), Lynn University (Boca Raton), Nova Southeastern University (Ft. Lauderdale), Palm Beach Atlantic University (West Palm Beach), Rollins College (Winter Park), Saint Leo University (Saint Leo), and the University of Tampa.