Tennessee Tech officially joined the Southern Conference Wednesday, following 75 years inside the OVC.
President Dr. Phil Oldham said the university chose the SoCon to re-establish athletic connections with in-state peers like East Tennessee State University and Chattanooga.
“You are who you play,” Oldham said. “There’s a lot of truth to that. You, who you associate with, who you compete with and against, says a lot about you and how you go about that says a lot about your character.”
Director of Athletics Casey Fox said the transition process lasted a year and involved close collaboration with both the outgoing and incoming conference leadership. Fox said the university is prepared to face the increased level of competition while pursuing conference championships and berths in NCAA tournaments.
“This move represents a new beginning for Tennessee Tech athletics and for our university, a return to our Southern roots and an opportunity to compete at the highest level within the Southern Conference,” Fox said. “We understand the challenges ahead, and we embrace them with confidence and enthusiasm.”
Southern Conference Senior Associate Commissioner Jeff Kape said Tennessee Tech becomes the 11th member of the league, which is the fifth oldest collegiate athletic conference in the nation. Kape said the conference presidents had not discussed expansion for nearly 15 years until Tennessee Tech expressed interest in joining.
“For more than a century, 105 years to be exact, the Southern Conference has stood for excellence, not only in athletics but in academics, leadership, integrity, and developing young people who are prepared to make a difference long after the final whistle,” Kape said. “Our member institutions are among the finest in the country, united by commitment to providing an outstanding educational experience while competing at the highest level.”
Oldham said the invitation to join the league was based heavily on the university’s academic performance and shared values with other member institutions. Oldham said the association with the SoCon will elevate the university’s character and reputation through competition with like-minded schools.
Officials said the geographic footprint of the new conference is a better fit for student-athletes and will allow thousands of alumni in regional cities to attend games.
“The SoCon is a perfect fit for Tennessee Tech and Tennessee Tech is a perfect fit for the SoCon,” the official said. “There’s just tremendous alignment both athletically and academically in who we are, and the geographic footprint just makes sense for our student-athletes and our university.”
The university unveiled a new Southern Conference logo during the ceremony to commemorate the official first day of membership.