The Southern Conference welcomes Tennessee Tech in 2026, marking the league's first new member since 2014.
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Tennessee Tech University will join the Southern Conference on July 1, 2026. This move ends a run in the Ohio Valley Conference that started in 1949 and marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Golden Eagles.
The Southern Conference's Council of Presidents voted to accept Tennessee Tech's membership. This is the first time the SoCon has added a new member since 2014, when they brought in East Tennessee State, Mercer, and VMI.
"This historic move changes the trajectory of our athletic aspirations and makes a statement to our campus and our community that Tech sports will be a part of a vibrant conference with new geographic rivalries," said Tennessee Tech Athletic Director Casey Fox.
Southern Conference Commissioner Michael Cross is excited about the addition. "Tennessee Tech's addition reaffirms that 'It's All Here' in the Southern Conference — the premier FCS athletics experience in the South," Cross said. "Tech strengthens our geographic footprint, reinforces our Southern identity, and enters at a time of tremendous regional growth."
Tennessee Tech President Dr. Phil Oldham says the move makes sense. "Geographically, the states with SoCon teams fit the footprint of our students and alumni, so our move makes sense in those terms," Oldham said. "Beyond that, our students and fans will have a chance to be a part of new rivalries and new traditions that can create lifetime memories."
The school fits academically too. Tennessee Tech is a Carnegie R2 research university that focuses on preparing students for successful careers. This matches the Southern Conference's focus on helping student-athletes succeed both in sports and in school.
Tennessee Tech brings excellent sports programs to the Southern Conference. The Golden Eagles compete in 14 sports that the SoCon sponsors. Beach volleyball is the only sport they play that isn't a conference sport.
The Golden Eagles enter this move from a strong position. They are picked to win the Ohio Valley Conference-Big South title this year after going 7-5 overall and 6-2 in conference play last season. Tennessee Tech is ranked No. 22 in the FCS Top 25.
Since 2000, Tennessee Tech has won 27 conference team championships. Their women's basketball team won the OVC tournament in 2025 and made the NCAA Tournament — their 15th trip since 1982. Overall, the Golden Eagles have won 85 conference titles and had 69 teams make NCAA postseason play since joining the OVC.
The school also does well in academics. Tennessee Tech has an 88% graduation rate and strong academic scores. "Tech proves that winning and academic achievement go hand-in-hand — the Southern Conference standard," Cross said.
With Tennessee Tech joining, the Southern Conference will have 11 teams. The Golden Eagles will compete alongside East Tennessee State, Chattanooga, The Citadel, Furman, Mercer, North Carolina-Greensboro, Samford, Virginia Military Institute, Western Carolina, and Wofford.
Ohio Valley Conference Commissioner Beth DeBauche says her league will keep moving forward. "Our collective institutions and athletic programs remain committed to the conference, to one another and to our football association, and we will continue to aggressively pursue additional membership," she said. The OVC has dealt with changes in college athletics for 80 years and will keep adapting after Tennessee Tech leaves.
Tennessee Tech has impressive sports facilities. Tucker Stadium seats 16,500 people and was home to the 2024 OVC-Big South Champion football team. The Hooper Eblen Center seats 9,852 and hosts basketball and volleyball games.
The university in Cookeville had 10,511 total students in fall 2024, with 9,187 undergraduates. Students can choose from programs in 10 colleges and schools. The most popular majors are mechanical engineering, computer science, nursing, biology, and business management.
College athletics keeps changing, and Tennessee Tech's move to the SoCon puts them in a good spot for the future. Commissioner Cross says Tech's leaders share the SoCon's forward-thinking vision. The school keeps investing in facilities to show they want to succeed in the changing world of college sports.
Western Carolina Chancellor Dr. Kelli Brown, Chair of the Council of Southern Conference Presidents, welcomed the addition:
"Tennessee Tech University's addition to the Southern Conference strengthens our collective commitment to excellence both in the classroom and competitively. As fellow institutions dedicated to developing well-rounded student-athletes, we welcome the Golden Eagles to a conference that has always prioritized academic achievement alongside athletic success. Tech's impressive track record and shared values make them a natural fit for the SoCon, and we look forward to the rivalries and collaborative opportunities this partnership will create"
The Golden Eagles will start competing in the SoCon for the 2026-27 school year. They bring championship-level programs and a commitment to academic success to a conference that promises the best FCS athletics experience in the South. With new rivalries coming and a shared vision for success, Tennessee Tech's move looks like a win for everyone involved.
