Thomas Announced as New Sun Conference Member
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Sun Conference has announced that Thomas (Ga.) has been approved for league membership. Located in Thomasville, Ga., Thomas will begin conference competition in 2012-13. The addition of Thomas will bring the number of schools in The Sun Conference to 12.
"On behalf of the 11 members of The Sun Conference, we are thrilled to welcome Thomas University to our conference,” incoming Sun Conference Commissioner Mark Pope stated. “This addition will allow us to develop a divisional format in several of our sponsored sports that should help to decrease travel costs and missed class time.
“I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the significant efforts by [former TSC Commissioner] Rob Miller in achieving this accomplishment. I appreciate all of Rob's hard work to find a great institution for us."
"Thomas University is proud to enter the Sun Conference,” Thomas President Dr. Gary Bonvillan said. “Our competitive teams have earned their place among some of the top contenders in NAIA. Transition from independent status to conference membership will also position Thomas for a much more favorable schedule of play for many years to come. Our student athletes and fans will benefit a great deal from this move."
Thomas was founded in 1950 and has an enrollment of 1,030. Thomas first began intercollegiate athletic competition in 1994 and has competed as an independent school in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for the last 16 years. The Night Hawks will field a team in six of the league’s 15 sports, including baseball softball, men’s and women’s golf and men’s and women’s soccer. Thomas will add men’s and women’s swimming and men’s and women’s cross country in the fall of 2012 and have plans to add men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball sometime thereafter.
As an independent, the Night Hawks have made one national tournament appearance each in women’s soccer (2003) and women’s golf (2010) and finished as the women’s golf Association of Independent Institutions champion in the spring of 2010 and was the AII runner-up in the fall of that same year.
The softball program has also enjoyed a great deal of success. The Lady Night Hawks, who have made four national tournament appearances (2003, 2004, 2005, 2007), capped off their 2004 campaign by winning the NAIA National Championship.
"We are excited about the prospect of joining the Sun conference,” Thomas Athletic Director Mike Lee commented. “As we searched for a Conference affiliation the Sun Conference seemed like the right fit for the future of our Athletic Department. It is a great conference with an outstanding reputation both on and off the field, we look forward to competing against the strong field of competitors that the conference has to offer."
Originally formed in March 1990 as the Florida Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (FIAC), The Sun Conference was established as a conference for small independent institutions within the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Heading into its 22nd season of competition, The Sun Conference continues to be one of the most successful intercollegiate athletic conferences in the NAIA. The league sponsors championships in baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s track and field, and field and women’s volleyball.
All-Time Membership
Ave Maria 2009-present
Edward Waters 2006-2010
Embry-Riddle 1990-present
Flagler 1990-2006
Florida Memorial 1990-present
Johnson & Wales 2009-present
Nova Southeastern 1990-2002
Northwood 1994-present
Palm Beach Atlantic 1990-2003
South Carolina Beaufort 2009-present
Southeastern 2009-present
SCAD Savannah 2004-present
St. Thomas 1990-present
Webber International 1990-present
Warner 1990-present