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Carolina University to Join AAC as Full Member in 2027-28

Carolina University to join the AAC in 2027-28
June 30, 2026

WALESKA, Ga. – The Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) is proud to welcome Carolina University (N.C.) as a full member effective for the 2027-28 season.

The AAC Council of Presidents voted to approve Carolina for full membership at its annual meeting on June 5.

"We are thrilled to have Carolina University join the AAC," said Commissioner Bill Popp. "They fit neatly in our footprint and will add another competitive institution to the great group of AAC institutions."

Carolina was approved for NAIA membership in the spring of 2024 and has been competing in the Continental Athletic Conference (CAC) for the past two years. The Bruins will compete in the CAC for the 2026-27 season before making the move to the AAC.

"Joining the Appalachian Athletic Conference is an exciting milestone for Carolina University and a significant step forward in the continued growth of our athletics program," said Dr. Heather Burkard, president of Carolina. "The AAC provides an outstanding competitive environment among respected regional institutions, creating new opportunities for our student-athletes to excel while enhancing recruiting efforts and reducing travel demands. We are grateful for the opportunity to become part of this distinguished conference and look forward to building strong relationships, competing at a high level, and advancing our mission of developing student-athletes who lead with excellence, character, and purpose. Go Bruins!"

Carolina is no stranger to the AAC as it already competes as an affiliate member in men's volleyball. The Bruins sponsor 15 varsity sports with 14 to compete in the AAC. Carolina will compete in the following AAC championship sports: baseball, men's basketball, women's basketball, men's cross country, women's cross country, men's soccer, women's soccer, softball, men's indoor track & field, women's indoor track & field, men's outdoor track & field, women's outdoor track & field, men's volleyball, and women's volleyball. Carolina also competes in esports.

"We are incredibly excited and grateful to join the Appalachian Athletic Conference. This opportunity represents a significant step for our institution and our student-athletes, providing an opportunity to compete at a high level while continuing to grow in our commitment to excellence," said Chelsea Jones, Carolina Athletic Director. "We are thankful for the confidence placed in us by conference leadership and look forward to building meaningful relationships and pursuing championships with purpose alongside such outstanding member institutions."

Located in Winston-Salem, N.C., Carolina joins Montreat as the only members of the AAC from the Tar Heel State.

Here are more facts about Carolina:

The AAC evolved from the Volunteer State Athletic Conference (VSAC), an NAIA conference organized in the 1940s and dissolved in the early 1980s when institutions in the eastern part of the state seceded to form the Tennessee Virginia Athletic Conference (TVAC). The Conference name changed to the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) in 2001 with the addition of Bluefield College, Montreat College, Alice Lloyd College, and Union College (now Union Commonwealth University).

Today, the AAC is one of the largest conferences in the NAIA with 14 full members in six southeastern states – Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The conference will have 13 affiliate members for the 2026-27 season, spreading the league's footprint to three additional states – Florida, Ohio, and West Virginia.

In 2026-27, the full members will be Bluefield University, Brenau University, Bryan College, Columbia College, Columbia International University, Johnson University, Milligan University, Montreat College, University of Pikeville, Reinhardt University, Spartanburg Methodist College, Tennessee Wesleyan University, Truett McConnell University, and Union Commonwealth University. The affiliate members will be Carolina University, University of the Cumberlands, Georgetown College, Keiser University, Kentucky Christian University, Life University, Point University, University of Rio Grande, SCAD Savannah, St. Thomas University, Warner University, Webber International University, and West Virginia Institute of Technology. In 2027-28, Andrew College and Faulkner University will join the AAC as affiliate members in the sport of football.

When Carolina joins for the 2027-28 campaign, the AAC will grow to 15 full members.