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Andrew, Faulkner to Join AAC in Football in 2027

New football affiliates for the 2027 season
June 12, 2026

WALESKA, Ga. – Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) football is growing. Andrew College (Ga.) and Faulkner University (Ala.) will take to the gridiron as affiliate members in 2027.

"We are so excited to add both Faulkner University and Andrew College to the AAC football family," said AAC Commissioner Bill Popp. "Both fit the mission of the AAC and help us continue to grow football in a positive way and help to create a very competitive environment for all of our teams."

The AAC Council of Presidents approved the addition of Andrew and Faulkner at its annual meeting on June 5.

With the two new affiliates, the AAC will have nine teams competing in football in 2027. Andrew and Faulkner join Bluefield University (Va.), Kentucky Christian University, Pikeville University (Ky.), Point University (Ga.), Reinhardt University (Ga.), University of Rio Grande (Ohio), and Union Commonwealth University (Ky.).

The AAC has sponsored football as a championship sport since 2022. Reinhardt has won or shared all four league championships with Pikeville sharing the 2024 title.

About Andrew College:
 Andrew College was founded in 1854 and is located in Cuthbert, Ga. A longtime two-year institution, Andrew recently transitioned into a four-year college and was accepted a member of the NAIA in the fall of 2025 and is a full member of the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC).

"Joining the AAC elevates our football program to a new level of competition and visibility," said Andrew Athletic Director Brian Skortz. "This conference aligns with our mission, our values, and our vision for the future. We look forward to building strong rivalries, representing our community with pride, and contributing to the rich tradition of the AAC."

Andrew announced the addition of football in October of 2023 and has two seasons of competition under its belt. The Fighting Tigers went 5-2 in their inaugural season of 2024 and saw 10 student-athletes transfer to four-year institutions. During the 2025 campaign, Andrew went 8-1 overall and 1-1 in conference play, ending the season on a three-game win streak and going 3-0 on the road. The Fighting Tigers averaged 420 yards and 33 points per game, while holding their opponents to 190 yards and 17 points per game in 2025.

"This move represents an exciting new chapter for our program," said Andrew Head Football Coach Dr. Nicholas Garrett. "The AAC will provide outstanding competition and opportunities for our student-athletes to grow both academically and athletically."

  • Founded: 1854
  • Location: Cuthbert, Ga.
  • Church Affiliation: United Methodist Church
  • President: Dr. William Kennedy
  • Athletic Director: Brian Skortz
  • Sports Offered: 18 – baseball, men's and women's basketball, cheerleading, men's and women's cross country, dance, football, women's flag football, men's golf, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's track & field, men's and women's wrestling, women's volleyball
  • Sports Affiliations: NAIA and Southern States Athletic Conference
  • Mascot: Fighting Tigers
  • Colors: Blue and Gold
  • Athletics website: www.andrewfightingtigers.com

About Faulkner University:

Founded in 1942, Faulkner University is located in Montgomery, Ala., and began playing football in 2007. The Eagles boast an overall record of 87-109 and have competed in the Mid-South Conference since 2008, winning a pair of league championships in 2013 and 2014.

The Eagles advanced to the NAIA Football Championship Series twice in 2013 and 2014.

"We are deeply grateful to the presidents of the Appalachian Athletic Conference and Commissioner Bill Popp for the confidence they have placed in our institution through this invitation to join the AAC as an affiliate football member beginning in 2027," said Faulkner Athletic Director Reed Sutton. "This opportunity aligns perfectly with our vision for competitive excellence, student-athlete development, and institutional growth.

"The AAC provides an outstanding football home that features respected programs, strong leadership, and several regional opponents that will create meaningful rivalries and exciting experiences for our student-athletes, coaches, alumni, and fans," he continued. "We are thrilled for our coaches and student-athletes, who will have the opportunity to compete in a conference known for its competitive spirit and commitment to excellence. We look forward to building lasting relationships across the league and contributing to the continued success of the Appalachian Athletic Conference for years to come."

Faulkner is no stranger to teams in the AAC, owning a 34-19 record against teams in the league. Faulkner also has rivalries against a pair of AAC teams. The Battle of I-85 is a series against Point, and the teams play for a wrestling championship belt. The Stone-Campbell Cup is played against Kentucky Christian with the trophy honoring both schools' heritage in the Restoration Movement by Barton Stone and Alexander Campbell.

"This is a great opportunity for our football program, our student athletes, and our university as a whole. The AAC is a strong, competitive conference with outstanding institutions that value athletic excellence while emphasizing the overall student-athlete experience," said Faulkner Head Football Coach Dayne Brown.

"As a program, we are looking forward to building new relationships, re-igniting some traditional rivalries, developing new ones, and competing at a high level within this conference. We believe the timing of this move aligns well with the trajectory of Faulkner football and provides a tremendous platform for continued growth."

  • Founded: 1942
  • Location: Montgomery, Ala.
  • Church Affiliation: Church of Christ
  • President: Mitch Henry, J.D.
  • Athletic Director: Reed Sutton
  • Sports Offered: 16 – baseball, men's and women's basketball, bass fishing, cheerleading, men's and women's cross country, esports, football, women's flag football, men's and women's golf, men's and women's soccer, softball, women's volleyball
  • Sports Affiliations: NAIA and Southern States Athletic Conference
  • Mascot: Eagles
  • Colors: Blue and White
  • Athletics website: www.faulknereagles.com 

About the AAC:
The Appalachian Athletic Conference 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 University, Montreat College, Alice Lloyd College, and Union Commonwealth University.

In 2019, the Conference became the largest NAIA-affiliated conference with 16 full members in seven southeastern states. Currently, the AAC now has 14 full members: Bluefield (Va.), Brenau (Ga.), Bryan (Tenn.), Columbia (S.C.), Columbia International (S.C.), Johnson (Tenn.), Milligan (Tenn.), Montreat (N.C.), Pikeville (Ky.), Reinhardt (Ga.), Spartanburg Methodist (S.C.), Tennessee Wesleyan, Truett McConnell (Ga.), and Union Commonwealth (Ky.). The AAC has 14 affiliate members as well: Carolina (N.C.) Cumberlands (Ky.), Georgetown (Ky.), Keiser (Fla.), Kentucky Christian, Life (Ga.), Point (Ga.), Rio Grande (Ohio), SCAD Savannah (Ga.), St. Thomas (Fla.), Tennessee Southern, Warner (Fla.), Webber International (Fla.), and West Virginia Tech.

The AAC sponsors championships in 24 sports: cross country, soccer, football, basketball, swimming & diving, indoor track & field, wrestling, volleyball, lacrosse, outdoor track & field, golf, baseball, and tennis for men; cross country, soccer, volleyball, basketball, swimming & diving, indoor track & field, lacrosse, outdoor track & field, golf, softball, and tennis for women.