Southern States Conference Explained

Southern States Conference should not be confused with Southern States Athletic Conference.

Southern States Conference
Founded:	1938
Dissolved:	1997
Conference:	NAIA
Region:	Southern United States
Formerly:	Alabama Intercollegiate Conference (1938–1959) Alabama Collegiate Conference (1959–1972) Southern States Conference (1972–1997)
Headquarters:	Marion, Alabama
Commissioner:	Larry Maples
Since:	1996
Map:	Southern States Conference-USA-states.png
Map Size:	250

The Southern States Conference (SSC) was an affiliate of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics that included member institutions in the U.S. states of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Florida.^{[1] [2]} The league existed from 1938 to 1997.^[2]

History

The league was established in December 1938 as the Alabama Intercollegiate Conference (AIC), comprising schools from just that state. The six charter members were: Jacksonville State Teachers College, Saint Bernard College, Troy State Teachers College, Snead Junior College, Livingston State Teachers College, and Marion Military Institute.^{[1] [3]} The league ceased operations in 1942 because of World War II and because several member schools dropped their intercollegiate athletics programs.^[4] The AIC was reformed again in January 1948 after a five year lapse.^[4] In 1959 it was renamed the Alabama Collegiate Conference (ACC),^[5] and then in May 1972, the league was rebranded as Southern States Conference.^[6]

At the conclusion of the 1994–95 school year, two schools left the SSC, causing league membership to dip below the six required to have an NAIA championship in every sport except basketball.^[7] The SSC then existed in 1995–96 as a basketball-only conference.^{[7] [8]} It returned to an all-sports conference for 1996–97 before dissolving.^[9]

Members

Institution	Location	Founded	Nickname	Joined	Left	Current conference	Ref.
Alabama Christian College / Faulkner University	Montgomery, Alabama	1942		1981	1997	Southern States Athletic	^[10]
	Montevallo, Alabama	1896	Falcons	1960	1995	Gulf South
	Huntsville, Alabama	1950		1973	1993	Gulf South	^[11]
Athens College	Athens, Alabama	1822		1948	1997	N/A	^[12]
Auburn University at Montgomery	Montgomery, Alabama	1967		1975	1997	Gulf South	^[13]
Belhaven College	Jackson, Mississippi	1883		1974	1981	Collegiate Conference of the South	^[14] ^[15]
Birmingham–Southern College	Birmingham, Alabama	1856		1977	1996	Southern Athletic Association	^[16] ^[17]
Columbus College	Columbus, Georgia	1958		1972	1973	Peach Belt
Eldridge Baptist Academy / Eldridge Junior College	Eldridge, Alabama	1890		1939	1940	N/A	^[18] ^[19] ^[20] ^[21]
	Florence, Alabama	1830		1949	1971	ASUN	^[22] ^[23]
Huntingdon College	Montgomery, Alabama	1854		1960	1995	Collegiate Conference of the South
Jacksonville State Teachers College / Jacksonville State College / Jacksonville State University	Jacksonville, Alabama	1883	Gamecocks	1938	1970	Conference USA	^[24] ^[25]
Life College	Marietta, Georgia	1974	Running Eagles	1996	1997	Southern States Athletic
	Livingston, Alabama	1835		1938	1970	Gulf South
Marion Military Institute	Marion, Alabama	1842	Tigers	1938	1956	ACCC	^[26]
Saint Bernard College / Southern Benedictine College	Cullman, Alabama	1929	Saints	1938	1979	N/A	^[27]
Selma University	Selma, Alabama	1878	Bulldogs		1997	N/A
Snead State Junior College	Boaz, Alabama	1898	Parsons	1938	1956	ACCC
Southern Union Junior College	Wadley, Alabama	1922	Bison	1940	1956	ACCC	^[28] ^[29]
Spring Hill College	Mobile, Alabama	1830		1942	1981	SIAC	^[30]
Talladega College	Talladega, Alabama	1867	Tornadoes		1997	Continental Athletic Conference
Thomas College	Thomasville, Georgia	1950	Night Hawks	1996	1997	Southern States Athletic
Troy State Teachers College / Troy State College / Troy State University	Troy, Alabama	1887		1938	1972	Sun Belt
William Carey College	Hattiesburg, Mississippi	1892		1972	1981	Southern States Athletic	^[31] ^[32]
	Pensacola, Florida	1963	Argonauts	1975	1994	Gulf South

Champions

Football

• 1939 – Troy State^[33]
• 1940 – ^[34]
• 1941 – Troy State^[35]
• 1942–1946 – None (WWII)^[4]
• 1947 – Jacksonville State
• 1948 – Jacksonville State^[36]
• 1949 – Livingston State,^[37] Troy State^[38]
• 1950 –
• 1951 –

• 1952 –
• 1953 –
• 1954 – ^[39]
• 1955 –
• 1956 –
• 1957 –, Jacksonville State
• 1958 –
• 1959 –, Jacksonville State
• 1960 – ^[40]

• 1961 – ^[41]
• 1962 –,^[42] Jacksonville State^[42]
• 1963 –,^[43] Jacksonville State^[43]
• 1964 – Jacksonville State^[44]
• 1965 – Jacksonville State^[44]
• 1966 – Jacksonville State^[45]
• 1967 – Troy State^[46]
• 1968 – Troy State^[47]
• 1969 – Troy State^[48]

Notes and References

1. News: Six small Alabama colleges form intercollegiate conference at meeting. Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery, Alabama. December 11, 1938. August 31, 2021. Newspapers.com.
2. News: Sims. Kelvin. Alabama–Huntsville harvests Duncan, Jones . Montgomery Advertiser . Montgomery, Alabama . October 23, 1996. 39. Newspapers.com. December 30, 2021.
3. News: Key . Raiford . Member Of New A. I. Conference . The Troy Messenger . . December 15, 1938 . 6 . November 14, 2022 . Newspapers.com .
4. News: State Intercollegiate Conference Reforms After Five-Year Lapse . The Troy Messenger . Troy, Alabama. January 28, 1948. January 1, 2022. Newspapers.com.
5. News: Dr. Boyd Chosen As Group Prexy . The Troy Messenger . Troy, Alabama . December 9, 1959. 1. Newspapers.com. January 1, 2022.
6. News: Mitchell. Alan. ACC changes name, adds two members . Montgomery Advertiser . Montgomery, Alabama . May 4, 1972. 45. Newspapers.com. December 30, 2021.
7. News: Sims. Kelvin. Southern States Conference down but not out . Montgomery Advertiser . Montgomery, Alabama . June 16, 1995. 37. Newspapers.com. December 30, 2021.
8. News: Sims. Kelvin. Instant contender: Bohannon's return earns AUM respect in polls . Montgomery Advertiser . Montgomery, Alabama . October 23, 1996. 39. Newspapers.com. December 31, 2021.
9. News: Sims. Kelvin . It's official – Southern States Conference has new Life. Montgomery Advertiser . Montgomery, Alabama. April 23, 1996. December 31, 2021. Newspapers.com.
10. News: Eagles Announce '81-'82 Schedule . . Montgomery, Alabama . June 24, 1981 . 44. Newspapers.com. January 1, 2022.
11. News: Carey kicks off season No. 25 against Bethel . . . November 14, 1974 . 17. Newspapers.com. December 31, 2021.
12. News: Alabama's Intercollegiate Conference . Montgomery Advertiser . Montgomery, Alabama . January 16, 1948. 24. Newspapers.com. January 1, 2022.
13. News: Ingram. Junior. Montevallo Tipoff Tourney Initiates Argos' 9th Season . . . October 9, 1975 . 33. Newspapers.com. December 31, 2021.
14. News: SSC Names Officials Head . Alabama Journal . Montgomery, Alabama . May 3, 1973 . 37. Newspapers.com. December 31, 2021.
15. News: Blazer coach hopes to reverse losing trend . . . March 10, 1982 . 108. Newspapers.com. January 1, 2022.
16. News: 'Southern Eyes Championships In Three Varsity Sports . The Montgomery Advertiser . Montgomery, Alabama . October 9, 1977 . 82. Newspapers.com. January 1, 2022.
17. News: TranSouth Athletic Conference Closes after 17 Seasons . Victory Sports Network . July 31, 2013.
18. Web site: Eldridge . Kaetz . James P. . encyclopediaofalabama.org . Encyclopedia of Alabama . The first school, the Eldridge Baptist Academy, was built in 1890, and the Eldridge Normal School opened in 1897. The town prospered until the onset of the Great Depression in 1929. The Eldridge Baptist Academy became a junior college in an attempt to remain open but eventually failed. Eldridge incorporated in 1972..
19. News: Eldridge Added to Minor League . . . December 10, 1939. 10. Newspapers.com. December 31, 2021.
20. News: Choate and Key Named on Alabama Intercollegiate Loop . . . January 11, 1940 . 3. Newspapers.com . December 31, 2021.
21. News: Marion Cadets Possibly Have An Open Date . Montgomery Advertiser . Montgomery, Alabama . October 14, 1940. 6. Newspapers.com. December 31, 2021.
22. News: Final ACC Statistics – Standings . Alabama Journal . Montgomery, Alabama . May 26, 1971. 34. Newspapers.com. December 31, 2021.
23. News: Mitchell. Alan. Alabama State Needs Wins As Tourney Draws Nearer . Montgomery Advertiser . Montgomery, Alabama . February 6, 1972. 47. Newspapers.com. December 31, 2021.
24. News: Smith. George. ACC future is up in air . . . February 21, 1971 . 19. Newspapers.com. January 1, 2022.
25. News: Thomas. Roy. ACC on Rocky Ground . Montgomery Advertiser . Montgomery, Alabama . July 12, 1971 . 13. Newspapers.com. January 1, 2022.
26. News: Snead Joins Junior College Loop . The Albertville Herald . . October 25, 1956 . 2. Newspapers.com. January 2, 2022.
27. News: Benedictine Drops Sports . Alabama Journal . Montgomery, Alabama . March 14, 1979 . 50. Newspapers.com. January 1, 2022.
28. News: State Collegiate Conference Court Meet Goes to Troy . . . February 10, 1941 . 14. Newspapers.com. December 31, 2021.
29. News: Captain Murfee Is Reelected Officer Of AIA Conference . . . December 8, 1940 . 17. Newspapers.com. December 31, 2021.
30. News: Blackburn. Doug. Jock in Mind & Professor in Body . The Town Talk . Alexandria, Louisiana . November 19, 1981 . 17. Newspapers.com. January 1, 2022.
31. News: O'Keefe is pleased with roundball practice . Hattiesburg American . Hattiesburg, Mississippi . October 25, 1972. 12. Newspapers.com. December 30, 2021.
32. News: Phelps. Gene. Carey jumps out to big lead, rips outmanned SUNO . Hattiesburg American . Hattiesburg, Mississippi . November 24, 1981. 13. Newspapers.com. December 30, 2021.
33. News: Troy looks forward to winning sixth game of season . . . November 28, 1939. 5. Newspapers.com. January 16, 2022.
34. News: Bud Moss Is Member Livingston State Squad . The Clarke County Democrat . . November 21, 1940. 1. Newspapers.com. January 16, 2022.
35. News: House. Jack . Harmony Is Keynote On State Commission; Guercio Reappointed . The Birmingham News . Birmingham, Alabama . December 2, 1941. 28. Newspapers.com. January 16, 2022.
36. News: Hutto. Earl. Red Wave Drills Hard For Game With Jacksonville In Paper Bowl . The Troy Messenger . Troy, Alabama . December 13, 1948. 13. Newspapers.com. January 16, 2022.
37. News: Livingston State To Meet Jacksonville In Paper Bowl . . . December 11, 1949. 62. Newspapers.com. January 16, 2022.
38. News: Mancha Greets 75 Candidates As Livingston Opens Practice . Montgomery Advertiser . Montgomery, Alabama . September 7, 1950 . 16. Newspapers.com. January 16, 2022.
39. News: F.S.T.C. Football Squad Is Honored . The Florence Herald . Florence, Alabama . December 2, 1954. 2. Newspapers.com. March 20, 2022.
40. News: Heavy Action Among Small Colleges Sat. . . . November 17, 1960 . 10. Newspapers.com. January 19, 2022.
41. News: FSU Footballers Feted At Supper . The Advertiser and Marion County News-Journal . . December 20, 1961 . 7. Newspapers.com. January 18, 2022.
42. News: Dean. Lester. Jax Wins Conference . Collegian . Jacksonville, Alabama . December 17, 1962 . 4. Newspapers.com. January 18, 2022.
43. News: Jax, Lions Tie For Lead . Collegian . Jacksonville, Alabama . November 25, 1963 . 4. Newspapers.com. January 18, 2022.
44. News: Gamecocks Down the Lions 6–0 . Collegian . Jacksonville, Alabama . December 14, 1965 . 16. Newspapers.com. January 18, 2022.
45. News: Adams . Sam . National Title For Crimson Tide Highlights Alabama's Sports Year . Alabama Journal . Montgomery, Alabama . December 31, 1966 . 16. Newspapers.com. January 18, 2022.
46. News: ACC Champs Battle NW In Louisiana . Montgomery Advertiser . Montgomery, Alabama . October 28, 1967 . 10. Newspapers.com. January 18, 2022.
47. News: Top NAIA Grid Honors Go To Troy State . The Progress . . December 31, 1968. 6. Newspapers.com. January 18, 2022.
48. News: Troy Dominates All-ACC Picks With 8 Players . Selma Times-Journal . Selma, Alabama . December 12, 1969. 7. Newspapers.com. January 18, 2022.