FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Gary Holden, Sports Information Director
(540) 365-4306
 
June 18, 2003
 
 
Dixie Changes Name to "USA South"
League in Operation Since 1963
 
Fayetteville, N.C. - The Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference has officially changed its name to the USA South Athletic Conference, effective immediately.  The league's web site is now found at www.usasouth.net.
 
According to current USA South President John Thompson, the possibility of a name change had been discussed on a presidential level within the league for the past year-and-a-half. The athletic directors proposed the name to the presidents and it was approved unanimously.
 
“The energy and dynamics of the Conference have been transformed in the past couple of years with the addition of a fulltime Commissioner, Sports Information Director, sports and institutions. These positive forces of growth led us into discussions for the selection of a new name that would be reflective of our national reputation in the NCAA Division III, show respect and sensitivity to all members and denote our regional geographical location.”
 
"Our conference has earned a national presence in Division III athletics and is now going through an exciting period of expansion and enhancement,” said Paul Trible, President of Christopher Newport University and Chairman of the Conference Presidents Council. “Our membership is expanding. Sports are being added. Our new name, USA South Athletic Conference, honors our national reputation, underscores our location and is more appropriate to America in the 21st century.”
 
The Dixie Conference was formed on March 14, 1963 and is a member of the NCAA Division III. It sponsors seven men’s (baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer and tennis) and seven women’s sports (basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball).
 
Current USA South member schools include: Averett University, Chowan College, Christopher Newport University, Ferrum College, Greensboro College, Methodist College, N.C. Wesleyan College and Shenandoah University. The Conference announced in November that Peace College will be joining, effective for the fall 2003 semester. For more information, contact Sports Information Director Sarah Jamieson at (910) 630-7326.
 
 
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