University of North Alabama Joins ASUN

DeAndre Pearson

In the fall of 2018, a new team will be joining the ASUN to compete against North Florida. 608 miles separate the two teams, who will see each other in numerous sports throughout the year.

The University of North Alabama will be the new kids on the block joining the ranks of Florida Gulf Coast University, North Florida, Stetson, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Lipscomb and Kennesaw State. USC Upstate will be leaving the ASUN division and joining the Big South. 

Currently, UNA competes in the Gulf South Conference, but the university accepted their bid to become a Division I school back in 2016. Thus, starting their four year transition into the ASUN.

All of North Alabama athletics will be eligible to compete in the ASUN starting in 2018, according to the NCAA. These teams will also become eligible for NCAA Tournament bids starting 2022.  However, North Alabama’s football program will compete in the Big South Conference as part of the agreement between ASUN and Big South Conference.   

According to the North Florida Athletic Department, UNA brings plenty of success being a former Division II school. UNA has enjoyed plenty of collegiate success winning seven NCAA Division II titles in four different sports: basketball, football, volleyball and softball.  

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