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Sunshine State Conference

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Sunshine State Conference
AssociationNCAA
Founded1975
CommissionerEd Pasque (since 2014)
Sports fielded
  • 21
    • men's: 9
    • women's: 12
DivisionDivision II
No. of teams11
HeadquartersMelbourne, Florida
RegionFlorida
Official websitesunshinestateconference.com
Locations
Location of teams in {{{title}}}

The Sunshine State Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division II level. All of its member institutions are located in the state of Florida, which is popularly known as the Sunshine State.

The conference was originally formed in 1975 as a men's basketball conference. It has since expanded to sponsor championships in 18 sports, including men's and women's basketball, baseball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, women's rowing, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's swimming, men's and women's tennis, women's volleyball.

SSC institutions have won a total of 111 NCAA national team championships, including a conference record seven in the 2014–15 and 2018–19 academic years.[1] The conference has also claimed a total of 90 national runner-up trophies.[2]

History

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The conference was preceded by the Florida Intercollegiate Conference,[citation needed] which was disbanded in the mid-1960s. The Sunshine State Conference was founded in 1975 by Saint Leo University (then Saint Leo College) basketball coach & athletic director Norm Kaye. Kaye served as Commissioner the first year until Dick Pace was named Commissioner in 1976. Kaye continued as Executive Director of the Conference for an additional 12 years. Pace was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1985.

The six charter Conference members were: Biscayne College (now St. Thomas University), Florida Technological University (now University of Central Florida), Eckerd College, Florida Southern College, Rollins College, and Saint Leo College.

The Conference has seen dozens of athletes go on to have successful professional careers. Some examples include: Current PGA Tour players Lee Janzen and Rocco Mediate went to Florida Southern. Janzen won golf's U.S. Open in 1993 & 1998; on the baseball side are Tino Martinez (Tampa), Tim Wakefield (Florida Tech), Ryan Hanigan (Rollins), Bob Tewksbury (Saint Leo), and J. D. Martinez (Nova Southeastern). Wakefield tied a career high of 17 wins pitching for the 2007 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox and Tewksbury was third in balloting for the National League Cy Young Award while going 16–5 for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1992.

Chronological timeline

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Sunshine State Conference
Map
About OpenStreetMaps
Maps: terms of use
75km
50miles
Barry
Tampa
Saint Leo
Rollins
Palm Beach Atlantic
Nova Southeastern
Lynn
Florida Tech
Florida
Southern
Embry–Riddle
.
Eckerd
Location of members:
  • March 2, 1975 – Basketball conference exploration meeting is held at Florida Southern College in Lakeland. Main purpose of meeting is to discuss formation of an NCAA Division II mid-Florida basketball conference.[3]
  • March 16, 1975 – Second exploration meeting is held at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg. The name "Sunshine State Conference" is suggested by Dr. Calvin C. Miller and is adopted for league use. Norm Kaye of Saint Leo is named Interim Commissioner. Dr. Thomas B. Southard, president of Saint Leo College, is named as first conference president.
  • June 1975 – Conference constitution adopted.
  • October 8, 1975 – First meeting of the SSC is held in Orlando. Basketball regulations and league bylaws are revised and approved.
  • December 3, 1975 – Florida Southern defeats Eckerd, 96–84, in first SSC basketball game played in Saint Petersburg.
  • April 8, 1976 – Dick Pace is named league commissioner. NCAA approves automatic bid for SSC basketball champion. Golf and Tennis are added to league for 1976–77, baseball and soccer are added for 1977–78.
  • May 18, 1977 – First Sunshine State Conference men's basketball tournament held
  • February 1, 1981 – Norm Kaye of Saint Leo is appointed as executive of SSC. Executive Committee is formed, consisting of league athletic directors.
  • July 1, 1981 – Florida Institute of Technology joins the Sunshine State Conference.
  • September 2, 1981 – The University of Tampa joins the Sunshine State Conference.
  • April 15, 1982 – League adopts women's competition in basketball, cross country, slow-pitch softball, tennis, and volleyball.
  • May 1, 1984 – University of Central Florida (formerly Florida Technological University) withdraws from the conference. Women's fast-pitch softball is adopted for league play in 1985.
  • February 2, 1986 – Bob Vanatta, athletic director at Louisiana Tech University, is named as league's first full-time commissioner.
  • June 13, 1988 – Barry University joins the conference.
  • November 1990 – Conference signs a two-year contract with the Sunshine Network for seven events.
  • February 11, 1991 – University of North Florida joins the conference, effective July 1, 1992.
  • July 1, 1994 – Don Landry is named conference commissioner and conference relocates to Orlando.
  • November 22, 1994 – Conference announces three-year deal to have postseason basketball tournament at The Lakeland Center. The SSC will serve as host in 1996 and 1997.
  • December 1, 1994 – Sunshine Network announces nine-event television package for school year.
  • June 9, 1995 – Inaugural SSC Awards Luncheon held in Orlando.
  • February 29, 1996 – Inaugural SSC Hall of Fame/Honors banquet held in Lakeland.
  • September 30, 1996 – University of North Florida withdraws from the Sunshine State Conference, effective June 30, 1997.
  • October 15, 1996 – Women's crew added to Sunshine State Conference sponsored sports.
  • December 18, 1996 – Lynn University joins the Sunshine State Conference, effective July 1, 1997.
  • July 15, 1998 – League adds women's soccer and women's golf as sponsored sports.
  • August 24, 1999 – Saint Leo College becomes Saint Leo University and adopts new nickname ("Lions") and logo.
  • July 1, 2000 – 25th Anniversary of the Sunshine State Conference.
  • August 26, 2002 – Nova Southeastern University joins the Sunshine State Conference as a provisional member.
  • May 26, 2004 – Don Landry announced retirement as SSC Commissioner, effective August 1, 2004. Landry remained acting commissioner through September 6, 2004.
  • July 26, 2004 – Michael J. Marcil named SSC commissioner, effective September 7, 2004.
  • September 14, 2009 – Jay Jones officially begins duties as the SSC commissioner, replacing Mike Marcil, who left the post June 30, 2009.
  • April 7, 2010 – League adds men's and women's swimming as sponsored sport.
  • July 1, 2013 – League adds men's lacrosse as sponsored sport.
  • February 3, 2014 – Ed Pasque officially begins duties as the SSC commissioner, replacing Jay Jones, who left the post December 31, 2013.
  • July 1, 2014 – League adds women's lacrosse as sponsored sport. – Palm Beach Atlantic University and Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University join Sunshine State Conference as provisional members; effective July 1, 2015.
  • December 13, 2023 – The SSC announced the addition of three sports in 2024–25—beach volleyball, plus men's and women's outdoor track & field. The SSC will become the first conference outside NCAA Division I to officially sponsor beach volleyball.[4]

Member schools

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Current members

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The SSC currently has 11 full members, all are private schools:

Institution Location[a] Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined Colors
Barry University Miami Shores 1940 Catholic 6,958 Buccaneers 1988      
Eckerd College St. Petersburg 1958 Presbyterian 1,993 Tritons 1975    
Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach 1926 Nonsectarian 8,370 Eagles 2015[b]    
Florida Southern College Lakeland 1883 United Methodist 3,283 Moccasins 1975    
Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne 1958 Nonsectarian 8,358 Panthers 1981    
Lynn University Boca Raton 1962 Nonsectarian 3,520 Fighting Knights 1997[c]    
Nova Southeastern University Davie 1964 Nonsectarian 20,948 Sharks 2002[d]    
Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach 1968 Christian 3,829 Sailfish 2015[e]    
Rollins College Winter Park 1885 Nonsectarian 2,709 Tars 1975      
Saint Leo University St. Leo 1889 Catholic 2,788 Lions 1975    
University of Tampa Tampa 1931 Nonsectarian 10,566 Spartans 1981      
Notes
  1. ^ All cities are located in the State of Florida.
  2. ^ The Embry–Riddle men's and women's basketball teams joined the SSC two years after becoming a full member for other sports (2017–18).
  3. ^ The Lynn men's and women's basketball teams joined the SSC a year after becoming a full member for other sports (1998–99).
  4. ^ The Nova Southeastern men's and women's basketball teams joined the SSC two years after becoming a full member for other sports (2004–05).
  5. ^ The Palm Beach Atlantic men's and women's basketball teams joined the SSC a year after becoming a full member for other sports (2016–17).

Former members

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The SSC had three former full members, all but one were public schools:

Institution Location[a] Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined Left Current
conference
University of Central Florida Orlando 1963 Public 68,571 Knights 1975 1984 Big 12[b]
University of North Florida Jacksonville 1969 Public 16,309 Ospreys 1992[c] 1997 ASUN[b]
St. Thomas University Miami Gardens 1961 Catholic 1,750 Bobcats 1975 1987 The Sun[d]
Notes
  1. ^ All cities were located in the State of Florida.
  2. ^ a b Currently an NCAA Division I athletic conference.
  3. ^ The North Florida men's and women's basketball teams joined the SSC a year after becoming a full member for other sports (1993–94).
  4. ^ Currently an NAIA athletic conference.

Membership timeline

[edit]
Palm Beach Atlantic UniversityEmbry–Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona BeachNova Southeastern UniversityLynn UniversityUniversity of North FloridaBarry UniversityUniversity of TampaFlorida Institute of TechnologySt. Thomas University (Florida)University of Central FloridaSaint Leo UniversityRollins CollegeFlorida Southern CollegeEckerd College

 Full member (all sports)   Full member (non-football)   Associate member (sport) 

Conference facilities

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Institution Arena Capacity
Barry Health and Sports Center 1,938
Embry–Riddle ICI Center 1,968
Eckerd McArthur Center 1,000
Florida Southern Jenkins Field House 2,500
Florida Tech Clemente Center 1,500
Lynn de Hoernle Center 1,000
Nova Southeastern Rick Case Arena at the Don Taft University Center 5,500
Palm Beach Atlantic Rubin Arena 2,000
Rollins Warden Arena 2,500
Saint Leo Marion Bowman Activities Center 2,000
Tampa Bob Martinez Sports Center 3,432

National Championships

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Sunshine State Conference schools have won 118 NCAA Division II National Championships.

Championships by year

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Year Titles Team
1965-66 1 Rollins tennis (M)
1966-67
1967-68
1968-69
1969-70 1 Rollins golf (M)
1970-71 1 Florida Southern Baseball
1971–72 1 Florida Southern Baseball • Rollins tennis (M)
1972-73
1973-74
1974-75 1 Florida Southern Baseball
1975-76
1976-77
1977–78 1 Florida Southern Baseball
1978-79
1979-80
1980-81 4 Florida Southern Baseball • Florida southern Basketball (M) • Florida Southern golf (M) • Tampa Soccer (M)
1981-82 1 Florida Southern golf (M)
1982–83
1983-84
1984-85 2 Florida Southern Baseball• Florida Southern golf (M)
1985-86 1 Florida Southern golf (M)
1986-87 1 Tampa golf (M)
1987–88 3 Florida Southern Baseball • Tampa golf (M) • Florida Tech soccer (M)
1988–89
1989-90 2 Florida Southern golf (M) • Barry soccer (W)
1990-91 3 Florida Southern golf (M) • Rollins tennis (M) • Florida Tech soccer (M)
1991-92 1 Tampa Baseball
1992-93 3 Tampa Baseball • Barry soccer (W) • Florida Southern softball
1993–94 1 Barry soccer (W) • Tampa soccer (M)
1994-95 2 Florida Southern Baseball • Florida Southern golf (M)
1995-96 2 Florida Southern golf (M) • Barry Volleyball (W)
1996-97 1 Lynn tennis (W)
1997-98 4 Tampa Baseball • Florida Southern golf (M) • Lynn soccer (W) • Lynn tennis (W)
1998–99 1 Florida Southern golf (M)
1999-2000 2 Florida Southern golf (M)• Florida Southern golf (W)
2000–01 3 Florida Southern golf (W) • Rollins tennis (M) • Lynn tennis (W)
2001–02 3 Rollins golf (M)• Florida Southern golf (W) • Barry Volleyball (W)
2002–03 1 Rollins golf (W)
2003–04 1 Rollins golf (W)
2004–05 3 Florida Southern Baseball• Rollins golf (W) • Barry volleyball (W)
2005–06 2 Tampa Baseball, Rollins golf (W)
2006–07 6 Tampa Baseball • Barry golf (M) • Florida Southern golf (W) • Tampa soccer (W) • Lynn tennis (M) • Tampa volleyball (W)
2007–08 1 Rollins golf (W)
2008–09 2 Lynn baseball • Nova Southeastern golf (W)
2009–10 3 Florida Southern golf (M) • Nova Southeastern golf (W) • Barry tennis (M)
2010–11 2 Nova Southeastern golf (W) • Barry tennis (W)
2011–12 2 Nova Southeastern golf (M) • Nova Southeastern golf (W)
2012–13 6 Tampa baseball • Barry golf (M) • Lynn golf (W) • Nova Southeastern rowing • Lynn soccer (M) • Barry tennis (M)
2013–14 3 Barry golf (M) • Lynn golf (W) • Barry tennis (W)
2014–15 7 Tampa baseball • Florida Southern basketball (M) • Nova Southeastern golf (M) • Barry rowing • Lynn soccer (M) • Barry tennis (M) • Tampa volleyball
2015–16 5 Nova Southeastern baseball • Saint Leo golf (M) • Rollins golf (W) • Florida Southern lacrosse (W) • Barry rowing
2016–17 3 Barry tennis (W)[5] • Barry golf (W) • Florida Southern golf (M)
2017–18 2 Barry tennis (W)[6] • Lynn golf (M)[7]
2018–19 7 Barry soccer (M)[8] • Tampa volleyball[9] • Florida Tech golf (W)[10] • Lynn golf (M)[11] • Barry tennis (M)[12] • Barry tennis (W)[13] • Tampa baseball[14]
2019–20
2020–21 2 Barry tennis (M) • Barry tennis (W)
2021–22 4 Tampa lacrosse (M) • Barry tennis (M) • Barry tennis (W) • Tampa Volleyball (W)
2022–23 4 Nova Southeastern basketball (M) • Nova Southeastern golf (M) • Nova Southeastern swimming (W) • Barry tennis (M) • Barry tennis (W)
2023–24

Championships by school

[edit]
School NCAA
Titles
Most Recent
Florida Southern 30 2017 — men's golf
Barry 28 2023 — men's and women's tennis
Tampa 18 2021 — volleyball
Lynn 14* 2019 — men's golf
Nova Southeastern 13 2024 — women's swimming & diving, women's tennis
Rollins 12 2016 — women's golf
Florida Tech 3 2019 — women's golf
Saint Leo 1 2016 — men's golf
North Florida 1 1994 — women's tennis

Controversy

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On July 17, 2007, NCAA vacated Lynn's 2005 Women's Division II Softball Championship due to extra benefits given to two players. The NCAA found that former coach Thomas Macera gave two Lynn softball players cash payments totaling more than $3,000. Lynn was also placed on probation for two years.[15] As of 2019-20 Lynn University has won 15 national championships at the Division II level, but now the NCAA recognizes only 14 of them because of the unsanctioned actions.

Mayors' Cup Champions

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The Mayors' Cup was originally presented following the 1986–1987 academic year to recognize the annual SSC all-sports champion. The men's division recognizes competition in eight sports: soccer, cross country, basketball, swimming, golf, tennis, lacrosse and baseball. The Women's Mayors' Cup recognizes competition in nine sports: volleyball, soccer, cross country, basketball, swimming, golf, tennis, softball and rowing.[16]

Sports

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Conference sports
Sport Men's Women's
Baseball Green tickY
Basketball Green tickY Green tickY
Beach volleyball Green tickY
Cross country Green tickY Green tickY
Golf Green tickY Green tickY
Lacrosse Green tickY Green tickY
Rowing Green tickY
Soccer Green tickY Green tickY
Softball Green tickY
Swimming & Diving Green tickY Green tickY
Tennis Green tickY Green tickY
Track & field outdoor Green tickY Green tickY
Volleyball Green tickY

SSC is adding Beach Volleyball, Men's Outdoor Track, and Women's Outdoor Track championships in 2024–25.

Men's sponsored sports by school

[edit]
School Baseball Basketball Cross
country
Golf Lacrosse Soccer Swimming
& diving
Tennis Track &
field outdoor
Total
SSC
sports
Barry Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 8
Eckerd Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 5
Embry–Riddle Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 8
Florida Southern Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 9
Florida Tech Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 5
Lynn Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 9
Nova Southeastern Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 7
Palm Beach Atlantic Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 8
Rollins Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 7
Saint Leo Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 7
Tampa Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 8
Totals 11 11 8 10 8 11 7 8 7 84

Women's sponsored sports by school

[edit]
School Basketball Beach
volleyball
Cross
country
Golf Lacrosse Rowing Soccer Softball Swimming
& diving
Tennis Track &
field outdoor
Volleyball Total
SSC
sports
Barry Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 11
Eckerd Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 7
Embry–Riddle Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 10
Florida Southern Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 11
Florida Tech Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 6
Lynn Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 10
Nova Southeastern Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 9
Palm Beach Atlantic Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 10
Rollins Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 9
Saint Leo Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 9
Tampa Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 12
Totals 11 6 8 10 8 5 11 11 7 10 7 11 107

Other sponsored sports by school

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School Men Women
Track
& field
indoor
Volleyball [a] Track
& field
indoor
Barry [b]
Embry–Riddle PBC PBC
Florida Southern IND IND
  1. ^ De facto Division I sport. The NCAA's top-level national championship is open to members of Divisions I and II.
  2. ^ Barry will add men's volleyball in the 2025 season (2024–25 school year).

Discontinued Sports

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Florida Tech= Football, Men's Cross Country, Men's Golf, Women's Cross Country, Women's Golf, Women's Rowing

Rollins= Football, Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country

St. Leo= Men's Swimming, Men's Track, Women's Swimming, Women's Track

Tampa= Football, Men's Tennis, Men's Wrestling

References

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  1. ^ "SSC Collects NCAA Division II Best Seven National Titles in 2018-19". July 2, 2019. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  2. ^ "Sunshine State Conference National Champions". Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  3. ^ "About The SSC". July 29, 2015. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  4. ^ "Sunshine State Conference Adds Beach Volleyball and Outdoor Track" (Press release). Sunshine State Conference. December 13, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  5. ^ "Barry Women's Tennis Defeats Lynn to Win NCAA Championship". Sunshine State Conference. May 13, 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  6. ^ "Barry Women's Tennis Claims Fourth National Title in Eight Years". May 12, 2018. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  7. ^ "Lynn Wins 2018 NCAA Division II Men's Golf National Title". May 25, 2018. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  8. ^ "Barry Men's Soccer Rallies For First National Championship". December 1, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  9. ^ "Tampa Defeats Western Washington to Capture Third Volleyball Title". December 1, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  10. ^ "Florida Tech Women's Golf Wins 2019 National Championship". May 18, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  11. ^ "Lynn Men's Golf Tops Lincoln Memorial for NCAA Title". May 25, 2019. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  12. ^ "Barry Men's Tennis Rallies For Fourth National Championship". May 25, 2019. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  13. ^ "Barry Men's Tennis Rallies For Fourth National Championship". May 25, 2019. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  14. ^ "Tampa Baseball Wins the 2019 NCAA D2 National Championship". June 8, 2019. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
  15. ^ "NCAA vacates Lynn's 2005 softball title", Palm Beach Post Staff, Palm Beach Post, July 17, 2007
  16. ^ "Sunshine State Conference Mayors' Cup". Retrieved July 1, 2018.
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