May 10, 2006 
Contact: Cory Blackson, Sports Information Director

Meredith College to Join the USA South

(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.) - The USA South Athletic Conference has announced that Meredith College will join the Conference as a full member.  The addition of the Raleigh, N.C. institution brings the number of full members of the USA South Athletic Conference to ten.  "The USA South Athletic Conference is pleased to welcome Meredith College into the Conference," stated Commissioner Rita Wiggs.  "We value the academic reputation and athletic profile that they represent.  We look forward to working with all the constituencies of their college." 

Starting with the 2007-2008 academic year, Meredith will compete with Averett University, Christopher Newport University, Ferrum College, Greensboro College, Mary Baldwin College, Methodist College, North Carolina Wesleyan College, Peace College and Shenandoah University for USA South titles in women's sports.  Meredith offers six women's sports (cross country, volleyball, soccer, basketball, softball and tennis) that the USA South sponsors. 

"Membership in an athletic conference will offer significant advantages to our athletic teams and to greatly enhance the quality of our student-athlete experience," said Meredith President Maureen A. Hartford. 

The institution was founded in 1891 and opened its doors in 1899 as the Baptist Female University.  In 1909 the institution changed its name to Meredith College in honor of Thomas Meredith, a leading figure among N.C. Baptists.  Meredith's main campus is located in Raleigh, N.C.  Meredith offers more than 60 majors and concentrations.