FGCU to join Atlantic Sun

[DawgPound]

MACON, Ga. – The Atlantic Sun Conference continued its recent expansion by adding Florida Gulf Coast University to the league’s membership as officially announced in a press conference held on the FGCU campus in Fort Myers, Fla., on May 10.

“The Atlantic Sun Conference is extremely pleased to announce the addition of the Florida Gulf Coast University,†said A-Sun Commissioner Bill Bibb. “We are excited about the natural rivalries; we are excited about the growth and community support that FGCU brings to the conference; and we are excited about adding a member which shares the commitment to both academics and athletics which has been a hallmark of the Atlantic Sun. The vision set forth by President Merwin and Athletics Director Carl McAloose presents an excellent plan for growth and success and we are proud that this will include being a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference.â€Â

FGCU has wasted little team in establishing the University as one of the most ambitious and fastest growing institutions in the southeast. Opening its doors in 1997, FGCU has recorded explosive growth with its enrollment expected to be in excess of 8,000 in the fall of 2006.

“We are delighted to accept the membership invitation from the Atlantic Sun Conference,†said Florida Gulf Coast University President Bill Merwin. “The Atlantic Sun Conference member institutions are widely recognized for their commitment to quality and for challenging their student-athletes to perform at the highest levels in the classroom and in the playing arena. We at FGCU share this mission of excellence for our Athletics program and our student-athletes, and we are honored to join the Atlantic Sun Conference.â€Â

Established on the verge of the 21st century, Florida Gulf Coast University infuses the strengths of the traditional public university with innovation and learning-centered spirit, its chief aim being to fulfill the academic, cultural, social, and career expectations of its constituents. Spanning 760 acres in southwest Florida, FGCU is in the enviable position of having all new facilities that were especially designed and built for a campus of the 21st century. Technology and distance learning complement the traditional campus setting, giving students a variety of delivery mode options.

The growth and enthusiasm that defines the school can be reflected in its athletics program. Since debuting in 2000 with the launch of men's and women's golf and men's and women's tennis, FGCU athletics is enjoying remarkable success as a young program only in its sixth year. In its first two seasons of NCAA post-season eligibility, FGCU athletics has had all 11 of its teams represented at NCAA Division II championship events, and during the past five years the program has posted an overall winning percentage of over .750. The excellence continues in 2005-06 as the Eagles will have 10 of their 11 teams participate in NCAA Division II National Championships despite competing as an independent. FGCU student-athletes excel in the classroom as well as in the playing arena. They have achieved an average 3.2 grade point average in each of the past ten semesters, with numerous student-athletes winning national academic awards. Additionally, the Eagles averaged over 1800 fans at each men’s basketball game which would immediately place them in the top-5 in the conference in attendance. FGCU will expand its athletics offerings with the addition of men's and women's soccer, as well as women's swimming and diving, for 2007-08.

“We are very excited about the opportunity to join the Atlantic Sun Conference†said FGCU Athletics Director Carl McAloose. “The A-Sun is an outstanding conference and we hope to continue their history of success and tradition. Joining the conference will afford us an opportunity to develop rivalries with quality schools around the southeast.â€Â

The Eagles will begin their re-classification with the 2007-08 season, playing full regular season conference schedules. With the addition of Florida Gulf Coast University, the Atlantic Sun increases its membership to 11 institutions that represent some of the best destination cities in the southeast as well as an intriguing blend of public and private institutions with a commitment to quality academics.

The 11-member league headquartered in Macon, Ga., consists of Belmont, Campbell, ETSU, Florida Gulf Coast, Gardner-Webb, Jacksonville, Kennesaw State, Lipscomb, Mercer, North Florida and Stetson.

http://www.atlanticsun.org/news/news.asp?newsId=842

[E.T.]

This school has really risen in a short time.

[DawgPound]

Their rise is faster than any school I've seen before.  They haven't even existed as a school for 10 years.

[SRQ]

Perfect location.  Ft. Myers/Naples area approaching 1 million pop. with no local major sports franchises and a fair drive to major metro areas.  Lots of $$$$, too.

[DawgPound]

Indeed.  I had a bunch of high school friends go that route since I was in Sarasota.

[Excalibur1318024930]

I have done some work for FGCU and I can tell you what they are building down there is something very special.  While their academic buildings are nothing to look at, they build their athletic facilities first rate.

[smazza]

Perfect location.  Ft. Myers/Naples area approaching 1 million pop. with no local major sports franchises and a fair drive to major metro areas.  Lots of $$$$, too.

this should be usf territory

i question the need for fgcu

[Sir Robert Peel]

this should be usf territory

i question the need for fgcu

I question, along with most on this board, the need for smazza.

[DawgPound]

FGCU has become the real university of South Florida as their location properly fits.  Gulf Coast is still an accurate name.

[SRQ]

this should be usf territory

i question the need for fgcu

This was USF territory at one time (USF-Ft Myers), but it was treated like the red-headed step child, so local legislators acted to change the situation.  The response has been phenominal!