COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The Southern Conference has added East Tennessee, Mercer and VMI to the league.
The conference said Thursday that East Tennessee and Mercer accepted invitations while VMI’s addition must be ratified Friday by the school’s Board of Visitors, something considered a formality. East Tennessee and VMI had been part of the league previously. East Tennessee and Mercer join after being in the Atlantic Sun Conference. VMI had been part of the Big South Conference.
All three are expected to join in July 2014.
The SoCon has been one of the most plundered leagues recently with five schools choosing to leave.
League Commissioner John Iamarino says the new additions solidify the future of the conference. The three new members give the league 10 teams for the 2014-15 academic year.
