Pikeville, Ky. – The Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Council of Presidents voted unanimously to approve the University of Pikeville (UPIKE) for full membership earlier this week. UPIKE will transition to compete in the conference beginning in the fall of 2023.
 
"We are so excited to have a great school like Pikeville join the AAC," said Bill Popp, Commissioner of the AAC. "They bring strong competitive sports, great students, and outstanding administrators and leadership to an already very strong group of similar schools."
 
UPIKE becomes the third AAC member from Kentucky, joined by Kentucky Christian and Union College, and keeps the conference at 16 full members. University of the Cumberlands and Georgetown College also maintains affiliate membership within the AAC.
 
"I am beyond thrilled that UPIKE will be joining the Appalachian Athletic Conference," said Kelly Wells, UPIKE Director of Athletics. "We are thankful to the AAC Council of Presidents, AAC Athletic Directors, AAC Administrative Staff, and Commissioner Bill Popp for the opportunity to become a member."
 
UPIKE has competed in the Mid-South Conference since the 2000-01 academic season and will transition to full membership in the AAC to start the 2023-24 season. University and athletic administration are confident the move will enrich the student-athlete experience.
 
"The transition away from the Mid-South Conference was not an easy one. However, we believe that competing in a conference that is situated closer to home with Appalachian institutions is a better fit for the University of Pikeville," said Dr. Burton Webb, UPIKE President. "The shorter distances to competitions across the entirety of the year will result in fewer missed classes and better outcomes for our student-athletes."
 
UPIKE sponsors 26 varsity sports, with 21 to compete in the AAC. The Bears will compete in the following AAC championship sports: baseball, men's basketball, women's basketball, men's cross country, women's cross country, football, men's golf, women's golf, men's soccer, women's soccer, softball, men's tennis, women's tennis, men's indoor track & field, women's indoor track & field, men's outdoor track & field, women's outdoor track & field, women's volleyball, men's wrestling, men's swimming, and women's swimming.
 
The Bears also compete in men's bowling, women's bowling, archery, cheer, dance, and esports.
 
"It is our goal to ensure we are best positioned and student-athlete focused," Wells added. "We also have a responsibility always to evaluate potential opportunities and be willing to make changes when needed. Ultimately, the AAC is the best home for UPIKE and Bear Athletics. We are excited that our values align with the league's member institutions, and we will benefit from the conference's stability, location, and strength."
 
The conference transition represents another milestone in the rich history of UPIKE athletics. Pikeville College began fielding intercollegiate sports in the early 1920s, with programs like men's and women's basketball, men's tennis, and baseball establishing the groundwork for what was to come. Since then, the department has evolved to become a robust collective of 26 varsity sports competing in the NAIA.
 
Competition began in the Kentucky Junior College circuit, where the Bears competed for nearly 30 years before joining the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Association (KIAC) in 1958. The Bears entered the Mid-South Conference in 2000 and now prepare for the next chapter as a member of the AAC.
 
Since beginning official intercollegiate competition, the Bears have won 10 national championships through the NAIA, USA Archery, United States Bowling Congress (USBC), and Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA). In addition, the Bears have championed over 20 conference tournaments between the KIAC and MSC.
 
UPIKE quick facts:

• Founded: 1889
• Enrollment: 2,334
• President: Dr. Burton Webb
• Mascot: Bears
• Colors: Orange, Gray, and Black
• Institution website: www.UPIKE.eduAthletic website: www.UPIKEbears.com

 
The AAC evolved from the Volunteer State Athletic Conference (VSAC), an NAIA conference organized in the 1940s and dissolved in the early 1980s when institutions in the eastern part of the state seceded to form the Tennessee Virginia Athletic Conference (TVAC). The Conference name changed to the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) in 2001 with the addition of Bluefield College, Montreat College, Alice Lloyd College, and Union College.
 
Today, the AAC is the largest conference in the NAIA, with 16 full members in six southeastern states – Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The conference will have 12 affiliate members for the 2023-24 season spreading the league's footprint to two additional states – West Virginia and Florida.
 
In 2023-24, the full members will be Bluefield University, Brenau University, Bryan College, Columbia College, Columbia International University, Johnson University, Kentucky Christian University, Milligan University, Montreat College, University of Pikeville, Point University, Reinhardt University, SCAD Atlanta, St. Andrews University, Tennessee Wesleyan University, Truett McConnell University, and Union College. The affiliate members will be Brewton-Parker College, Georgetown College, Keiser University, Life University, Point University, SCAD Savannah, Southeastern University, St. Thomas University, University of the Cumberlands, Warner University, Webber International University, and West Virginia Institute of Technology.