JACKSON, Miss. –Belhaven University officially begins its membership in the American Southwest Conference today, a part of the Athletic Department's transition to NCAA Division III membership.
 
Belhaven, who will begin transition to NCAA Division III membership on September 1, joins the ASC from the Southern States Athletic Conference and Mid-South Conference (football), both members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
 
"I'm thrilled we have reached the start of American Southwest Conference membership. We could not have a better new home than the ASC," said Belhaven President Dr. Roger Parrott. "The character of the schools and the commitment to student-athletes blends seamlessly with Belhaven's priorities.
 
"I admire how deeply engaged presidents are in leading the conference, and am impressed with the depth of leadership from our commissioner as well. I know Belhaven will gain much through this new conference affiliation."
 
Belhaven Athletics will bring 17 intercollegiate athletics programs, including baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, football, men's golf, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field, and volleyball to the American Southwest Conference.
 
"Strategic conference affiliation is at the heart of successful intercollegiate athletics," said Scott Little, Belhaven Director of Athletics. "The American Southwest Conference is a perfect fit for us as we launch into NCAA Division III membership. Commissioner Amy Carlton and our colleagues across the ASC have been both welcoming and helpful as we prepared for this day to arrive. Our student-athletes will have a great environment for competition and growth."
 
Throughout the membership transition, Belhaven student-athletes are eligible for academics-based honors and participation with ASC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee activities with coaches and staff engaged in ASC meetings and governance issues.
 
"Various administrative and coaching committees have spent the past 16 months preparing for Belhaven to begin its ASC membership and move to NCAA Division III, and we are looking forward to the competition and collegiality the University brings to our conference," said Amy Carlton, ASC commissioner.
 
Belhaven University stands among select Christian colleges and universities and has been repeatedly named one of "America's 100 Best College Buys." The University offers 30 academic majors across a full spectrum of disciplines as well as a variety of graduate programs.
 
In addition, Belhaven has achieved the distinction of being among only 30 universities nationally accredited in each of the major arts – music, theatre, visual art and dance. All programs are taught from a Christian worldview perspective and are guided by the mission to prepare students academically and spiritually to serve Christ Jesus in their careers, in human relationships, and in the world of ideas.
 
Belhaven University serves over 4,200 students offering undergraduate and graduate degrees on its residential campus, an online degree program, and graduate and adult degree programs in Jackson, Memphis, Orlando, Houston, Chattanooga and Atlanta.
 
American Southwest Conference
The American Southwest Conference is an NCAA Division III member conference with a mission to put student-athletes first and provide them unparalleled opportunities to learn important values, compete at a high level in a friendly environment and develop as future citizens and leaders. ASC member institutions believe that athletics should be integrated with other learning, and the membership is committed to furthering the philosophy and policies of NCAA Division III.
 
The American Southwest Conference sponsors championships in 16 intercollegiate programs in eight men's and eight women's sports. Over its 20-year existence, member institutions have collectively won seven Division III team titles and several individual national championships. Conference and NCAA resources provide student-athletes, coaches and administrators access to academic, leadership, sportsmanship and career enhancement opportunities.
 
Membership in the conference includes Belhaven University, Concordia University Texas, East Texas Baptist University, Hardin-Simmons University, Howard Payne University, LeTourneau University, Louisiana College, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, McMurry University, University of the Ozarks, Sul Ross State University, University of Texas at Dallas and University of Texas at Tyler.