Big South accepts Longwood

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Big South Conference has added Longwood University as a full member effective with the 2012-13 academic year.

Longwood’s addition increases the Big South membership to 12 institutions for the first time in league history.

Big South president Penelope Kyle says, “Longwood will be a tremendous addition to our conference, both athletically and academically.”

Longwood, located in Farmville, Va., sponsors 14 varsity sports at the Division I level, 13 of which are sponsored by the Big South — men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s tennis, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s golf, and women’s lacrosse.

The Big South Conference will now have four members based in Virginia. The others are Liberty, Radford and VMI.