Founded in 1975, the Sunshine State Conference has risen from a single sport organization to the Division II "Conference of National Champions." Since its inception, the conference has grown steadily in sports played, membership, and national prominence.
Sunshine State Conference schools have won NCAA national championships (135 total) in baseball, softball, men's and women's golf, men's and women's soccer, men's basketball, men's and women's lacrosse, women's rowing, men's and women's tennis, women's volleyball, and men's and women's swimming. SSC teams are nationally recognized annually in all league sports. The first NCAA Division II national championship was won by an SSC-sponsored school in the spring of 1978. The Florida Southern baseball team captured the national crown that year.
Over the last 10 years, the SSC has led all 24 Division II conferences in the NCAA Academic Success Rate. Each year, over 1,500 student-athletes are named to the Commissioner's Honor Roll with grade-point averages over 3.20 on a 4.00 scale. Following the 2025-24 academic year, SSC member institutions scored a Division II record with an 90% ASR.
The SSC, its member institutions, and student-athletes are actively involved in the Florida community through various initiatives. On a conference-wide basis, the SSC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee participates in annual community service projects and fundraising efforts.
SSC CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY
March 2, 1975 - A basketball conference exploration meeting is held at Florida Southern College in Lakeland. The primary purpose of the meeting is to discuss the formation of a NCAA Division II mid-Florida basketball conference.
March 16, 1975 - The second exploration meeting is held at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg. The name "Sunshine State Conference" is suggested by Dr. Calvin C. Miller and is adopted for league use. Norm Kaye of Saint Leo is named Interim Commissioner. Dr. Thomas B. Southard, president of Saint Leo College, is named as the first conference president. SSC Charter schools include:
- Biscayne College (now Saint Thomas University)
- Eckerd College
- Florida Southern College
- Florida Technological University (now the University of Central Florida)
- Rollins College
- Saint Leo College (now Saint Leo University)
June 1975 - Conference constitution adopted.
October 8, 1975 - The first meeting of the SSC is held in Orlando. Basketball regulations and league bylaws are revised and approved.
December 3, 1975 - Florida Southern defeats Eckerd, 96-84, in the first SSC basketball game played in Saint Petersburg.
April 8, 1976 - Dick Pace is named league commissioner. NCAA approves an automatic bid for SSC basketball champion. Golf and Tennis are added to the league for 1976-77, and baseball and soccer were added for 1977-78.
May 18, 1977 - First league postseason basketball championship.
February 1, 1981 - Norm Kaye of Saint Leo is appointed as Executive of SSC. Executive Committee is formed, consisting of league athletic directors.
July 1, 1981 - Florida Institute of Technology joined the Sunshine State Conference.
September 2, 1981 - The University of Tampa joins the Sunshine State Conference.
April 15, 1982 - League adopts women's competition in basketball, cross country, slow-pitch softball, tennis, and volleyball.
May 1, 1984 - The University of Central Florida (formerly Florida Technological University) withdraws from the conference. Women's fast-pitch softball was adopted for league play in 1985.
February 2, 1986 - Bob Vanatta, athletic director at Louisiana Tech University, is named as the league's first full-time commissioner.
June 13, 1988 - Barry University joins the conference.
November 1990 - Conference signs a two-year contract with the Sunshine Network for seven events.
February 11, 1991 - the University of North Florida joins the conference, effective July 1, 1992.
July 1, 1994 - Don Landry is named conference commissioner, and the conference relocates to Orlando.
November 22, 1994 - Conference announces a three-year deal to have a postseason basketball tournament at The Lakeland Center. The SSC will serve as host in 1996 and 1997.
December 1, 1994 - Sunshine Network announces a nine-event television package for the school year.
June 9, 1995 - Inaugural SSC Awards Luncheon held in Orlando.
February 29, 1996 - Inaugural SSC Hall of Fame/Honors banquet held in Lakeland.
September 30, 1996 - the University of North Florida withdraws from the Sunshine State Conference, effective June 30, 1997.
October 15, 1996 - Women's crew added to Sunshine State Conference sponsored sports.
December 18, 1996 - Lynn University joins the Sunshine State Conference, effective July 1, 1997.
July 15, 1998 - League adds women's soccer and women's golf as sponsored sports.
August 24, 1999 - Saint Leo College becomes Saint Leo University and adopts a new nickname ("Lions") and logo.
July 1, 2000 - 25th Anniversary of the Sunshine State Conference.
August 26, 2002 - Nova Southeastern University joins the Sunshine State Conference as a provisional member.
May 26, 2004 - Don Landry announced retirement as SSC Commissioner, effective August 1, 2004. Landry remained acting commissioner through September 6, 2004.
July 26, 2004 - Michael J. Marcil named SSC commissioner, effective September 7, 2004.
September 14, 2009 - Jay Jones officially begins duties as the SSC commissioner, replacing Mike Marcil, who left the post on June 30, 2009.
April 7, 2010 - League adds men's and women's swimming as a sponsored sport.
July 1, 2013 - League adds men's lacrosse as a sponsored sport.
February 3, 2014 - Ed Pasque officially begins duties as the SSC commissioner, replacing Jay Jones, who left the post on December 31, 2013.
July 1, 2014 - League adds women's lacrosse as a sponsored sport. - Palm Beach Atlantic University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University join Sunshine State Conference as provisional members.
September 1, 2014 - Conference office moves to Melbourne
June 2, 2015 - SSC programs set league-record with seven NCAA team national championships in 2014-15.
December 9, 2015 - Conference celebrates its history with "40 Great Moments" campaign
August 1, 2017 - Conference announces new brand identity that reflects its geography, future, and emphasis on academic and athletic excellence.
August 3, 2017 - Palm Beach Atlantic University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University join the Sunshine State Conference as full members.
September 1, 2017 - Launch of SSC Digital Network
June 8, 2019 - SSC programs tie league-record of seven NCAA team national championships in 2018-19.
December 13, 2023 - NCAA announces SSC as #1 in NCAA Division II acdemic success rates (89%), marking the 18th straight year the SSC has finished #1 or #2 in this measurement.
December 13, 2023 - Conference announces it will begin sponsoring beach volleyball, men's outdoor track, and women's outdoor track during the 2024-25 academic year, increasing the number of sports the league sponsors to 21.
September 30, 2024 - Ed Pasque resigns as commissioner. He was the longest serving commissioner in SSC history.
October 1, 2024 - Maryanne Simkulak named Acting Commissioner.
November 21, 2024 - SSC sets NCAA Division II Academic Success Rate record of 90-percent.
June 8, 2025 - SSC programs claimed a league-record eight NCAA team national championships in 2024-25, making the SSC the first NCAA Division II conference in 30 years to accomplish the milestone.
July 1, 2025 - Chris Graham officially begins duties as the SSC commissioner.
December 3, 2025 - 50th anniversary of the SSC's first contest.
SSC HISTORICAL OVERVIEW 1975-2023 (PDF)
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SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE MEMBER INSTITUTIONS
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Barry University
Location: Miami Shores, Fla.
Nickname: Buccaneers
Joined SSC: 1988
Enrollment: 8,500
Founded: 1940
Colors: Red, Black, and Silver
President: Dr. Mike Allen
Athletic Director: Dr. Scott Smith
Senior Woman Administrator/Assistant AD: Jannelle Iaquinto
Faculty Athletics Representative: Dr. Kathy Ludwig
Director of Athletic Communications: Dennis Jezek, Jr.
Athletic Website: GoBarryBucs.com
Twitter: @GoBarryBucs
Instagram: GoBarryBucs
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Location: St. Petersburg, Fla.
Nickname: Tritons
Joined SSC: 1975 (Charter Member)
Enrollment: 1,840
Founded: 1958
Colors: Teal, Navy, and White
President: Dr. James Annarelli
Athletic Director: Tom Ryan
Senior Woman Administrator/Associate AD: Becky Clark
Faculty Athletics Representative: Dr. Anthony Brunello
Assistant AD of Marketing and Communications: Amanda Green
Athletic Website: eckerdtritons.com
Twitter: @ECTritons
Instagram: eckerdtritons
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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Location: Daytona Beach, Fla.
Nickname: Eagles
Joined SSC: 2017
Enrollment: 7,506
Founded: 1926
Colors: Royal Blue and Gold
President: Dr. P. Barry Butler
Athletic Director: Rachel Burleson
Senior Woman Administrator/Associate AD: Mea Felps-Darley
Faculty Athletic Representative: Dr. Jennifer Hinebaugh
Director of Athletic Communications: Alison Smalling
Athletic Website: erauathletics.com/
Twitter: @ERAUAthletics
Instagram: erauathletics
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Florida Southern College
Location: Lakeland, Fla.
Nickname: Moccasins
Joined SSC: 1975 (Charter Member)
Enrollment: 1,935
Founded: 1883
Colors: Red and White
President: Dr. Jermey P. Martin
Athletic Director: Drew Howard
Senior Woman Administrator/Associate AD: Jill Stephens
Faculty Athletic Representative: TBA
Assistant AD for Athletic Communications: Brad Bee
Athletic Website: fscmocs.com
Twitter: @FSC_Mocs
Instagram: fsc_mocs
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Florida Tech
Location: Melbourne, Fla.
Nickname: Panthers
Joined SSC: 1981
Enrollment: 16,000
Founded: 1958
Colors: Crimson and Gray
President: Dr. John Nicklow
Athletic Director: Jamie Joss
Senior Woman Administrator/Deputy AD: Jen Mercurio
Associate AD of External Operations & Communications: Christina Hardman
Faculty Athletic Representative: Dr. Nikki Souris
Athletic Website: floridatechsports.com
Twitter: @FLTechAthletics
Instagram: floridatech_athletics
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Lynn University
Location: Boca Raton, Fla.
Nickname: Fighting Knights
Joined SSC: 1997
Enrollment: 2,010
Founded: 1962
Colors: Royal Blue and White
President: Dr. Kevin M. Ross
Athletic Director: Kathy Kroupa
Senior Woman Administrator: Sarah Fraska
Faculty Athletic Representative: Diane Dicerbo
Director of Athletic Communications: Miller McGhin
Athletic Website: lynnfightingknights.com
Twitter: @Lynn_Knights
Instagram: lynn_knights
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Nova Southeastern University
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Nickname: Sharks
Joined SSC: 2002
Enrollment: 29,154
Founded: 1964
Colors: Navy and Gray
President: Dr. Harry K. Moon
Interim Director of Athletics: Ryan Romero
Senior Woman Administrator/Associate AD: TBA
Faculty Athletic Representative: Dr. Elizabeth Swann
Manager of Athletic Communications: Jon Leatherman
Athletic Website: nsusharks.com
Twitter: @NSUsharks
Instagram: nsusharks
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Palm Beach Atlantic University
Location: West Palm Beach, Fla.
Nickname: Sailfish
Joined SSC: 2017
Enrollment: 3,918
Founded: 1968
Colors: Navy Blue and White
President: Dr. Debra A. Schwinn
Athletic Director & Senior Woman Administrator: Courtney Lovely Evans
Faculty Athletic Representative: Dr. Timothy Ladd
Assistant AD of Athletic Communications: Cole Helman
Athletic Website: pbasailfish.com
Twitter: @PBAsailfish
Instagram: pbasailfish
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Rollins College
Location: Winter Park, Fla.
Nickname: Tars
Joined SSC: 1975 (Charter Member)
Enrollment: 2,946
Founded: 1885
Colors: Blue and Gold
President: Dr. Grant H. Cornwell
Athletic Director: Pennie Parker
Senior Woman Administrator/Associate AD: Dr. Margie Sullivan
Faculty Athletic Representative: Dr. Mike Gunter
Director of Athletic Communications: Phil Chinnery
Athletic Website: rollinssports.com
Twitter: @RollinsSports
Instagram: rollinssports
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Saint Leo University
Location: Saint Leo, Fla.
Nickname: Lions
Joined SSC: 1975 (Charter Member)
Enrollment: 14,000
Founded: 1889
Colors: Green and Gold
President: Dr. Edward Dadez
Athletic Director: Marcal Lazenby
Senior Woman Administrator/Associate AD: Dawn Boltin
Faculty Athletic Representative: Frank Orlando
Director of Athletic Communications: Jon Glass
Athletic Website: saintleolions.com
Twitter: @saintleolions
Instagram: saintleolions
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University of Tampa
Location: Tampa, Fla.
Nickname: Spartans
Joined SSC: 1981
Enrollment: 9,304
Founded: 1931
Colors: Red, Black, and Gold
President: Dr. Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg
Athletic Director: Larry Marfise
Senior Woman Administrator/Assistant AD: Jennifer Alger
Faculty Athletic Representative: Dr. Jay Jisha
Assistant AD/Communications: Tom Kolbe
Athletic Website: tampaspartans.com
Twitter: @tampaspartans
Instagram: tampaspartans
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Membership Timeline
1975 - Conference is established with six founding members: Biscayne College, Eckerd College, Florida Southern College, Florida Technological University, Rollins College, and Saint Leo College
1981 - Florida Tech and the University of Tampa join
1984 - Florida Technological University withdraws
1987 - Biscayne College withdraws
1988 - Barry University joins
1991 - University of North Florida joins
1996 - University of North Florida withdraws, Lynn University joins
2002 - Nova Southeastern joins as provisional members
2014 - Palm Beach Atlantic University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University join as provisional members
2017 - Palm Beach Atlantic University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University join Sunshine State Conference as full members.