MIAMI, Fla. – The Sun Conference announced on Thursday the addition of four affiliate members in beach volleyball. The University of Mobile, St. Andrews University, Truett McConnell University, and William Carey University will compete in Sun Conference beach volleyball action starting the 2022 season. 

“We are excited to welcome these four new affiliate members to our conference and thankful to the leadership of the respective institutions in working to make this happen,” Sun Conference Commissioner Dustin Wilke said. “Each institution adds great value and allows us to strengthen what is already a highly competitive Beach Volleyball conference.”  

The four new additions will join current Sun members Ave Maria, Florida Memorial, Southeastern, St. Thomas, Warner, and Webber International to bring the total number of competing schools to 10 in 2022. 

The Sun Conference kicked off its inaugural season in 2021 with Florida Memorial claiming the league’s first title in a 3-1 victory over Webber International in Babson Park, Florida. (3/27/21).    

Sun Conference Beach Volleyball Affiliate Members 

University of Mobile – The Rams played their inaugural season in 2021, competing in six matches. Mobile is under the direction of Jon Campbell, who started the Rams indoor program in 2005.  

St. Andrews University – The SAU Knights competed in 14 matches during the program’s inaugural season in 2021. The Knights are led by Tessa Smith, who entered her first year as head coach last season.    

Truett McConnell University – The Bears will begin their first year of competition this season after the school announced the addition of beach volleyball last January. TMU will be led by Director of Volleyball Mark Corbin. 

William Carey University – The Lady Crusaders wrapped up their third season of competition in 2021, going 6-2. WCU is coached by Kelsea Seymour Weldon, who has been at the helm since the program began. 

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MIAMI, Fla. – Southeastern’s Donnie Smith has been named the 2020-21 Sun Conference Sports Information Director of the Year the league announced on Tuesday as voted on by the league’s 11 SIDs. 

“I’m incredibly proud of the work our team did this year and the high standard we held ourselves to as we told the stories of our student-athletes,” Smith said. “In a year like we just experienced, having high-quality people that are great team players makes all the difference. Andrew Tew, our assistant SID, was a huge part of our success especially when it came to social media and our live broadcasts, and the group of graduate assistants, and interns we had this year made handling the many challenges of the year much easier. Thank you to my peers in The Sun Conference for this honor and to the administration at Southeastern for making the resources needed to be successful available to us.” 

“Donnie has continued to show over the past year why he is one of the very best at his craft in all of college athletics,” Sun Conference Commissioner Dustin Wilke said. “His work ethic, knowledge, and expertise have a positive impact on everyone that is around him. We are fortunate to have him as a part of our conference and this honor certainly reflects that.” 

During the 2020-2021 school year, Smith was vital in the promotion of the Fire’s 13 NAIA National Championship team appearances and four NAIA national championships titles. He oversaw a staff that highlighted SEU winning 12 Sun Conference crowns (both regular season and tournament) and provided media coverage and services for an athletic department that achieved 73 weekly conference awards, 192 all-conference selections, five Champions of Character recipients, 11 conference players of the year, and 51 NAIA All-American placements. The Fire hosted four conference championships and three NAIA opening rounds during the year. 

Smith’s work with the Fire Network has also been a driving force for Southeastern and Sun Conference’s increased exposure on the digital network front.  

“Looking at the Southeastern athletic website and tuning into many of our game broadcasts, anyone can see that Donnie is at the top of his profession at any level,” Southeastern Director of Athletics Drew Watson said. “What people do not see is his tireless work ethic, attention to detail, and the sacrifices he regularly makes for our student-athletes and coaches. I could not be more proud of him for this accomplishment.” 

The two-time Sun Conference SID of the Year (2017 & 2021) was also named the NAIA National Sports Information Director of the Year in 2017. Smith has been part of the NAIA-Sports Information Directors Board since 2017 and currently serves as First Vice President. He is also a member of the NAIA’s Council for Student-Athletes. 

Smith will be put forward by the league, along with Watson (SUN Athletic Director of the Year) and B.J. Geasa (SUN Athletic Trainer of the Year), in consideration for the respective NAIA National Awards that will be announced in mid-September. 

2020-2021 Sun Conference Award Winners
Donnie Smith (Southeastern) – Sun Conference Sports Information Director of the Year 
B.J. Geasa (Southeastern) – Sun Conference Athletic Trainer of the Year
Drew Watson (Southeastern) – Sun Conference Athletic Director of the Year

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MIAMI, Fla. – The Sun Conference unveiled on Monday a new brand identity featuring a redesign of the league’s primary logo, the creation of secondary, tertiary, and word marks as well as school-specific primary marks. The new visual identities were developed through a partnership with the Enliven Agency, LLC.   
 
“We are proud to present the new identity for the Sun Conference,” Sun Conference Commissioner Dustin Wilke said. “It acknowledges our rich history but also signifies our evolution into a new era of the Sun Conference, which offers limitless opportunity. Our new brand identity is the culminating result of an extensive analysis into the core of who we are as a conference and who we strive to be. These marks serve to capture the character of the conference and the ideals that define us. Leadership. Unity. Integrity. Excellence. Diversity. Strength. Respect. Confidence. Opportunity.”

Through the development of its new brand, the Sun Conference sought to create an identity that would point the conference towards the future and reflect its position as the nation’s leading NAIA Conference.
 
To deliver on this strategic design objective the new brand identity utilizes a bold, angular typeface that conveys excellence, confidence and power. To add to this, the conference’s regionality is brought to life through the sun rays that combine to create the dynamic ‘C’ with gold and orange tones that further celebrate the Sun Conference’s distinct geography. Finally, the new brand is anchored by a unique primary slate color which enables the Sun Conference to stand apart as a modern and forward-thinking leader within collegiate athletics.

Along with the new conference logos, the project also developed a new color palette and typography as well as updated, sport-specific championship marks.  

The new branding is the first for the conference since August 2008 when the league changed its name from the Florida Sun Conference to the Sun Conference.

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