MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Southern States Athletic Conference announced a partnership with the Sun Conference to add men’s wrestling as a championship sport beginning in 2026-27. 
 
Competing Teams: Andrew, Brewton-Parker Christian, Life, Keiser, New College of Florida, Southeastern, St. Thomas
 
The 2027 championship will take place Feb. 20 at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala. The championship will be held in Montgomery for two years before moving to Florida for two years to be closer to the Sun Conference schools. The two leagues have partnered for several other championships, including men’s and women’s swimming and men’s and women’s indoor track & field.
 
Mike Hall, SSAC Commissioner: “Adding men’s wrestling as a championship sport is an exciting opportunity for the SSAC and our member institutions. We appreciate the continued partnership with The Sun Conference and the chance to work together again to provide a strong championship experience for our student-athletes. With the quality of programs involved, this has the chance to immediately become one of the top wrestling conferences in the NAIA.”
 
Dustin Wilke, Sun Conference Commissioner: “The Sun Conference has long valued its tremendous partnership with the SSAC, and this collaborative effort to sponsor men’s wrestling represents another meaningful step forward in that relationship. This venture will create a mutually beneficial opportunity for student-athletes and member institutions from both conferences, and we are excited to be part of what will immediately become a highly competitive and entertaining wrestling conference.”
 
Life and Southeastern finished the year ranked second and third in the final 2026 NAIA Men’s Wrestling Rating, while Keiser came in at No. 19 and Brewton-Parker Christian and St. Thomas both received votes.