MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Southern States Athletic Conference Board of Presidents unanimously approved the addition of Georgia Southern University – East Georgia Campus for full membership effective July 1, 2027, with competition beginning during the 2027-28 academic year.
Quick Facts
Location: Swainsboro, Ga.
Founded: 1973
Enrollment: 1966
Nickname: Golden Eagles
School Colors: Gold, Navy & White
President: Dr. Kyle Marrero
Athletics Director: Joe Heikkinen
2027-28 Sport Sponsorship: M&W Cross Country, M&W Basketball, Baseball and Softball
They Said It
Joe Heikkinen, Director of Athletics: " First and foremost, the Southern States Athletic Conference is one of the premier conferences in the NAIA, and being selected for membership says a great deal about the direction of our Golden Eagle athletic program. This is a proud moment for our East Georgia Campus and an important milestone for our student-athletes. Joining the SSAC gives our teams a stronger platform to challenge themselves, represent Georgia Southern University East Georgia Campus with pride and continue raising the standard for Golden Eagle athletics. I’m grateful for the coaches, staff and student-athletes whose hard work helped make this possible, and I’m excited about what this means for the future of our program.”
Dr. Kyle Marrero, President: “The addition of Georgia Southern University’s East Georgia Campus to the Southern States Athletic Conference represents a significant step forward for our athletics program and our students. As the Golden Eagles continue to build momentum, conference membership provides new opportunities for our student-athletes to compete at a high level while developing as leaders both on and off the field. This achievement reflects the dedication of our coaches, staff and students, and reinforces our commitment to excellence, community engagement and the continued growth of athletics on the East Georgia Campus.”
Mike Hall, SSAC Commissioner: “We are proud to welcome Georgia Southern University – East Georgia Campus as a full member of the SSAC beginning in 2027-28. Their addition continues to strengthen our conference’s presence in Georgia and adds another institution that is committed to academic and athletic excellence. We look forward to continuing working with Joe Heikkinen and the rest of their leadership team and seeing their student-athletes compete for championships and awards across the SSAC.”
About the SSAC
The SSAC is one of the premier NAIA conferences, founded in 1999, with 15 member institutions across Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. The Montgomery, Ala.-based conference sponsors 23 intercollegiate sports, culminating in 23 neutral-site conference championship events held annually throughout the Southeastern region of the United States.