Photo by Dave Hilbert, d3photography.com

Ferrum announced that it has accepted a bid to join Conference Carolinas and will hope to join NCAA Division II in 2025. Ferrum president Mirta Martin said "we are honored to receive this invitation, and excited to find a home with Conference Carolinas."

Originally a two-year junior college founded in 1913, Ferrum transitioned into a sports powerhouse that grew to a four-year college and joined Division III in the 1984-85 academic year. The Panthers joined the Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in 1986-87, which became the USA South Athletic Conference in February 2003. Then in the 2018-19 academic year, Ferrum moved to the ODAC.

The school will have to formally apply to the NCAA for Division II membership in February 2025.

Ferrum will become the 16th full time institution to join the CC. As of now the Panthers will be the only school in the state of Virginia. Members include those from North Carolina (Barton, Belmont-Abbey, Chowan, Lees-McRae, Mount Olive and UNC Pembroke), South Carolina (Converse, Erskine, Francis Marion, North Greenville and Southern Wesleyan) Georgia (Emanuel and Young Harris) and Tennessee (King). Shorter University (South Carolina) will be a full time member in the 2024-25 Academic Year.

"We are excited about this historic announcement for Conference Carolinas," Commissioner Chris Colvin said. "The ability to be able to align with an institution like Ferrum College that perfectly fits with our conference beliefs and values, while also being a first-class institution with a unique commitment to a strong athletics program, is truly special. Our overall goal in Conference Carolinas is always to continue to make our conference stronger, and Ferrum's addition to our league allows us to accomplish this while also furthering our commitment to football and our three-division model in certain sports."

In the 2024-25 academic year the CC will be the sole sponsor of 25 sports and offer up to 29 sports with the addition of football in the 2025-26 academic year. 

"It also offers Ferrum College the opportunity to open new avenues for growth and success on and off the field in a values-based culture," said Martin. "This transformative initiative encompasses several key components, each designed to propel Ferrum College to new heights of distinction, service and impact. Central to our mission is the holistic development and well-being of every student."

The addition of Ferrum will also allow Conference Carolinas to expand its football membership to seven teams with the official return of football to the league in the 2025-26 academic year. Conference Carolinas football will feature Barton, Chowan, Erskine, Ferrum, UNC Pembroke, North Greenville and Shorter in the 2025 season.

"As we embark on this new chapter in our athletic journey, I am confident that our transition to Division II will not only enhance the competitiveness of our programs but also strengthen the sense of pride and unity within our Ferrum community", said Showalter.

PROJECTED TIMELINE OF TRANSITION FROM NCAA DIVISION III TO NCAA DIVISION III
March 2024 - Board of Trustees Approves Proposal to seek membership in Division II 
April 2024 - Potential Invite to join Conference Carolinas
February 2025 - Application to NCAA
Summer 2025 - Official Approval from NCAA into D-II
Fall 2025 - Begin D-II competition in CC
July 2027 - permanent membership into CC