Augusta University Athletics Navigate Conference Shift, Top-10 Basketball Ranking

Augusta University athletics opens its season with the men's and women's golf programs competing as affiliate members of the West Coast Conference after departing the Southland Conference for the 2025-26 academic year. This affiliation change positions the programs for a new competitive landscape while the rest of the department remains anchored in the Peach Belt Conference.

Conference Affiliation Update

The golf programs' move to the West Coast Conference as affiliates marks a notable adjustment for the 2025-26 academic year. Augusta University fields 13 NCAA Division II varsity sports overall, with primary membership in the Peach Belt Conference that covers baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. The golf shift affects only those two teams and leaves the balance of the schedule intact within existing conference structures.

Preseason Basketball Outlook

The men's basketball team enters the year ranked No. 10 in the preseason NCAA Division II men's rankings released by College Basketball Nation. This placement provides an early benchmark for a program that competes within the Peach Belt Conference. The ranking reflects preparation ahead of conference play and non-conference matchups that define the early portion of the schedule.

Program Scope and Recent Results

Augusta University's full athletic roster spans 13 varsity sports and draws on facilities and competition venues typical of NCAA Division II institutions. The men's golf team closed its prior season with a 10th-place finish at the National Golf Invitational held at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club. The women's basketball team reached the Peach Belt Conference Tournament championship game after an 82-71 victory over nationally ranked Columbus State on March 7. These outcomes supply context for expectations entering the current cycle.

Coaches and athletes now focus on integrating the new golf conference schedule while maintaining Peach Belt Conference commitments across the remaining sports. The department continues standard operations that include training, recruiting, and preparation for both conference and national events without additional announced changes at this stage.