Andrew College Joins Appalachian Athletic Conference

Staff Reports

CUTHBERT — Andrew College has been approved to join the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC), a move that marks another major step in the institution’s transition to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

The AAC Council of Presidents approved Andrew’s membership during its annual meeting on June 5. The college will become a football affiliate member alongside Faulkner University of Alabama.

AAC Commissioner Bill Popp said the conference is excited to welcome both institutions as it continues to expand its football footprint.

“We are so excited to add both Faulkner University and Andrew College to the AAC football family,” Popp said in a statement. “Both fit the mission of the AAC and help us continue to grow football in a positive way and help to create a very competitive environment for all of our teams.”

With the addition of Andrew and Faulkner, the conference will feature nine football-playing institutions beginning with the 2027 season. The league’s football membership will include Bluefield University (Virginia), Kentucky Christian University, the University of Pikeville (Kentucky), Point University, Reinhardt University, the University of Rio Grande (Ohio), Union Commonwealth University (Kentucky), Andrew College and Faulkner.

The AAC began sponsoring football as a championship sport in 2022 and has experienced steady growth since its inaugural season. Reinhardt has dominated the league during that span, winning or sharing each of the conference’s four football championships, including a shared title with Pikeville in 2024.

For Andrew College, the conference invitation represents another milestone as the school prepares to officially join the NAIA on July 1. The move is expected to provide the Tigers with a more stable competitive home and expanded opportunities as the athletic department continues its transition to four-year athletics competition.

Andrew College officials view the AAC membership as an important piece of the institution’s long-term athletic growth strategy as it prepares for the next chapter in the school’s athletic history.