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  • Tennessee Tech Leaving The OVC After 76 Years To Join The SoCon In 2026

Tennessee Tech Leaving The OVC After 76 Years To Join The SoCon In 2026

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Football

(BCSNN) — Tennessee Tech University has announced that it will leave the Ohio Valley Conference after the 2025–26 academic year and join the Southern Conference (SoCon) beginning July 1, 2026. The move ends a 76-year affiliation with the OVC and marks a significant shift for the Golden Eagles’ athletic programs, particularly football.

“This historic move changes the trajectory of our athletic aspirations and makes a statement to our campus and our community,” said Tennessee Tech athletic director Casey Fox. “Tech sports will be a part of a vibrant conference with new geographic rivalries.” The SoCon will expand to 11 full members with Tech’s arrival, joining in-state rivals East Tennessee State and Chattanooga, along with Furman, Mercer, Samford, and others.

The Golden Eagles football program, which captured a share of the OVC-Big South Football Association title in 2024 and enters the 2025 season ranked in the FCS preseason Top 25, is expected to be a competitive addition to the SoCon. The move places Tech in a league widely regarded as one of the premier FCS conferences, with a history of producing national contenders and NFL talent.

Tennessee Tech President Phil Oldham cited geographic alignment and student engagement as key factors in the decision. “The states with SoCon teams fit the footprint of our students and alumni,” Oldham said. “Beyond that, our students and fans will have a chance to be a part of new rivalries and traditions that can create lifetime memories.”

The transition will affect 14 of Tech’s 15 varsity sports, with beach volleyball remaining independent. The university has won 85 conference titles since joining the OVC in 1949, including 11 in football and 19 in women’s basketball. SoCon Commissioner Michael Cross praised Tech’s academic and athletic profile, calling the school “a championship-caliber addition.”

As college athletics continues to evolve, Tennessee Tech’s move reflects a broader trend of realignment and strategic positioning. With enhanced competition, regional rivalries, and a renewed commitment to excellence, the Golden Eagles are poised to enter a new era in the Southern Conference.