Liberty Men’s Soccer Team to join the Southern Conference in 2026

Spartanburg, S.C. – The Southern Conference has announced the addition of the Liberty University Men’s Soccer team to the conference beginning in the 2026 season.

"We warmly and heartily welcome Liberty University to the Southern Conference as an associate member in men's soccer. Liberty brings a tradition of athletic and academic commitment which aligns perfectly with the history and values of the SoCon,” said Southern Conference Commissioner Michael Cross. “Their addition strengthens our men's soccer standing nationally, provides another rival within our geographic footprint, and offers exciting new competitive opportunities for our member institutions. We look forward to Liberty joining us on the pitch in 2026 and contributing to the SoCon’s rich soccer tradition." 

The addition of Liberty's Men's Soccer reinforces the league's recently announced approach to the changing landscape of college sports (Southern Conference Announces Plan in Anticipation of NCAA Settlement). The addition of the Flames upholds the SoCon’s commitment to the tag line “It’s All Here” which encompasses the leagues identity within the NCAA landscape including a tight geographic footprint in the southeast, unity among its institutions, opportunity both in the classroom and as athletes, and authenticity as a competitive league focused on the student athlete experience. 

“We are grateful to our Liberty Administration to allow us to find a new conference home in the well-respected Southern Conference,” said Flames head coach Kelly Findley. “Joining the SoCon is a strategic step that aligns with our vision for sustained growth and competitiveness, and we are eager to test ourselves and continue striving for excellence on and off the field.” 

“The Liberty men’s soccer program is a great addition to our league”, said UNCG Men’s Soccer coach Chris Rich. “As a smaller league, in size, with only six teams, we clearly needed to explore adding associate members, but it’s essential that we only do so if it makes our league better. Liberty will do that. They fit our league geographically, have a great facility, and are very well coached with Kelly Findley. Getting us to seven teams also fixes the issue of having an unbalanced conference schedule, so we will now be balanced with three home and three away.” 

The Flames went 7-7-3 overall and 4-4-2 in the Ohio Valley Conference last season. Liberty previously competed in the Big South where they made NCAA Tournament appearances in 2007 and 2011. 

“We appreciate Commissioner Michael Cross and the SoCon membership affording Liberty men’s soccer with this opportunity,” said Liberty Vice President and Director of Athletics Ian McCaw. “The SoCon will provide us with quality regional competition and a reduction in travel and missed class time.” 

For more information on Southern Conference Men’s Soccer please visit soconsports.com/msoc. 

About Southern Conference 
The Southern Conference, headquartered in Spartanburg, S.C., includes ten member institutions across six states: The Citadel, East Tennessee State University, Furman University, Mercer University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Samford University, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Virginia Military Institute, Western Carolina University, and Wofford College.  

About Liberty University 
Liberty University, founded in 1971, is the world’s premier Christian university, one of the largest private, nonprofit universities in the nation, and the largest university in Virginia. Located near the Blue Ridge Mountains on over 7,000 acres in Lynchburg, Va., Liberty offers more than 700 unique programs of study from the certificate to the doctoral level. Over 600 programs are offered online. Utilizing its world-class infrastructure and Christian faculty, Liberty’s mission is to Train Champions for Christ with the values, knowledge, and skills essential for impacting tomorrow’s world.