STATE OF THE CONFERENCES--PART 1

D-II South Sports begins its fall sports preview with the state of the three conferences the website covers. First up: the Gulf South Conference.

GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE--http://www.gulfsouthconference.org

2006-07 MEMBERSHIP (15 Schools)

EAST DIVISION

University of Alabama-Huntsville

University of Montevallo (Ala.)

University of North Alabama

Valdosta State University (Ga.)

University of West Alabama

University of West Florida

University of West Georgia

WEST DIVISION

University of Arkansas at Monticello

Arkansas Tech University

Christian Brothers University (Tenn.)

Delta State University (Miss.)

Harding University (Ark.)

Henderson State University (Ark.)

Ouachita Baptist University (Ark.)

Southern Arkansas University

Analysis: The fact that the University of Central Arkansas has left for the NCAA Division I ranks during the off-season came as no surprise to anyone who follows the GSC. But the sudden departure of Lincoln Memorial University (Tenn.) for the South Atlantic Conference did surprise many people. Then again, though, the long trips to far-flung places such as Valdosta, Ga., Pensacola, Fla., and Livingston, Ala. no doubt proved to be a factor in LMU's decision to switch conferences. Could the defection of Central Arkansas and Lincoln Memorial create a domino effect in terms in other schools, most notably North Alabama, West Florida, and West Georgia, possibly looking elsewhere? We'll wait and see.