Editing Gulf South Conference (section)

===2010s realignment===
[[File:Gulf South Conference cities.png|thumb|Map of GSC school locations (pre-2024)]]

Beginning with the 2011–12 academic year; Arkansas Tech University, University of Arkansas at Monticello, Harding University, Henderson State University, Ouachita Baptist University, and Southern Arkansas University left the GSC to form the [[Great American Conference]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Pickle|first=David|work=NCAA.com|publisher=National Collegiate Athletic Association|url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/ncaa/2011-03-09/gac-becomes-23rd-dii-conference|title=GAC becomes 23rd DII conference|date=March 9, 2011|access-date=April 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111222003323/http://www.ncaa.com/news/ncaa/2011-03-09/gac-becomes-23rd-dii-conference|archive-date=December 22, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[University of New Orleans]], which was transitioning from Division I to Division II, was accepted into the conference in June 2011,<ref>{{cite web|title=GSC Admits UNO for Conference Membership|url=http://www.gulfsouthconference.org/news/2011/6/21/GEN_0621114112.aspx|access-date=June 22, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927024710/http://www.gulfsouthconference.org/news/2011/6/21/GEN_0621114112.aspx|archive-date=September 27, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> but the school announced intentions to stay at Division I in March 2012.<ref name=UNO-DI>{{cite web|last=Daniels|first=Ed|title=UNO Athletics to remain Division I in NCAA|url=http://www.sportsnola.com/sports/uno/582044-uno-athletics-to-remain-division-i.html|publisher=SportsNOLA.com|access-date=March 7, 2012|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516222019/http://www.sportsnola.com/sports/uno/582044-uno-athletics-to-remain-division-i.html|archive-date=May 16, 2012}}</ref> In July 2011, [[Shorter University]] and [[Union University]] (Jackson, Tenn.) were accepted into the NCAA and began the multi-year transition process from the [[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics|NAIA]] to [[NCAA]].<ref name="unionapp">{{cite news|last=Staff|work=[[The Jackson Sun]]|url=http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20110711/NEWS01/110711013|title=NCAA approves Union's application for NCAA Division II membership process|date=July 11, 2011|access-date=July 12, 2011}}{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Both universities began GSC competition in the 2012–13 academic year but will not be eligible for NCAA national tournaments until the 2014–15 academic year.<ref name="shorterapp">{{cite web|work=[[Shorter University]]|url=http://www.shorter.edu/about/news/2011/07_12_11_ncaa_acceptance.htm|title=NCAA accepts Shorter's application for NCAA II membership process|date=July 12, 2011|access-date=July 12, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916164154/http://www.shorter.edu/about/news/2011/07_12_11_ncaa_acceptance.htm|archive-date=September 16, 2011}}</ref> In August 2011, the GSC added the [[Florida Institute of Technology]] as an associate member for football beginning in the 2013 season.<ref name="Florida Tech">{{cite web|title=Florida Tech Football Accepts Invitation to Join Gulf South Conference|url=http://www.floridatechsports.com/football/news/112/3222/|publisher=Florida Tech Athletics|access-date=August 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009012009/http://www.floridatechsports.com/football/news/112/3222/|archive-date=October 9, 2011|date=August 19, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On October 11, 2012, [[Mississippi College]] announced that it would petition the NCAA to leave Division III and return to the conference.<ref name="clintoncourier">{{cite news|last=Staff|work=[[Clinton Courier]]|url=http://www.theclintoncourier.net/v2/content.aspx?module=ContentItem&ID=247703&MemberID=2155|title=Exciting Development for MC Sports|date=October 16, 2012|access-date=October 16, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104005232/http://www.theclintoncourier.net/v2/content.aspx?module=ContentItem&ID=247703&MemberID=2155|archive-date=January 4, 2014}}</ref> The transition was a lengthy process; Mississippi College officially became a Division II candidate starting with the 2013–14 academic year, with the school becoming a full Division II member for 2016–17.<ref>{{cite web|title=It's Time to be II|url=http://www.mc.edu/d2/|publisher=Mississippi College|access-date=October 20, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021013749/http://www.mc.edu/d2/|archive-date=October 21, 2014}}</ref>

In 2013, [[Lee University]] joined the GSC, bringing the membership to 11. Lee University moved to Division II provisional membership for the 2014-15 season. They will complete transition to Division II in the 2015-16 season. Mississippi College entered its second candidacy year with the 2014-15 season in its path to full Division II membership in 2016-17 and added Gulf South Conference teams to its schedule.<ref>{{cite web|title=Division II Admits its 300th Member|url=https://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/division-ii-admits-its-300th-member|publisher=NCAA |access-date=October 20, 2014}}</ref>

The next change to the conference's membership was officially announced on December 6, 2016 when North Alabama was accepted to the [[ASUN Conference]] and would begin a transition to [[NCAA Division I|Division I]] sports in 2018.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://roarlions.com/news/2016/12/6/general-una-accepts-asun-invitation-to-move-to-division-i.aspx|title=UNA Accepts ASUN Division I Invitation|publisher=North Alabama Lions|date=December 6, 2016|access-date=December 11, 2016|archive-date=December 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220095315/http://roarlions.com/news/2016/12/6/general-una-accepts-asun-invitation-to-move-to-division-i.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>  In May 2020, affiliate member Florida Tech announced the discontinuation of their football program due to the financial fallout of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rogers |first1=Eric |last2=Neale |first2=Rick |title=Florida Tech cuts football program, announces layoffs due to COVID-19 impacts |url=https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/education/2020/05/11/florida-tech-cuts-football-program-announces-layoffs-due-covid-19/3108721001/ |website=Florida Today |access-date=May 12, 2020 |location=Melbourne, Florida |date=May 11, 2020}}</ref>