South Carolina–Beaufort Sand Sharks
| South Carolina–Beaufort Sand Sharks | |
|---|---|
| Logo | |
| University | University of South Carolina–Beaufort |
| Association | NAIA, NCAA |
| Conference | Continental (NAIA), Peach Belt (NCAA, provisional) |
| Athletic director | Quin Monahan[1] |
| Location | Beaufort, South Carolina |
| Basketball arena | New arena (2023) |
| Baseball stadium | Richard Gray Baseball Complex |
| Softball stadium | Richard Gray Softball Complex |
| Soccer stadium | USCB Campus/Fin Land Field |
| Nickname | Sand Sharks |
| Colors | Navy blue, sand, and light blue[2] |
| Website | uscbathletics |
The South Carolina–Beaufort Sand Sharks (also USCB Sand Sharks or USC Beaufort Sand Sharks) are the athletic teams that represent the University of South Carolina Beaufort, located in Beaufort, South Carolina, in intercollegiate sports as a member of both the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division II ranks, primarily competing in the NCAA's Peach Belt Conference (PBC) and the NAIA's Continental Athletic Conference, formerly known as the Association of Independent Institutions (AII), for the 2022–23 school year only (which they were a member on a previous stint during the 2007–08 school year, which when the school began its athletics program and joined the NAIA). The Sand Sharks previously competed in the Sun Conference, formerly known as the Florida Sun Conference (FSC), from 2008–09 to 2021–22.
Facilities
Both the Sand Shark baseball and softball teams currently practice and play all home games at the City of Hardeeville's Recreation Complex (the Richard Gray Baseball Complex).
Move to NCAA Division II
On April 14, 2021, South Carolina–Beaufort reported that the NCAA Division II's Peach Belt Conference invited the Sand Sharks to join the conference in 2022 after applying for membership in and gaining acceptance into the NCAA.[3] Also on that day, USCB planned to add men's and women's basketball as a condition of its NCAA and Peach Belt membership. The teams in that sport were intended to play their first season in 2023–24.[4][5] By July 15, 2022, USCB was already accepted into the Continental Athletic Conference for its first year of provisional membership while still playing a Peach Belt schedule as part of the Sand Sharks' NAIA-NCAA dual membership, but will be ineligible for a Peach Belt or NCAA postseason during the three-year transition.[6]
Varsity teams
USC Beaufort competes in nine intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, cross country, golf and track & field; while women's sports include cross country, golf, soccer, softball and track & field. Men's and women's basketball will be added to its athletics program in 2023.
References
- ^ "Staff". UCSB. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
- ^ "USC Beaufort Alters Athletic Marks". August 9, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
- ^ "Peach Belt Accepts USCB as Newest League Member". USCB Sand Sharks. April 14, 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- ^ Goldstein, Andrew (April 14, 2021). "USC-Beaufort to move up to Division II, add women's and men's basketball". WSAV.com. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
- ^ Murdaugh, Shellie (April 15, 2021). "University of South Carolina Beaufort plans move to NCAA Division II". Bluffton Today. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
- ^ Gough, Lyndsay (July 15, 2022). "USCB Approved for NCAA DII Membership". WTOC 11. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
