Oglethorpe To Add Two Sports to Athletic Program

will add two sports to its athletic program, the university's athletic director told Patch Wednesday.

The newly-formed Southern Athletic Association (SAA) requires member schools to offer at least 18 sports. Oglethorpe has 16.

Athletic Director and interim SAA commissioner Jay Gardiner said university president Larry Schall has formed a committee comprised of faculty and students to review the feasibility of adding two of the following sports:

• football
• softball
• men's and women's swimming and diving
• field hockey

Gardiner said he will not be advocating for football at Oglethorpe because he said the school lacks the infrastructure and sufficient facilities.

"I’m a big advocate for football, but not here," he said. "I’m certain someone will bring it up, but it’s not a conversation to have at this point."

Gardiner said the committee will meet for the first time in January 2012. Once a decision is made about which two sports are the school's best options, the committee will recommend its findings to the president. While there is no set deadline, Gardiner said he is hoping the president will have a decision by May 2012. Schall will then present the recommendation to the Board of Trustees.

The changes would likely take effect in either 2014 or 2015.

The SAA was formed in June 2011 and includes Birmingham-Southern College in Alabama; Centre College in Kentucky; Hendrix College in Arkansas; Millsaps College in Mississippi; Oglethorpe University and Berry College in Georgia; and Rhodes College and Sewanee: The University of the South in Tennessee.

Tuesday, the SAA announced the addition of two new schools - University of Chicago and Washington University in St. Louis, both of which have football programs.