The Delta State University football program is being forced to go independent of the conference it helped charter back in 1970.
Amid changes within the Gulf South Conference, including several schools choosing to move to new conferences since 2024, the GSC will no longer sponsor football beginning in 2027-28. Only three football-playing schools currently remain in the conference: Delta State, West Alabama, and Valdosta State.
Earlier this month, Valdosta State announced it would move all sports except football to the Peach Belt Conference and make its football program independent. The GSC also lost West Florida after the 2025 season when the school moved to Division I. Before that, Mississippi Christian University discontinued its football program, and North Greenville and Chowan jumped for the Conference Carolinas.
Delta State Athletic Director Mike Kinnison explained that the GSC no longer has enough football-playing members to sustain the sport beyond the 2026 season.
“The changes in football-playing members have dwindled to three this year and would be two next year, with Valdosta State’s announcement of moving to the Peach Belt Conference in 2027,” Kinnison said. “Delta State, West Alabama, and Valdosta State are the only three football-playing schools in the Gulf South Conference. This is the last year of officially having GSC football competition, championships, etc.”
As it prepares to transition to independent status, Delta State is exploring football scheduling alliances and potential membership in other conferences.
“All of this has to be balanced with financial capability to meet the demands of increased travel over larger distances,” Kinnison said.
Delta State will remain a member of the GSC in all other sports, except swimming and diving, which competes in the New South Intercollegiate Swim Conference.