Tennessee Tech making historic change by leaving Ohio Valley Conference

The Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles are planning on shaking up their corner of the college sports landscape.

Located in Cookeville, Tennessee, the Golden Eagles have been a part of the Ohio Valley Conference since 1949. Tennessee Tech has been in the same conference for nearly 80 years, but that will change in the 2026 season.

Tennessee Tech will be joining the Southern Conference. 

"This historic move changes the trajectory of our athletic aspirations and makes a statement to our campus and our community that Tech sports will be a part of a vibrant conference with new geographic rivalries," Director of Athletics Casey Fox said in a statement. "Our student-athletes and coaches will benefit from the reputation and competition the SoCon offers."  

This move will make the SoCon an 11-school outfit, with Tennessee State joining East Tennessee State, Chattanooga, Furman, Mercer, UNC Greensboro, Samford, The Citadel, Virginia Military Institute, Western Carolina and Wofford.

All but one sport will compete in the SoCon, with beach volleyball remaining a nonconference sport.

It does sound like geography played a big role into this decision for the Golden Eagles.

"Geographically, the states with SoCon teams fit the footprint of our students and alumni, so our move makes sense in those terms," Tech president Phil Oldham said. "Beyond that, our students and fans will have a chance to be a part of new rivalries and traditions that can create lifetime memories."

Tennessee Tech will leave the OVC with claims to 11 football championships, 19 women's basketball regular-season championships and three NCAA titles by the men's rifle team.