Georgia State University

Georgia State University operates a 16teams athletics program at the highest level of NCAA competition Division I Football played its first game in 2010 and sand volleyball began as a varsity sport in 2012 Georgia State moved into the Sun Belt Conference on July 1 2013 returning to the league it originally helped form in 1976 The Sun Belt receives automatic bids to three football postseason bowl games and all NCAA championship tournaments In the past year the Panthers earned two conference team championships had three league rookies of the year and had six players earn AllAmerica or freshman AllAmerica status The sand volleyball duo of Lane Carico and Katie Madewell reached the national semifinals of the postseason championship in 2013 the highest national finish in Georgia State history for any team or individual Georgia States history includes eight years in the Colonial Athletic Association CAA after spending 21 years in the same conference the Trans America Athletic Conference changed its name to the Atlantic Sun in 2001 In 196364 Georgia State became a fully accredited Division I athletics program as it provided scholarships for the first time to allow students to compete at

Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia is a Division I institution known for competitive athletics and a long-standing commitment to student participation at the highest collegiate level. With a 16-team athletics program competing in NCAA Division I, the Panthers bring high-level sports opportunities to the Atlanta area. Georgia State first played its Division I football program in 2010, and sand volleyball became a varsity sport in 2012. The university has also built its conference presence over time, moving to the Sun Belt Conference on July 1, 2013, after previously helping form the league in 1976. Georgia State previously competed in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) and earlier years included time in the Trans America Athletic Conference, later renamed the Atlantic Sun in 2001. Athletics highlights include recent conference achievements such as two conference team championships, multiple league rookies of the year, and several players earning All-America or freshman All-America recognition. Sand volleyball success includes Lane Carico and Katie Madewell reaching the national semifinals of the postseason championship in 2013, the highest national finish in Georgia State history for any team or individual. Georgia State’s athletics history also includes becoming a fully accredited Division I athletics program in 1963–64, including the introduction of scholarships to support competition at the Division I level. For prospective students and local families searching directories like directoryatlantageorgia.com, Georgia State University stands out as an established option for education and learning closely connected to NCAA Division I athletics in the Atlanta community.