Greenville, S.C. — Catawba College accepted an invitation to join Conference Carolinas as an associate member in Men's and Women's Swimming, the league office announced Wednesday afternoon. The Catawba Indians will compete in Conference Carolinas beginning in the fall of 2026.

"We are excited to be joining Conference Carolinas alongside four other SAC institutions as associate members in men's and women's swimming," Catawba Vice President for Athletics Michelle Caddigan said. "We extend our sincere thanks to Commissioner Chris Colvin and the board for welcoming and providing this valuable opportunity for our student-athletes. We look forward to a strong and successful partnership in the years ahead."

The shift is a result of the South Atlantic Conference falling below the institutional limit to host a conference championship and as a result, no longer sponsoring the sport indefinitely following the 2026 SAC Championships.

Catawba will join fellow SAC members Carson-Newman, Lenoir-Rhyne, Mars Hill and Wingate in the shift to Conference Carolinas, joining Barton, Chowan, Converse, Emmanuel, King, Montevallo and UNC Pembroke's women in the newly formed 12-team league in swimming,

"We are thrilled to welcome five new institutions as associate members to grow our men's and women's swimming membership," Colvin said. "The addition of these institutions provide stability and strength to the conference's sponsorship of men's and women's swimming. We are excited to continue partnering with Wingate and Mars Hill and look forward to adding Carson-Newman, Catawba and Lenoir-Rhyne to our large number of associate members."

The Catawba Indians wrap up their fourth season of SAC competition this February at the league championships in Kingsport, Tenn.