The USA South Athletic Conference announced Thursday the addition of Alabama’s Huntingdon College and Georgia’s Covenant College to its membership. The two schools will begin USA South play during the 2013-14 academic year.

 LaGrange College begins competition in the conference this fall.

 “We are delighted to welcome Huntingdon and Covenant into the USA South, which ensures present rivalries will be maintained while the geographic footprint of the conference is expanded farther to the south,” said LaGrange College Athletic Director Jennifer Claybrook. “We respect both these institutions as places where the commitment to the NCAA Division III philosophy is strong.”

With the addition of Huntingdon and Covenant, the number of former Great South Athletic Conference schools joining the USA South rises to five. Maryville (Tenn.) College and and Piedmont College (Ga.) join LaGrange as full members of the USA South for the 2012-13 academic year. LaGrange has been an affiliate member in lacrosse, while Maryville has been an affiliate member in football.

“These additions only add to the benefits LaGrange College will enjoy as we enter the USA South,” said college President Dan McAlexander. “We look forward to our student-athletes having more opportunities to take part in post-season play through membership in one of the most competitive and recognized conferences in Division III.”

 The USA South will have 12 full members and an affiliate member for the 2012-13 academic year: Agnes Scott College – lacrosse only (Ga.), Averett University (Va.), Christopher Newport University (Va.), Ferrum College (Va.), Greensboro College (N.C.), LaGrange College, Mary Baldwin College (Va.), Maryville  College (Tenn.), Meredith College (N.C.), Methodist University (N.C.), North Carolina Wesleyan College, Peace College (N.C.) and Piedmont College (Ga.).