MAC Announcement

Men's Soccer

Men's Soccer Joining the Mid-American Conference (MAC)

CLEVELAND, OHIO – The Mid-American Conference (MAC) today announced the addition of Georgia State University and Georgia Southern University as affiliate members for men's soccer, beginning with the 2021-22 academic year.
 
With the addition of Georgia State and Georgia Southern, the MAC will have seven programs competing in men's soccer. Four full member institutions (Akron, Bowling Green, Northern Illinois and Western Michigan) will be joined by three affiliate members (Georgia Southern, Georgia State and West Virginia).
 
"I am pleased to welcome Georgia Southern University and Georgia State University as affiliate members in men's soccer," said MAC Commissioner Dr. Jon A. Steinbrecher. "Through the efforts of outstanding coaches and student-athletes, we have developed high expectations in the sport. I look forward to our newest members building upon and adding to the history and strength of the league."
 
Georgia State finished the 2020 season 9-2-2 and made a sixth-straight conference tournament championship game appearance before falling in penalty kicks last fall. The Panthers are led by head coach Brett Surrency who just finished his 11th season at the helm. Surrency has led Georgia State to nine or more wins in eight of his 11 seasons and is currently the second winningest coach (110 victories) in GSU men's soccer history. The Panthers have made four trips to the NCAA Tournament with the last coming in 2018 when the Panthers battled No. 14 Charlotte into penalty kicks (2-2, 3-0 PKs). The Georgia State men's soccer program dates back to 1967 with the program closing in on its 500th all-time win.
 
"We are grateful to Commissioner Steinbrecher, Senior Associate Commissioner for Championships & Sport Development Jeff Bacon, and the members of the MAC for welcoming in our men's soccer program," said Georgia State Director of Athletics Charlie Cobb. "The MAC has had a great deal of success in men's soccer throughout its history and I know Coach Surrency is looking forward to the challenge ahead of him of facing off against some great programs."
 
"We are really excited to join the MAC and compete with some historically great soccer programs," said Surrency. "Our program is thankful for the vision of Director of Athletics Charlie Cobb and our administration to find us a great home and what we feel like is another positive step for our program."
 
Since the 2009 season, MAC Men's Soccer programs have enjoyed profound success on the national level -- highlighted by five College Cup appearances, 17 MLS first round draft picks and Akron taking home the NCAA National Championship title in 2010.   
 
For more men's soccer information, please visit GetSomeMACtion.com or follow us on Twitter at @MACSports.
 
MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE
Founded in 1946, the Mid-American Conference is an NCAA Division I, 12-member conference that sponsors 24 championships and is one of 10 members of the Football Bowl Subdivison (FBS). With total enrollment of nearly 300,000 students, the league represents institutions of higher learning in five states - Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, and Ohio.
 
Current MAC schools and the year they joined are -- East Division: University of Akron (1992), Bowling Green State University (1952), University at Buffalo (1998), Kent State University (1951), Miami University (1947), Ohio University (1946). West Division: Ball State University (1973), Central Michigan University (1971), Eastern Michigan University (1971), Northern Illinois University (1975-86, rejoined in 1997), University of Toledo (1950), Western Michigan University (1947). The conference office is based in Cleveland, Ohio.
 
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