Big South Conference Unveils New Strategic Positioning
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (www.BigSouthSports.com) – The
Big South Conference today unveiled its new Strategic Positioning Framework, which redefines the league's purpose, vision, and values around empowering student-athletes and prioritizing basketball excellence. The Conference partnered with the Pictor Group and Enliven Agency on this initiative.
Click here to view the Big South’s Strategic Positioning
“This new Strategic Position is more than a roadmap -- it is our North Star,” said Big South Commissioner
Sherika A. Montgomery. “It challenges us to think innovatively, collaborate more deeply, and pursue excellence with intentionality. Together, we will position the Big South as a conference that is nationally respected, competitively successful, financially resilient, and unwavering in its commitment to developing tomorrow’s leaders.”
“This strategic positioning gives the Big South a clear and compelling path forward, one that puts our student-athletes at the center of everything we do while embracing the opportunity to elevate basketball and strengthen the conference as a whole,” added
Dr. Bennie L. Harris, Big South Conference President and Chancellor of USC Upstate.
This newly redefined framework establishes a bold direction for the conference, anchored by a refreshed purpose, vision, values, and distinct strategic priorities:
PURPOSE – The Big South Conference represents and advocates for its members at the NCAA Division I level, delivers outstanding championship experiences, and supports its institutions in guiding student-athletes to their full potential as students, athletes, and leaders in global society.
VISION – The Big South: Where Basketball Success Fuels Conference-wide Excellence and drives national relevance, shared success, and increased opportunity for all Big South student-athletes.
VALUES:
- Academic Centrality: We place academic excellence at the center of our student-athlete experience.
- Athletics Excellence: Our relentless competitive spirit builds champions for life.
- Integrity: We compete the right way and honor each other with respect.
- Student-Athlete Well-Being: We prioritize holistic wellness to strengthen performance and unlock potential for success in college and beyond.
- Collegiality: We work together for the greater good of our collective institutions.
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES – By placing student-athletes at the center, investing in our brand identity, and planning proactively for future growth, we are building a stronger, more resilient conference that thrives on excellence both on and off the field of play.
- Serving Student-Athletes Through Transformational Experiences: Supporting our student-athletes as competitors, scholars, and future professionals by elevating competitive excellence, leadership development, and the educational value of sports.
- Actualizing the Big South Brand: Boldly defining and promoting the league's unique identity through high-impact storytelling, increased media visibility, and brand innovation.
- Ensuring Conference Sustainability and Future Growth: Securing a resilient future by diversifying revenue streams and making sport-specific investments in basketball and high-value markets.
“Our member institutions share a commitment to developing champions in the classroom, in competition and in life,” continued Dr. Harris. “By working together with purpose and vision, we can create transformational experiences for our student-athletes and position the Big South for greater national relevance.”
“The momentum within the Big South Conference is palpable,” stated Montgomery. “This strategic positioning framework reflects our momentum while capturing a shared vision and unified commitment among the Conference and its member institutions. We have already seen achievement reach new heights, both academically and athletically. Across our membership, student-athletes and programs continue to excel, with historic success in multiple sports -- particularly basketball -- and meaningful accomplishments on the NCAA championship stage.”
WHAT’S THE BIG SOUTH?
For more than 40 years, the Big South Conference has been an exemplary leader in college athletics, dedicated to developing student-athletes through the pursuit of excellence in the classroom, community, and field of play. As an NCAA Division I athletic conference, the Big South represents and advocates for its member institutions by delivering outstanding championship experiences and fostering the holistic development of more than 3,200 student-athletes. Guided by its foundational mantra, "Where Winners Are Made," the conference aligns its 18 championship sports under a strategic positioning framework built on Academic Centrality, Athletics Excellence, Integrity, Student-Athlete Well-Being, and Collegiality. With a bold vision that leverages basketball success as a catalyst to fuel conference-wide excellence, national relevance, and sustainable future growth, the Big South continues to cultivate champions for life who excel as students, athletes, and leaders in a global society. For more information, visit
www.BigSouthSports.com.