FOLEY — The Sun Belt Conference is returning to Foley this fall to crown multiple champions.

The men’s and women’s cross country team and individual titles will be awarded on Saturday, Oct. 28 before the women’s soccer champion will be determined on Nov. 5 and the volleyball champion is crowned on Nov. 19.

Sun Belt makes Foley home

With four of the six fall Sun Belt Conference team titles being awarded in Foley, City of Foley Executive Director of Leisure Services David Thompson said it is exciting to see how the conference has grown more at home in the city. 

“We started by hosting the 2016 Sun Belt women’s soccer championships. Now, we are proud to have added cross country and volleyball to the calendar long term as well,” Thompson said. “We have a true partnership with the Sun Belt Conference. They work closely with us to improve the visitor experience year after year. Win or lose, we want every coach, participant, and spectator to leave with a positive view of Foley and an excitement to return at the next available opportunity.”

“We are committed to providing first-class championship experiences for our student-athletes across all of our sports in the Sun Belt,” Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Keith Gill said. “Our long-term partnership with Foley Sports Tourism and the City of Foley has enabled us to elevate the marquee postseason events for our student-athletes in women’s soccer, volleyball and, most recently, men’s and women’s cross country. We look forward to crowning four team champions over the next month in Foley.”

Cross country

Although this is just the second year Foley will host the Sun Belt Cross Country Championships at the Graham Creek Nature Preserve, it seems athletes like the venue after both men's and women's individual meet records were set during last year’s event.

Cross country will also be the first champion crowned with the title meet scheduled for this Saturday, Oct. 28.

Women’s soccer

The Sun Belt women’s soccer championship will feature the conference’s top ten teams. In 2022, Old Dominion won the title in its first year in the conference and ended South Alabama’s three-year winning streak.

The tournament is set to start on Oct. 30 and has action every other day until a champion is crowned at 1 p.m. on Nov. 5.

Volleyball

The Sun Belt volleyball championship will bring all 14 of the conference’s volleyball teams to the city. Last year, James Madison won top honors in its first season in the conference.

The tournament is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 15 and culminates with the championship match at 3 p.m. on Nov. 19.

All Sun Belt Conference Championship action will be streamed live on ESPN+. For more information on any of the Sun Belt Conference Championships in Foley, contact Stephanie Donald with the City of Foley.