The Peach Belt Conference represents Division II excellence across the Southeast. From Augusta University’s unique D1 golf program to the conference’s expansion with Middle Georgia State, PBC athletics combine regional pride with championship-caliber competition. Here’s how Peach Belt fans can support their conference’s athletes through platforms like RallyFuel.
Why the Peach Belt Matters in NIL
The Peach Belt Conference has become a unique NIL environment for important reasons:
- Division II Excellence: The Peach Belt Conference is a premier NCAA Division II conference spanning Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida—combining strong academic institutions with competitive athletics across multiple sports.
- The Augusta University Exception: Augusta University competes in NCAA Division I for men’s and women’s golf, while its other sports compete in Division II. Augusta is one of only nine non-Division I institutions to voluntarily opt into the House v. NCAA settlement for golf. Athletic Director Ryan Erlacher cited maintaining competitiveness: “When you think of Augusta, GA, you think of golf.”
- Hybrid Conference Model: Augusta University’s D1 golf program introduces a hybrid model in which one sport operates under Division I rules within a predominantly Division II conference. This hybrid structure means the conference must accommodate differing eligibility, scholarship, and NIL rules for participating programs, creating new challenges and opportunities for athletes, schools, and fans.
- House Settlement Insulation: Unlike Division I schools, Peach Belt schools are not required to budget for the $20.5 million annual revenue share. Their financial model remains driven by institutional support and student fees, insulating them from the “bankruptcy risk” faced by some mid-major D1 programs.
- Talent Trickle-Down: The House settlement’s 105-player roster limit on D1 football will displace hundreds of talented players. These athletes may transfer to high-level D2 conferences like the Peach Belt, raising competition levels.
- Conference Expansion: Middle Georgia State University is transitioning from NAIA to NCAA Division II and joins the Peach Belt effective 2025-2026—demonstrating D2 conference stability while D1 contracts and consolidates.
The result: Peach Belt athletes have engaged Southeastern communities, and NIL support connects these regional fanbases directly with their student-athletes.
Peach Belt NIL by School
NIL activity spans Peach Belt programs:
- Augusta University: Jaguars with Augusta community support. Unique hybrid status—D1 golf programs have opted into the House settlement (one of only nine non-D1 institutions). Golf programs can share revenue directly with golfers and offer scholarships up to new roster limits. All other sports compete in D2. “When you think of Augusta, GA, you think of golf.”
- Clayton State: Lakers with Atlanta metro (Morrow) community support. Urban market access provides unique NIL opportunities in Georgia’s largest metropolitan area.
- Columbus State: Cougars with Columbus, Georgia community support. Strong athletic programs with a regional fanbase.
- Flagler College: Saints with St. Augustine, Florida community support. Historic coastal Florida location provides unique market access.
- Francis Marion: Patriots with Florence, South Carolina community support. Strong athletic tradition with devoted regional fanbase.
- Georgia College: Bobcats with Milledgeville community support. Georgia’s designated public liberal arts university with a strong academic tradition.
- Georgia Southwestern: Hurricanes with Americus community support. Regional Georgia fanbase with developing NIL infrastructure.
- Lander University: Bearcats with Greenwood, South Carolina community support. Strong athletic programs with a regional following.
- Middle Georgia State: Knights joining Peach Belt 2025-2026, transitioning from NAIA to NCAA Division II. Macon community support with central Georgia market access.
- North Georgia: Nighthawks with Dahlonega community support. Military-focused senior military college with a unique institutional culture.
- USC Aiken: Pacers with Aiken, South Carolina community support. Strong athletic tradition with devoted regional fanbase.
- USC Beaufort: Sand Sharks with Beaufort/Hilton Head, South Carolina community support. Coastal market access with a growing program.
- UNC Pembroke: Braves with Robeson County, North Carolina community support. Strong athletic programs with a regional following.
- Young Harris: Mountain Lions with the North Georgia mountains community support. Strong athletic tradition with scenic campus setting.
RallyFuel hosts verified athletes from Peach Belt schools for direct fan support.
Peach Belt NIL Beyond Football
The Peach Belt excels in NIL across multiple sports:
- Golf: Augusta University’s D1 golf programs operate under House settlement rules with revenue-sharing capability. As the only opt-in program in the conference, Augusta golfers have access to professional-level NIL infrastructure while competing against Power Four programs.
- Football: House settlement 105-player roster limits at D1 are displacing talented players to high-level D2 conferences. Peach Belt programs may absorb this “trickle-down” talent, elevating competition levels.
- Men’s Basketball: Strong programs across the conference with regional rivalries and devoted fanbases.
- Women’s Basketball: Competitive programs with regional community support and developing NIL infrastructure.
- Baseball: Strong programs across Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida with devoted fanbases.
- Softball: Competitive programs with regional following and community engagement.
- Soccer: Growing sport across the conference with developing NIL opportunities.
Fan-powered platforms like RallyFuel enable support across all Peach Belt sports—not just football.
How Peach Belt Fans Can Support Athletes
Peach Belt fans can fuel current roster athletes through RallyFuel in a few simple steps:
1. Create an account on RallyFuel.com or the mobile app.
2. Select your Peach Belt school affiliation.
3. Browse verified athletes currently on your program’s roster.
4. Fuel athletes across any sport
5. Track your support through your fan dashboard.
How It Works: When you purchase Fan Fuel, you’re purchasing Conditional NIL Engagement Rights (CNERs). If conditions are met, RallyFuel or its affiliate offers an NIL Agreement to the athlete. If conditions aren’t met—for example, if an athlete transfers—you receive an automatic refund.
Additional Support Channels:
- NIL Clubs: Subscribe to team-specific fan communities with monthly subscriptions and proceeds split equally among athletes
- Influxer Merchandise: Purchase athlete-branded apparel with royalties going directly to student-athletes
- Local Business Partnerships: Southeastern markets provide abundant local endorsement opportunities
Conditional Protection: RallyFuel’s conditional model protects Fan Fuel with automatic refunds if athletes transfer or conditions aren’t met. Peach Belt fans can support players without financial risk. Important: Fan support through RallyFuel is voluntary and conditional and not a charitable donation. RallyFuel is not a guarantor that any athlete will accept an NIL Agreement or performance, playing time, or outcome.e.
Peach Belt Battleground Competition
RallyFuel’s Battleground tracks Peach Belt rankings:
How It Works:
- Every Fan Fuel contribution adds to your school’s total.
- Real-time updates as transactions occur
- Peach Belt schools ranked against each other and nationally.
- Championship counts display alongside NIL totals.
Conference Competition:
- See how your school compares to Peach Belt rivals.
- Augusta vs. Georgia College rivalries extend to Battleground.
- Columbus State vs. USC Aiken continues year-round.
- Track your personal contribution to the school totals.
Battleground measures fan engagement for current roster athletes—showing which Peach Belt fan bases are most active in supporting their programs.
The Transfer Portal and NIL
The transfer portal has intensified NIL activity across the Peach Belt:
For Athletes: Players entering the portal evaluate multiple factors, including NIL opportunity. Athletes make independent decisions—NIL is one consideration among academics, playing time, coaching, location, and other factors.
For Fans: RallyFuel’s conditional model allows fans to support athletes in the transfer portal. If an athlete selects a different school during the conditional period, fans receive automatic refunds.
Conditional Protection:
- Automatic refunds if the athlete selects a different school
- Automatic refunds if the conditional period expires
- No financial risk to fans. Important: Fan support does not guarantee any athlete will transfer to a specific program. RallyFuel is not a guarantor that athletes will accept an NIL Agreement or join a specific school. Athletes make decisions based on many factors.s.
Ready to turn your support into action for Peach Belt athletes?
Start fueling Peach Belt athletes today—visit RallyFuel, find your school, and make an impact. Every contribution helps lead your team on Battleground.
Name, Image, and Likeness plays an increasing role in college sports, and understanding how it works often requires more than individual articles or news updates.
RallyFuel is a platform focused on NIL-related topics across college athletics. It brings together information on athletes, NIL activity, and the broader structure of modern college sports, helping readers explore the topic in greater depth.
Visit RallyFuel
Learn More About the NIL Landscape
Name, Image, and Likeness plays an increasing role in college sports, and understanding how it works often requires more than individual articles or news updates.
RallyFuel is a platform focused on NIL-related topics across college athletics. It brings together information about athletes, NIL activity, and the broader structure behind modern college sports, helping readers explore the topic in more depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can Peach Belt fans support athletes through NIL?
Peach Belt fans can fuel athletes directly through RallyFuel by creating an account, selecting their school affiliation, and browsing verified athletes. The conditional model provides automatic refunds if athletes transfer or if conditions aren’t met. Additionally, fans can subscribe to NIL Clubs or purchase athlete merchandise.
Which Peach Belt schools are on RallyFuel?
Athletes from Peach Belt schools are available for fan support on RallyFuel, including Augusta University, Clayton State, Columbus State, Flagler, Francis Marion, Georgia College, Georgia Southwestern, Lander, USC Aiken, USC Beaufort, UNC Pembroke, North Georgia, Young Harris, and Middle Georgia State (joining 2025-26).
Why is NIL important for Division II athletes?
NIL creates opportunity for Division II athletes at programs that don’t have access to the direct revenue-sharing models available to Division I schools. Fan support through platforms like RallyFuel allows Southeastern communities to directly support their student-athletes.
What makes Augusta University unique in the Peach Belt?
Augusta University competes in NCAA Division I for men’s and women’s golf, while its other sports compete in Division II. Augusta is one of only nine non-Division I institutions to voluntarily opt into the House v. NCAA settlement for golf, allowing them to share revenue directly with golfers and compete against Power Four programs.
What happens if an athlete I supported transfers?
If an athlete transfers or selects a different school during the conditional period, you receive an automatic refund to your original payment method. No manual request is required.
How does the House settlement affect Division II schools?
Most Division II schools, including Peach Belt members (except Augusta golf), are exempt from House settlement provisions like the $20.5 million revenue-sharing cap. Their financial model remains driven by institutional support and student fees. However, D1 roster limits may send displaced talent to high-level D2 conferences like the Peach Belt.
Is the Peach Belt expanding?
Yes. Middle Georgia State University is transitioning from NAIA to NCAA Division II and joins the Peach Belt effective 2025-2026, demonstrating D2 conference stability while D1 contracts and consolidates.
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