BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Gulf South Conference announced today that Bill Popp has been selected as the eighth Commissioner in conference history. Popp brings a combined 20-plus years of conference and campus leadership experience and will officially begin his tenure on August 3, 2026.
“We are excited to welcome Bill Popp as our next commissioner of the Gulf South Conference,” Dr. Carl A. Stockton, President of the GSC Board of Directors and Chancellor of Auburn University at Montgomery. “Both the search committee and the GSC Board of Directors were highly impressed by his extensive knowledge and his demonstrated ability to work effectively with varied groups of people. His longstanding commitment to excellence, supporting student success in the classroom and in athletic competition aligns seamlessly with the core values of our conference. We look forward to working with Mr. Popp as he assumes the role of commissioner and leads the Gulf South Conference into its next chapter.”
Popp joins the GSC following a four-year tenure as Commissioner of the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC), where he served as the league's chief executive officer while overseeing conference governance, strategic planning, membership initiatives, championship administration and national representation. During his tenure, the AAC expanded corporate partnerships and sponsorships, enhanced the student-athlete championship experience, and increased the conference’s national profile.
"I am honored and excited to join the Gulf South Conference as its next Commissioner and look forward to working alongside our member institutions to build on the conference's proud tradition of excellence while shaping an exciting future for our student-athletes,” said Popp.
Prior to his role as commissioner, Popp spent nearly two decades at Reinhardt University in executive leadership roles, including Vice President of Enrollment and Athletics, Vice President and Director of Athletics, and Director of Athletics. During that time, he oversaw significant institutional growth, including the expansion of athletic sponsorships from 11 to 24 sports, major facility enhancements, and successful fundraising initiatives supporting new programs and capital projects.
Throughout his career, Popp has established a national reputation as an innovative leader in intercollegiate athletics. He has served in numerous leadership positions within the NAIA, including Chair and Past Chair of the National Administrative Council, a current member of the Executive Committee, and Chair of the Postseason Selection and Ratings Committee. He also led national legislative efforts modernizing championship selection procedures across the association.
Popp's leadership has earned him national recognition, as he has garnered two NAIA Athletics Director of the Year and NACDA/Under Armour Athletics Director of the Year awards and is four-time AAC Athletics Director of the Year.
The GSC Board of Directors expressed its appreciation to the search committee and to Collegiate Consulting for their work and assistance in this process.
About the Gulf South Conference
Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the Gulf South Conference is a charter member of NCAA Division II. Since 1971, the GSC has established a tradition of excellence and leadership in the Division II landscape, celebrating over 56 national titles and more than 160 region championships. For the 2026-27 academic year, the Conference is comprised of 11 member institutions—The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Auburn University at Montgomery, Christian Brothers University, Delta State University, Lee University, Mississippi College, University of Montevallo, Trevecca Nazarene University, Union University (Tenn.), Valdosta State University, and University of West Alabama. In 2027-28, the Conference will add Loyola University New Orleans and Spring Hill College. The GSC sponsors 19 sports and hosts 18 championships events.