<P> The South Alabama Jaguars represent the University of South Alabama in NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics . USA competes in the Sun Belt Conference; it is the conference's only remaining charter member from its inception . USA's athletics teams are nicknamed the' Jaguars' . Popular sports are baseball and men's basketball . USA sponsors 8 men's sports teams and 9 women's sports teams . The board of trustees recently voted to start a football program that began play in the fall of 2009 . </P> <P> South Alabama has Sun Belt rivalries with all of the East Division schools (Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia State, Georgia Southern, and Troy). South Alabama's main Sun Belt rivals are Georgia State and Troy . </P> <P> Men's Sports: basketball, baseball, cross country, golf, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field, football (FCS Independent 2011 - 2012, Full Sun Belt Conference play by 2013) </P> <P> Women's Sports: basketball, softball, cross country, golf, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field, volleyball, soccer </P>

When did south alabama join the sun belt