The Southern Poly (SPSU) athletic teams were called the Runnin' Hornets, although "Runnin' Hornets" is often shortened to "Hornets" in use. The university was a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC; formerly known as Georgia–Alabama–Carolina Conference (GACC) until after the 2003–04 school year) from 1999–2000 to 2013–14. The university's mascot was Sting, a green and black, anthropomorphic hornet bearing the stylized version of the university's logo on its chest. SPSU competed in four intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports included baseball, basketball and soccer; while women's sports included basketball.