BIRMINGHAM, ALA. – The Gulf South Conference announced on Thursday, July 27 following the GSC annual media day the preseason poll selected by the league's head coaches.

Chowan, coming off a 7-4 season in 2022 and their first-ever CIAA Northern Division title and CIAA Championship appearance, enter the Gulf South Conference with little familiarity among the league's members.  The Hawks were selected to finish ninth in the GSC in 2023 with Delta State and West Florida heading up the poll.

Delta State picked to finish first in GSC went 11-2 in 2022 before exiting in the second round of the NCAA Playoffs to West Florida.  The Argonauts were picked to finish second after splitting the regular season title with the Statesmen in 2022.  UWF posted a 12-2 overall record and lost in the NCAA DII Semifinals.

West Georgia (8-2), West Alabama (5-6), and Valdosta State (5-6) round out the top-five.  Mississippi College (4-7), North Greenville (3-8), and Shorter (3-8) rank above the Hawks.

Chowan kicks off the season on August 31 on the road against Barton before hosting the GSC preseason favorite in the conference opener on September 9.

The full Gulf South Conference release can be found here.  Chowan's football schedule can be found here.