Before taking the giant step into NCAA Division II and the Gulf South Conference (GSC) for the 2013-14 season, athletics had already helped place Lee University on the national map. The Lady Flames had captured four straight NAIA Women's Soccer National Championships (2009-2012). In baseball the Flames claimed two runner-up finishes in the NAIA World Series. The women's basketball team also had a hard-earned second-place trophy in the NAIA National Tournament.