As of 1989, it operated in both Bristol and Knoxville, Tennessee and enrolled a total of approximately 350 students in the two locations.
Sumerell had previously founded and operated American Management College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, which closed in February 1989, and before that had directed Limestone College's off-campus management program.
[1][5][6] American Management College's records were transferred to Bristol University.
[7] Bristol University Men's Baseball team won the 1989 and 1990 National Small College Athletic Association (NSCAA) Championships in McPherson, Kansas with Gerald Opp as head coach and went on to win the 1993 and 1994 NSCAA National Championships in Tyler, Texas with Gil Payne as head coach.
At times during its history, Bristol College fielded a men's basketball team.