Heartland Conference
| Heartland Conference | |
|---|---|
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| Established | 1972 |
| Association | NCAA |
| Division | Division II |
| Members | 8 |
| Sports fielded | 13 (men's: 6; women's: 7) |
| Region | Central United States |
| Headquarters | Waco, Texas |
| Commissioner | Tony Stigliano (since 1999) |
| Website | heartlandsports.org |
| Locations | |
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The Heartland Conference is an NCAA Division II college athletic conference founded in 1999. The majority of members are in Texas, with additional members in Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma.
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[edit] History
The conference was formed in 1999 by founding members Drury University, University of the Incarnate Word, Lincoln University, Rockhurst University, St. Edwards University, and St. Mary’s University. Oklahoma Panhandle State and Dallas Baptist University joined in 2002. Founding members Drury and Rockhurst left the Heartland Conference to join the Great Lakes Valley Conference in 2005. Western New Mexico University and Montana State University - Billings joined in 2005. However, WNMU transferred to the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in 2006 and MSUB joined the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in 2007. Newman University, Texas A&M International University and the University of Texas of the Permian Basin joined the conference in 2006, making the transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II.[1] The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith joined the conference in the Fall of 2009 after transitioning from the NJCAA.[2] In the fall of 2010, Lincoln left for the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association[3] and Incarnate Word left for the Lone Star Conference.[4] In July 2011, McMurry University announced that it had been accepted as candidate for D-II membership and would join the Heartland Conference in the fall of 2012.[5] In February 2012, Oklahoma Christian University announced its intention to seek membership in NCAA Division II. Pending application approval from the NCAA, the university has been accepted into the Heartland Conference and would begin playing a conference schedule in the 2012-13 academic year.[6]
[edit] Member schools
The Heartland Conference includes the following schools:
| Institution | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Year Joined | Nickname |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas – Fort Smith | Fort Smith, Arkansas | 1928 | Public | 7,000 | 2009 | Lions |
| Dallas Baptist University | Dallas, Texas | 1898 | Private/Baptist | 5,500 | 2002 | Patriots |
| Newman University | Wichita, Kansas | 1933 | Private/Catholic | 2,200 | 2006 | Jets |
| Oklahoma Panhandle State University | Goodwell, Oklahoma | 1909 | Public | 1,200 | 2002 | Aggies |
| St. Edward's University | Austin, Texas | 1885 | Private/Catholic | 5,500 | 1999 | Hilltoppers |
| St. Mary’s University | San Antonio, Texas | 1852 | Private/Catholic | 4,500 | 1999 | Rattlers |
| Texas A&M International University | Laredo, Texas | 1969 | Public | 4,298 | 2006 | Dustdevils |
| University of Texas of the Permian Basin | Odessa, Texas | 1973 | Public | 3,600 | 2006 | Falcons |
[edit] Future members
| Institution | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Year Joining | Nickname |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McMurry University | Abilene, Texas | 1923 | Private/Methodist | 1,400 | 2012 | War Hawks |
| Oklahoma Christian University | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | 1950 | Private/Churches of Christ | 2,200 | 2012 | Eagles |
[edit] Membership timeline
Former members in red.
[edit] Sports
The Heartland Conference sponsors 13 sports, seven for women and six for men. Both men and women compete in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, and tennis. Men compete in baseball and women compete in softball and volleyball.
Dallas Baptist's baseball team currently competes as a D-I independent; it will become a baseball affiliate of the Western Athletic Conference in July 2012. OPSU sponsors non-conference football and rodeo squads. Incoming member McMurry has football, men's & women's indoor and outdoor track, and men's and women's swimming teams that will compete as independents.[5]
[edit] National championships
| Sport | School | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Baseball | St. Mary’s Univ. | 2001 |
| Softball | St. Mary’s Univ. | 2002 |
| Men’s Golf (Individual champion) | Jamie Amoretti, St. Mary’s Univ. | 2006 |
- St. Mary's won NAIA national championships in Softball (1986) and Men's Basketball (1989) prior to joining the Heartland Conference.[7]
- The St. Mary's Men's Golf team were named the Golf Coaches Association of America 2008-2009 Academic National Champions, which St. Mary's treats as a fifth team national championship.[8]
- Dallas Baptist won the 2003 National Christian College Athletic Association Baseball national championship; DBU is a non-baseball member of the Heartland Conference.
[edit] References
- ^ - About the Heartland Conference
- ^ University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Accepts Invitation to Join Heartland Conference - arkansasbusiness.com - March 2, 2009
- ^ Lincoln returns to MIAA - St. Joseph News-Press - February 2, 2009
- ^ LSC to add Incarnate Word in 2010 - www.lonestarconference.org - January 20, 2009
- ^ a b NCAA accepts McMurry's application to transition to Division II - www.mcmurrysports.com - July 12, 2011
- ^ King, Kevin (February 7, 2012). KTUL TV. http://www.ktul.com/story/16692399/oklahoma-christian-to-seek-ncaa-division-ii-membership. Retrieved February 7, 2012.
- ^ http://www.stmarytx.edu/athletics/index.php?site=historyTimeline Rattler Athletics Timeline
- ^ http://www.stmarytx.edu/athletics/index.php?site=sportMGolf&nid=2165
[edit] External links
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