Southwest Baptist Bearcats
Southwest Baptist Bearcats | |
---|---|
University | Southwest Baptist University |
Conference |
MIAA (primary) GLVC (football) |
NCAA | Division II |
Athletic director | Mike Pitts |
Location | Bolivar, Missouri |
Varsity teams | 16 |
Football stadium | Plaster Stadium |
Basketball arena | Jane and Ken Meyer Sports and Wellness Center |
Nickname | Bearcats |
Colors |
Purple and White |
Website |
www |
The Southwest Baptist Bearcats are the sports teams of Southwest Baptist University located in Bolivar, Missouri. They participate in the NCAA's Division II and in the primarily in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA).[1]
Sports
- * = Southwest Baptist was one of two MIAA schools whose football team moved to the Great Lakes Valley Conference in 2014 under a scheduling alliance between the two conferences.[3]
Football
The Bearcats football team is currently coached by Craig Schuler. Schuler is the 8th head football coach in Southwest Baptist University history. His first season in the program is 2013.
Men's basketball
The Bearcats men's basketball team is currently under the direction of Clark Sheehy. Sheehy took over in 2014. He was previously coach at John Brown University in Arkansas.
Softball
The Bearcats softball team appeared in one Women's College World Series in 1971.[4]
Mascot
The official mascot of Southwest Baptist Athletic teams is the Bearcat.
Athletic facilities
- Plaster Stadium, is the home of the SBU Bearcat football team. The stadium was completed in 1985 and named in respect to Robert W. Plaster for his significant contribution towards the facility. Plaster is a businessman from Lebanon, Missouri. Some renovations include the field being re-turfed in 1988 and lights being installed in 1998.[5]
- Robert W. Plaster Athletic Center, holds the football coaching staff offices, athletic meeting rooms, athletic training room, banquet room, weight room, and football locker room. Also, the athletic center provides an outside balcony for guest to watch a SBU football game. The facility was completed in 2001 from the major contribution of Robert W. Plaster.[5][6]
- Jane and Ken Meyer Sports and Wellness Center, is home of the Bearcat men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and volleyball teams. The facility was built in 2004. The Sports Arena holds seating for 2,800 fans. The court is named in honor of Springfield, Mo businessman John Q. Hammons. The center houses Intramural Basketball and Volleyball Courts, Natatorium, Fitness Room, Weight Room, Indoor Walking or Jogging Track, Racquetball Courts, Rock Climbing Wall, Sports Café, Aerobic Room, Health and Physical Education Classrooms, Faculty and Athletic Offices, Athletic Training Room, and Citizen’s Memorial Hospital Sports Medicine Clinic. Jane and Ken Meyer were the major contributors towards Sports and Wellness Center Project. The Natatorium is used for swimming classes, aquatic exercises, scuba classes, and for recreational use by SBU students, faculty, and staff. The Natatorium was funded by student activity fees and built in 1985. The Olympic size pool holds six lanes and has a one-meter diving board.[6][7]
- John A. Bryant Tennis Center, is where the SBU men’s and women’s tennis teams compete. The Center was completed in 2000 and is composed of six side by side courts. Since the new facility opened SBU has hosted three NCAA Tournaments. Also, the courts are open to SBU students, faculty, staff, and the Bolivar community. The Center is named in admiration for John A. Bryant’s long time service to SBU Tennis program.[5][6]
- Dodson Field, is home of the Bearcat baseball team. The field was renovated in 2005 with new dugouts, new netting behind home plate, and concrete walls between the dugouts. Dodson field provides large dugouts, a grass infield, and Major League field dimensions. The field is named after James W. Dodson.[5][6]
- SBU Softball Field, is where the SBU softball team play their home games. The field received some renovations in 2005 to improve the playing surface.[5]
- SBU Soccer Field, is where the Men's and Women’s soccer team hosts their opponents. The field is adjacent to Dodson Field and the SBU softball field. In 2003, overhangs for the benches were built on the south side of the field and a new scoreboard was constructed.[5]
References
- ↑ "Members: Southwest Baptist University". 2013. Retrieved Oct 18, 2013.
- 1 2 "Southwest Baptist University". sbubearcats.com.
- ↑ "Great Lakes Valley Conference". glvcsports.com.
- ↑ Plummer, William; Floyd, Larry C. (2013). A Series Of Their Own: History Of The Women's College World Series. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States: Turnkey Communications Inc. ISBN 978-0-9893007-0-4.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Southwest Baptist University, (1994-2007). Southwest baptist university athletics. Retrieved January 6, 2008, from Facilities
- 1 2 3 4 Southwest Baptist University, (2007-2008). Campus buildings and facilities. Southwest Baptist University Catalog, 92(3), 7-8.
- ↑ http://www.sbuniv.edu/tour/pool.htm