Conference Southland Conference Athletic director Lee De León Varsity teams 16 | NCAA Division I Location Abilene, Texas | |
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University Abilene Christian University | ||
Abilene Christian Wildcats (variously ACU or ACU Wildcats) refers to the sports teams of Abilene Christian University located in Abilene, Texas. The Wildcats began a four-year transition to Division I in the 2013–14 school year and competes as a full member in the Southland Conference with restrictions discussed below. The nickname "Wildcat" is derived from the mascot of the team.
Contents
- History
- Donors
- Mens sports
- Womens sports
- Championships
- Conference
- ACU Athletes in halls of fame
- Athletic administration
- People
- References
Starting with the 2014–15 season, the Wildcats play a full conference schedule in all sports and are considered a Division I program for scheduling and NCAA RPI purposes. Although Abilene Christian will be classified as a DI school for scheduling purposes in years 2–4 and can win the regular season conference title, they cannot participate in the conference tournament until the 2017–18 season. The Wildcats will also not be eligible for participation in the NCAA post season tournaments or championships until the 2017–18 season.
History
On July 1, 2013, Abilene Christian returned to the Southland Conference as one of four new members. The University, a charter member of the Southland Conference, left the Southland in 1973 to join the Division II of NCAA Lone Star Conference (LSC). The Wildcats remained members of the Lone Star Conference from 1973 until returning to the Southland Conference in 2013.
Overall, the Wildcats have won a combined 62 team national championships, including 57 as a member of the NCAA trailing behind UCLA, Stanford, USC and Kenyon College for the most NCAA team championships.
In 2007, the LSC included 33 ACU current and former student athletes in its 75-member all-sports team commemorating the conference's 75th anniversary.
Donors
The Abilene Christian University Athletic Department receives many donations, particularly from alumni.
Men's sports
Abilene Christian University sponsors teams in eight men's NCAA sanctioned sports: the men's intercollegiate sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field.
Women's sports
Abilene Christian University sponsors teams in nine women's NCAA sanctioned sports: Women's intercollegiate sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field, and volleyball.
Championships
They have national championships in: Football (2) (NAIA Division I: 1977, 1973); Men's Cross Country (2) (NCAA Division II: 2006, 2007); Men's Golf (1) (NCAA Division II: 1993); Men's Indoor Track and Field (14) (NCAA Division II: 1988, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2011); NAIA (1978); Women's Indoor Track and Field (12) (NCAA Division II: 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000); Men's Outdoor Track and Field (14) (NCAA Division II: 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008); NAIA: (1952, 1954, 1955, 1982) and Women's Outdoor Track and Field (10) (NCAA Division II: 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2008).
Conference
They have conference championships in Football (1973, 1977, 2008, 2010); Men's Cross Country (1980, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010); Women's Cross Country (1983, 1984, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007); Men's Basketball (1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87); Women's Basketball (1982–83, 1983–84, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1991–92, 1995–96, 1997–98, 1998–99); Golf (1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 2010); Men's Track and Field (1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010); Women's Track and Field (1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008); Men's Tennis (1988, 1990, 1995, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010); Women's Tennis (1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010); Baseball (1993, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010); Volleyball (2004, 2005); and Women's Soccer (2010).
ACU Athletes in halls of fame
College Football – Wilbert Montgomery (1996).
Drake Relays – Bobby Morrow, (1959).
Lone Star Conference – Wilbert Montgomery, football (1996); Billy Olson, men's track and field (1997); Wally Bullington, football (1999); Wes Kittley, track and field (2006).
U.S. Olympic – Bobby Morrow, men's track and field (1989).
Texas Sports – Bobby Morrow (1960), Tonto Coleman (1983), Eck Curtis (1985).
U.S. Track and Field – Bobby Morrow (1975).
Athletic administration
People
In 2009, wide receiver Johnny Knox was selected by the Chicago Bears in the 5th round. In 2009, running back Bernard Scott was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 6th round. In 2012, running back Daryl Richardson was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the 7th round.