Conference Southland Nickname Cardinals | Location San Antonio, TX | |
 | ||
University University of the Incarnate Word Head coach Mandee Gamboa (3rd year) Home stadium Cardinals Field (Capacity: 250) | ||
The Incarnate Word Cardinals softball team represents the University of the Incarnate Word, located in San Antonio, TX. The Cardinals are a member of the Southland Conference and participate in NCAA Division I college softball. The team is currently led by head coach Mandee Gamboa and plays home games at Cardinals Field.
The 2014–15 season is the second year of a four-year transitional period for Incarnate Word from D2 to D1. In years 2–4 Incarnate Word will be classified as a D1 school for scheduling purposes. They will play a full conference schedule, and they can win the regular season conference title. However Incarnate Word cannot participate in the conference tourney until the 2017–18 season, at which time they will also be able to enter the NCAA tournament, should they receive an invitation.
History
The first season for the Incarnate Word Cardinals softball team was 1987. The team has competed in NAIA, NCAA Division II, and is currently in the second year of transition to NCAA Division I. The Cardinals have been members of four conferences over the life of the program, the Heart of Texas (HOTC) Conference as NAIA and NCAA Division II, the Heartland Conference, the Lone Star Conference at NCAA Division II, and the Southland Conference as an NCAA Division I team. As of the conclusion of the 2015 season, the team has an all-time record of 656-734-3 (.472). They participated in NCAA Division II postseason play three times, NAIA postseason play two times. The Cardinals won the Heartland Conference championship in 2006 and the Lone Star Conference tournament championship in 2012. Additionally, they won the Lone Star Conference regular season South Division championship in 2011.