RICHARDSON, TX – The American Southwest Conference announced Monday (April 12) that Centenary College of Louisiana has accepted its invitation of membership to the NCAA Division III conference. The announcement was made during a press conference on the Shreveport, La., campus.
Centenary College, currently competing as a NCAA Division I institution in The Summit League, announced in July 2009 that it would seek reclassification as a NCAA Division III member. The College will make application to the Division III Membership Committee in May. The start date for membership in the American Southwest Conference will be determined following Centenary College’s selection into the Division III membership education program.
“The American Southwest Conference is pleased to welcome Centenary College of Louisiana to our membership and to support the College’s transition to NCAA Division III affiliation,” Amy Carlton, commissioner of the ASC, said. “Centenary College brings to the ASC a strong academic profile and a commitment to athletics as part of the student’s overall collegiate experience – both cornerstones in Division III and the American Southwest Conference.”With the addition of Centenary College, the ASC will return to a 16-member level for the first time since the 2006-07 academic year. Geographically, Centenary College is centered among the ASC East Division schools with the opportunity for athletic rivalries to form quickly within the division as well as with ASC West Division programs.
“This is great day for Centenary College and the ASC,” Centenary College President Dr. David Rowe said. “We are thrilled to join this conference and look forward to the new rivalries and increased spirit that it will bring to all of our schools.”
Centenary College fields athletic teams in 13 ASC championship sports, including baseball, basketball (m/w), cross country (m/w), golf (m/w), soccer (m/w), softball, tennis (m/w) and volleyball. Additionally, Centenary competes in women’s gymnastics and swimming and diving (m/w). Its men’s athletic teams are nicknamed “Gents” while the women’s programs are nicknamed “Ladies.” The athletics mascot is Skeeter, a Catahoula dog.
“The addition of Centenary will strengthen the competitive profile of the ASC championship sports,” Carlton said. “In the broader picture, Centenary’s Division III membership benefits not only the ASC, but Division III institutions and conferences across the south and southwest.”
Founded May 23, 1996 with eight members, the American Southwest Conference has members in four southern states – Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas – with a mix of private (13) and public (3) colleges and universities that mirror the make-up of all Division III institutions. The American Southwest Conference roster includes Concordia University Texas, East Texas Baptist University, Hardin-Simmons University, Howard Payne University, LeTourneau University, Louisiana College, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, McMurry University, Mississippi College, University of the Ozarks, Schreiner University, Sul Ross State University, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Texas at Tyler and Texas Lutheran University.
Over the past 14 seasons, the ASC has co-sponsored successful Division III legislative proposals and placed individuals on national governance and championship committees. Student-athletes have earned 85 Academic All-America citations, NCAA Postgraduate scholarships and national sport recognition. ASC teams have national championships in women’s basketball and men’s outdoor track and field, and Top 8 championship finishes in 10 sports.
