 | This article does not cite any references or sources. (February 2018) |
| Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) | |
| Established | 1978 |
|---|---|
| Association | NAIA |
| Division | Division I |
| Members | 12 |
| Sports fielded | 17 (men's: 9; women's: 8) |
| Region | South Central United States Region VI of the NAIA |
| Commissioner | Stan Wagnon |
| Website | soonerathletic.org |
The Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) is a small college athletics conference affiliated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Originally developed as a five-team conference of Oklahoma-based schools, the SAC now boasts 12 schools in a league that spans four states – Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Kansas.
As of December 2017, SAC member institutions have collected 102 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) team championships – the most among NAIA conferences – since the league formed in 1978.
Throughout the league's 39-year history, the SAC continues to be known as the conference "Where Champions Play". Various institutions have competed under the SAC banner over the years. Today only the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma remains from the original group that was formed when Bethany Nazarene (now Southern Nazarene), Oklahoma Baptist, Oklahoma Christian and Phillips University withdrew from the Texoma Conference to form the SAC.
Membership has changed over the years with today's current members being admitted as follows: Oklahoma City (1985), Wayland Baptist (1994), John Brown (1995), Mid-America Christian (2007), Southwestern Assemblies of God (2013), Texas Wesleyan (2013), Southwestern Christian (2013), Bacone (2014), Central Christian (2017) and Oklahoma Panhandle State (2017).
The league also includes associate members on a per-sport basis, with University of Houston-Victoria, University of the Southwest and University of St. Thomas being part of the SAC in women's golf since 2017. Indiana Institute of Technology and Lourdes University were added as associate members in men's wrestling for 2017–18.
In the 2018–19 school year, the SAC will crown league champions in 17 intercollegiate sports – eight for women and nine for men. Women's sports are basketball, softball, golf, tennis, cross country, soccer, volleyball, indoor track & field, and outdoor track & field. Men compete in football, basketball, baseball, golf, tennis, cross country, indoor track & field, outdoor track & field, soccer, and wrestling. The newest conference sport is football, added for the 2018 season.
The conference is known for a rich basketball tradition. Member schools have won the men's NAIA tournament 12 times and women's NAIA tournament 16 times. SAC member schools also boast 12 NAIA national titles in men's golf, 11 in softball, 10 in women's golf, 8 in women's indoor track and field, 7 in men's cross country, 5 in men's tennis, 4 each in men's and women's outdoor track and field, 3 in men's indoor track and field, 2 in baseball and 1 in competitive cheer.
Member schools[]
Current members[]
| Institution | Location | Founded | Enrollment | Nickname | Joined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bacone College | Muskogee, Oklahoma | 1880 | 990 | Warriors | 2015 |
| Central Christian College | McPherson, Kansas | 1884 | 1,013 | Tigers | 2017 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, Arkansas | 1919 | 2,708 | Golden Eagles | 1980; 1995 |
| Langston University | Langston, Oklahoma | 1897 | 2,554 | Lions | 2018 |
| Mid-America Christian University | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | 1953 | 2,405 | Evangels | 2007 |
| Oklahoma City University | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | 1904 | 2,968 | Stars | 1986 |
| Oklahoma Panhandle State University | Goodwell, Oklahoma | 1909 | 1,207 | Aggies | 2017 |
| University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma | Chickasha, Oklahoma | 1908 | 813 | Drovers | 1978; 2000 |
| Southwestern Assemblies of God University | Waxahachie, Texas | 1927 | 2,080 | Lions | 2013 |
| Southwestern Christian University | Bethany, Oklahoma | 1946 | 764 | Eagles | 2013 |
| Texas Wesleyan University | Fort Worth, Texas | 1890 | 2,373 | Rams | 2013 |
| Wayland Baptist University | Plainview, Texas | 1908 | 5,077 | Pioneers | 1994 |
- John Brown – left the SAC in 1983, and re-joined in 1995.
- USAO – left the SAC in 1994, and re-joined in 2000.
Affiliate members[]
| Institution | Location | Founded | Enrollment | Nickname | Joined | Primary Conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Christian University | Phoenix, Arizona | 1960 | 820 | Firestorm | 2018 | Golden State |
| Lyon College | Batesville, Arkansas | 1872 | 700 | Scots | 2018 | American Midwest |
| Texas College | Tyler, Texas | 1894 | 972 | Steers | 2018 | Red River |
Former members[]
| Institution | Location | Founded | Nickname | Joined | Left | Current conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lubbock Christian University | Lubbock, Texas | 1957 | Chaparrals | 1994 | 2013 | Lone Star (NCAA D-II) |
| Northwestern Oklahoma State University | Alva, Oklahoma | 1897 | Rangers | 2002 | 2012 | Great American (NCAA D-II) |
| Northwood University | Cedar Hill, Texas | 1966 | Knights | 2013 | 2014 | Closed in 2014 |
| Oklahoma Baptist University | Shawnee, Oklahoma | 1910 | Bison | 1978 | 2015 | Great American (NCAA D-II) |
| Oklahoma Christian University | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | 1950 | Eagles and Lady Eagles | 1978 | 2012 | Lone Star (NCAA D-II) |
| Phillips University | Enid, Oklahoma | 1906 | Haymakers | 1978 | 1998 | Closed in 1998 |
| Rogers State University | Claremore, Oklahoma | 1909 | Hillcats | 2007 | 2013 | Mid-America (NCAA D-II) |
| St. Gregory's University | Shawnee, Oklahoma | 1875 | Cavaliers | 1999 | 2017 | Closed in 2017 |
| Southern Nazarene University | Bethany, Oklahoma | 1899 | Crimson Storm | 1978 | 2012 | Great American (NCAA D-II) |
Membership timeline[]
References[]
External links[]
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