RICHARDSON, Texas –– Centenary College begins its membership in the NCAA Division III American Southwest Conference today (July 1, 2011) after completing its tenure in the Division I Summit League on June 30.

“The American Southwest Conference membership welcomes our newest member and looks forward to establishing spirited rivalries in athletics and collegial exchanges in academic endeavors,” ASC Commissioner Amy Carlton said.

Centenary College is located in Shreveport, La., and fields teams nicknamed the “Gents” and “Ladies.” Centenary will participate in 13 ASC championship sports, including baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s tennis and volleyball. Additionally, Centenary competes in the non-ASC sports of women’s gymnastics and men’s and women’s swimming and diving.

The College is in the NCAA Division III membership reclassifying process.

“Centenary Athletics is thrilled about its membership in the American Southwest Conference, which will provide Lady and Gent student-athletes with a unique opportunity to embody the institution’s mission to live, lead, and learn, as well as the prospects to forge new legacies for this athletic department and their individual teams,” said Dr. William Broussard, Centenary Director of Athletics.

With the addition of Centenary, the ASC returns to a 16-member level for the first time since the 2006-07 academic year. The roster of ASC institutions in 2011-12 also 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.

Centenary Facts

Sponsored Conference Sports

Baseball; Men's Basketball; Women's Basketball; Men's Cross Country; Women's Cross Country; Men's Golf; Women's Golf; Men's Soccer; Women's Soccer; Softball; Men's Tennis; Women's Tennis ; Volleyball. Other sponsored sports: Women’s Gymnastics

Internet Sites

ASC MEMBERSHIP TIMELINE
(Year approved for conference membership or withdrew from league)

1996       Founding Members: Austin College, University of Dallas, Hardin-Simmons University, Howard Payne University, McMurry University, Mississippi College,    University of the Ozarks, Sul Ross State University.

1997       University of Mary Hardin-Baylor joins ASC

1998       East Texas Baptist University, LeTourneau University, Schreiner College (now, University), University of Texas at Dallas join ASC

1999       Concordia University at Austin (now, CU Texas) joins ASC

2000       Louisiana College, Texas Lutheran University join ASC

2002       University of Texas at Tyler joins ASC

2006       Austin College withdraws membership

2011       Centenary College joins ASC