THE SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE

#KEEPTHEFAITH THE SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE

Well into its sixth decade of service, the Southland jor League Baseball star Wade Miley (Southeastern Louisiana), Conference continues to be a model of innovation, stability NBA legend Scottie Pippen (Central Arkansas), and track and and consistent achievement as it celebrates the academic field Olympians Kenta Bell (Northwestern State), and Bobby and athletic accomplishments of its member institutions and Morrow and Billy Olson (both Abilene Christian). approximately 4,200 student-athletes. Other notable alums from current members include

Having commemorated its 50th anniversary in 2013, the Grammy Award-winning musicians Frank Ocean (New Orleans), Southland Conference has transformed itself into a dynamic and Don Henley and Rodney Crowell (both Stephen F. Austin), and respected consortium of 13 member universities in three states. Ronnie Dunn (Abilene Christian), television personality and Beginning with a historic meeting of five institutions in Dallas on actress Ellen DeGeneres (New Orleans), current NFL standouts March 15, 1963, the Southland Conference set on an extraordinary Lardarius Webb (Nicholls State), Terrence McGee (Northwestern course that has proven successful well into the 21st Century. State), and Daniel Manning (Abilene Christian), professional

The successful transformation continues, as the Southland golfers Shawn Stefani and Chris Stroud (both Lamar) and Conference welcomed four additional members in 2013: Colin Montgomerie (HBU), award-winning filmmaker Richard Abilene Christian University, Houston Baptist University, the Linklater (Sam Houston State), American Idol winner Kris Allen University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio, and the University (Central Arkansas), NFL Hall of Famer Jackie Harris (Northwestof New Orleans. ern State), former NFL standouts Bobby Hebert (Northwestern

In addition to its newest members, the Southland also State), Gary Barbaro (Nicholls State), Wilbert Montgomery consists of the University of Central Arkansas, Lamar University, (Abilene Christian) and Gary Reasons (Northwestern State), forMcNeese State University, Nicholls State University, Northwest- mer MLB stars Darryl Hamilton (Nicholls State) and Kevin Millar ern State University, Sam Houston State University, Southeast- (Lamar), NCAA football coach Charlie Strong (Central Arkansas), ern Louisiana University, Stephen F. Austin State University and actors John Larroquette (New Orleans), Ricardo Chavira (UIW) Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. and Jesse Borrego (UIW), and the late NFL coaching legend O.A.

An original Southland member from 1963-73, Abilene “Bum” Phillips (Lamar and Stephen F. Austin). Christian rejoined the league as one of the most decorated The Southland sponsors 17 full championship sports, all at athletic programs in NCAA history, and the addition of Houston the NCAA Division I level. The eight men’s sports include baseball, Baptist, UIW and New Orleans gives the Southland a regular basketball, cross country, football, golf, tennis, and indoor and competitive presence in the key metropolitan areas of Houston, outdoor track and field. The women compete for nine champiSan Antonio and New Orleans. Southland cities encompass ap- onships in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, proximately 14 million people, and six of its television markets indoor and outdoor track and field, and volleyball. The conference rank among the top 100 in the U.S. earns automatic qualification to NCAA championships in baseball,

All told, the membership of the Southland encompasses men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, nearly 140,000 current students and an alumni base of nearly football, men’s and women’s golf, women’s soccer, softball, men’s 800,000. Famous alums from current Southland Conference and women’s tennis, and volleyball. The Southland Bowling schools include former CBS news anchor Dan Rather (Sam League, an affiliated Conference sport, originated in 2015, and Houston State), NBA executive Joe Dumars (McNeese State), four of its members filled out half of the eight-team bracket, with ABC news anchor Robin Roberts (Southeastern Louisiana), Ma- Stephen F. Austin advancing to the national title match.

2020-21 PRESEASON ALL-SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM Name Class Pos. School Hometown

Joe Pleasant Jr. F Abilene Christian Overland Park, Kan. Rylan Bergersen Sr. G Central Arkansas Boise, Idaho Dru Kuxhausen Sr. G McNeese Scottsbluff, Neb. Zach Nutall Jr. G Sam Houston State Bryan, Texas Gavin Kensmil Sr. F Stephen F. Austin Paramarimbo, Suriname

Name

Davion Buster A.J. Lawson DeAndre Jones Troy Green Roti Ware

Class

Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr.

SECOND TEAM Pos. School

G Lamar G McNeese G Central Arkansas G New Orleans G Stephen F. Austin

Hometown

Austin, Texas Bryan, Texas Boise, Idaho St. Rose, La. Morton, Miss.

2020-21 PRESEASON MEN’S BASKETBALL POLL PLACE TEAM (FIRST PLACE VOTES) TOTAL 1. Stephen F. Austin (17) 278 2. Abilene Christian (3) 254 3. Sam Houston State 216 4. Nicholls (1) 209 5. Lamar (3) 199 6. McNeese (2) 177 7. Central Arkansas 153 8. New Orleans 132 9. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 131 10. Northwestern State 123 11. Southeastern La. 68 12. Incarnate Word 64 13. Houston Baptist 23