 |
| Southwest Baptist Bearcats | |
|---|---|
 | |
| University | Southwest Baptist University |
| Conference | GLVC |
| NCAA | Division II |
| Athletic director | Mike Pitts |
| Location | Bolivar, Missouri |
| Varsity teams | 18 |
| Football stadium | Plaster Stadium |
| Basketball arena | Jane and Ken Meyer Sports and Wellness Center |
| Nickname | Bearcats |
| Colors | Purple and white |
| Website | www |
The Southwest Baptist University Bearcats are the sports teams of Southwest Baptist University located in Bolivar, Missouri. They participate in the NCAA's Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC). The Bearcats had competed in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) since 1986. In 2014, the Bearcats as well as the Lincoln Blue Tigers began competing in the GLVC as a football member-only team.[1]
In fall 2016, Southwest Baptist University became one of the first 15 colleges and universities in the nation to offer esports as a varsity athletics program, with scholarships available. SBU is a charter member of the Collegiate Esports Association (CESPA).[2]
On May 31, 2018, Southwest Baptist announced it would be withdrawing its membership from the MIAA to join the Great Lakes Valley Conference full-time, effective July 1, 2019.[3]
SBU began a varsity Cheer and Stunt team beginning in the 2018–19 season.[4]
The next sports to be added will be men's and women's swimming & diving and men's volleyball, all in 2025–26.[5]
- ^ "Great Lakes Valley Conference". glvcsports.com.
- ^ "SBU Launches Varsity eSports Program for Fall 2016". Southwest Baptist University. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
- ^ "Southwest Baptist joining GLVC". May 31, 2018. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
- ^ "Southwest Baptist University Adding STUNT As a Sport in 2018–19". Southwest Baptist University. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
- ^ "SBU Athletics Adding NCAA Swimming, Men's Volleyball" (Press release). Southwest Baptist Bearcats. May 16, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.