The Heartland Conference was a collegiate athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)'s Division II level, which was founded in 1999. The majority of members were in Texas, with additional members in Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma. The conference office was located in Waco, Texas.

Heartland Conference
ConferenceNCAA
Founded1999
Ceased2019
CommissionerTony Stigliano (final)
Sports fielded
  • 13
    • men's: 6
    • women's: 7
DivisionDivision II
No. of teams9 (final)
HeadquartersWaco, Texas
RegionSouth Central United States
Official websiteheartlandsports.org
Locations
Location of teams in {{{title}}}

History

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The conference was formed in 1999 by founding members Drury University, University of the Incarnate Word, Lincoln University, Rockhurst University, St. Edward's University, St. Mary's University and Texas Wesleyan University. Oklahoma Panhandle State University and Dallas Baptist University joined in 2002. Founding members Drury and Rockhurst left the Heartland Conference to join the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) in 2005. Western New Mexico University and Montana State University - Billings joined in 2005. However, WNMU re-joined the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in 2006 and MSUB joined the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in 2007. Newman University, Texas A&M International University and the University of Texas of the Permian Basin joined the conference in 2006, making the transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II.[1] The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith joined the conference in the Fall of 2009 after transitioning from the NJCAA.[2] In the fall of 2010, Lincoln left for the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association[3] and Incarnate Word left for the Lone Star Conference.[4] In July 2011, McMurry University announced that it had been accepted as candidate for D-II membership and would join the Heartland Conference in the fall of 2012.[5] In February 2012, Oklahoma Christian University announced its intention to seek membership in NCAA Division II.[6] In Spring 2012, Rogers State University, a member of the NAIA Sooner Athletic Conference, applied for membership.[7] The conference confirmed in July 2012 that Oklahoma Christian's teams would play full conference schedules starting in Fall 2012 and that Rogers State and Lubbock Christian University would begin conference play in 2013-14.[8]

On August 30, 2017, the Lone Star Conference announced that eight of the nine members of the Heartland Conference would join in fall 2019;[9] the remaining member, Newman, announced it would seek other affiliation at that time.[10] On February 8, 2018, Newman announced that it would become an associate member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association beginning in the 2019–20 season.[11] On October 18, 2018 Rogers State decided to join the MIAA instead of the Lone Star.[12]

Chronological timeline

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Member schools

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Final members

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The Heartland had nine final full members, all but three were private schools:

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Colors Joined Left Subsequent
conference(s)
Current
primary
conference
University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Fort Smith, Arkansas 1928 Public 6,713 Lions     2009 2019 Lone Star (LSC)
(2019–2024)
Mid-America (MIAA)
(2024–present)
Dallas Baptist University[a] Dallas, Texas 1898 Baptist 5,500 Patriots       2002[b] 2019 Lone Star (LSC)
(2019–present)
Lubbock Christian University Lubbock, Texas 1957 Churches
of Christ
2,100 Chaparrals &
Lady Chaps
    2013 2019
Newman University Wichita, Kansas 1933 Catholic
(A.S.C.)
2,700 Jets     2006 2019 Mid-America (MIAA)
(2019–present)
Oklahoma Christian University Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 1950 Churches
of Christ
2,479 Eagles &
Lady Eagles
    2012 2019 Lone Star (LSC)
(2019–present)
Rogers State University Claremore, Oklahoma 1909 Public 4,227 Hillcats     2013 2019 Mid-America (MIAA)
(2019–present)
St. Edward's University Austin, Texas 1885 Catholic
(C.S.C.)
5,500 Hilltoppers     1999 2019 Lone Star (LSC)
(2019–present)
St. Mary's University San Antonio, Texas 1852 Catholic
(Marianists)
4,500 Rattlers     1999 2019
Texas A&M International University Laredo, Texas 1969 Public 4,298 Dustdevils     2006 2019
Notes
  1. ^ Non-basketball school on the women's side.
  2. ^ The Dallas Baptist men's basketball team joined the Heartland four years after becoming a full member for other sports (2006–07).

Final affiliate members

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The Heartland had four final affiliate members, all were public schools:

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined Left Colors Heartland
sport(s)
Primary
conference
Eastern New Mexico University Portales, New Mexico 1934 Public 5,574 Greyhounds 2016 2019     men's soccer Lone Star (LSC)
(2019–present)
Midwestern State University Wichita Falls, Texas 1922 6,093 Mustangs    
University of Texas of the Permian Basin[a] Odessa, Texas 1973 3,600 Falcons    
West Texas A&M University Canyon, Texas 1910 8,389 Buffaloes    
Notes
  1. ^ Texas–Permian Basin was a full member in the Heartland from 2006–07 to 2015–16.

Prior full members

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The Heartland had ten former full members, half were public schools and another half were private schools:

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined Left Subsequent
conference(s)
Current
conference
Drury University Springfield, Missouri 1873 UCC & DOC 1,409 Panthers 1999 2005 Great Lakes Valley (GLVC)
(2005–present)
University of the Incarnate Word San Antonio, Texas 1881 Catholic
(C.C.V.I.)
9,366 Cardinals 1999 2010 Lone Star (LSC)
(2010–13)
Southland[a]
(2013–present)
Lincoln University Jefferson City, Missouri 1866 Public 3,583 Blue Tigers 1999 2010 Mid-America (MIAA)
(2010–present)
McMurry University Abilene, Texas 1923 United Methodist 1,430 War Hawks 2012 2014 American Southwest[b]
(2014–present)
Montana State University Billings Billings, Montana 1927 Public 4,600 Yellowjackets 2005 2007 Great Northwest (GNAC)
(2007–present)
Oklahoma Panhandle State University Goodwell, Oklahoma 1909 Public 1,207 Aggies 2002 2017 Sooner (SAC)[c]
(2017–present)
Rockhurst University Kansas City, Missouri 1910 Catholic
(Jesuit)
2,746 Hawks 1999 2005 Great Lakes Valley (GLVC)
(2005–present)
University of Texas of the Permian Basin[d] Odessa, Texas 1973 Public 3,600 Falcons 2006 2016 Lone Star (LSC)
(2016–present)
Texas Wesleyan University Fort Worth, Texas 1890 United Methodist 2,373 Rams 1999 2001 Red River (RRAC)[c]
(2001–13)
Sooner (SAC)[c]
(2013–present)
Western New Mexico University Silver City, New Mexico 1893 Public 3,820 Mustangs 2005 2006 Rocky Mountain (RMAC)
(2006–16)
Lone Star (LSC)
(2016–present)
Notes
  1. ^ Currently an NCAA Division I athletic conference.
  2. ^ Currently an NCAA Division III athletic conference.
  3. ^ a b c Currently an NAIA athletic conference.
  4. ^ Texas–Permian Basin (UTPB) remained in the Heartland as an affiliate member for men's soccer from 2016–17 to 2018–19.

Membership timeline

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Lone Star ConferenceWest Texas A%26M UniversityLone Star ConferenceMidwestern State UniversityLone Star ConferenceEastern New Mexico UniversityMid-America Intercollegiate Athletics AssociationRogers State UniversityLone Star ConferenceLubbock Christian UniversityLone Star ConferenceOklahoma Christian UniversityAmerican Southwest ConferenceMcMurry UniversityLone Star ConferenceUniversity of Arkansas–Fort SmithLone Star ConferenceUniversity of Texas Permian BasinLone Star ConferenceTexas A%26M International UniversityMid-America Intercollegiate Athletics AssociationNewman University (Kansas)Great Northwest Athletic ConferenceMontana State University BillingsLone Star ConferenceRocky Mountain Athletic ConferenceWestern New Mexico UniversityLone Star ConferenceDallas Baptist UniversitySooner Athletic ConferenceOklahoma Panhandle State UniversitySooner Athletic ConferenceRed River Athletic ConferenceTexas Wesleyan UniversityLone Star ConferenceSt. Mary's University, TexasLone Star ConferenceSt. Edwards UniversityGreat Lakes Valley ConferenceRockhurst UniversityMid-America Intercollegiate Athletics AssociationLincoln University (Missouri)Southland ConferenceLone Star ConferenceUniversity of the Incarnate WordGreat Lakes Valley ConferenceDrury University

 Full member (all sports)   Full member (non-football)   Associate member (football-only)   Associate member (sport) 

Sports

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Dallas Baptist's baseball team competed in NCAA Division I for much of its Heartland Conference tenure. At the time the league disbanded, the Patriots were single-sport members of the Missouri Valley Conference.

The Heartland Conference sponsored 13 sports, seven for women and six for men.

A divisional format was used for soccer (M).
North
  • Midwestern State
  • Newman
  • Oklahoma Christian
  • Rogers State
South
  • Dallas Baptist
  • St. Edward's
  • St. Mary's
  • Texas A&M International
West
  • Eastern New Mexico
  • Lubbock Christian
  • Texas–Permian Basin
  • West Texas A&M
Conference sports
Sport Men's Women's
Baseball  Y
Basketball  Y  Y
Cross Country  Y  Y
Golf  Y  Y
Soccer  Y  Y
Softball  Y
Tennis  Y  Y
Volleyball  Y

Men's sponsored sports by school

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School Baseball Basketball Cross
Country
Golf Soccer Tennis Total
HC
Sports
Arkansas–Fort Smith  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 5
Dallas Baptist  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 5
Lubbock Christian  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 5
Newman  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 6
Oklahoma Christian  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 5
Rogers State  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 5
St. Edward's  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 6
St. Mary's  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 5
Texas A&M International  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 5
Totals 8 9 8 9 8 5 47
Affiliate members
Eastern New Mexico  Y 1
Midwestern State  Y 1
Texas–Permian Basin  Y 1
West Texas A&M  Y 1

Women's sponsored sports by school

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School Basketball Cross
Country
Golf Soccer Softball Tennis Volleyball Total
HC
Sports
Arkansas–Fort Smith  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 5
Dallas Baptist  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 5
Lubbock Christian  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 6
Newman  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 7
Oklahoma Christian  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 5
Rogers State  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 5
St. Edward's  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 7
St. Mary's  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 6
Texas A&M International  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 6
Totals 8 8 9 8 7 5 7 52

Other sponsored sports by school

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School Men Women
Baseball Swimming
& Diving
Track
& Field
Indoor
Track
& Field
Outdoor
Wrestling Swimming
& Diving
Track
& Field
Indoor
Track
& Field
Outdoor
Dallas Baptist MVC IND IND IND IND
Newman MIAA
Oklahoma Christian RMAC IND GAC RMAC IND GAC
Rogers State GAC GAC
  • — D-I sport

National championships

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Sport School Year
Men's Basketball Arkansas-Fort Smith 1981
Baseball St. Mary's 2001
Softball St. Mary's 2002
Men's Golf (Individual) Jamie Amoretti (StMU) 2006
Women's Basketball Lubbock Christian 2016, 2019

Arkansas-Fort Smith (as Westark Junior College) won the 1981 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJACC) men's basketball national championship.

St. Mary's won NAIA national championships in Softball (1986) and Men's Basketball (1989).[13]

St. Mary's Men's Golf team was named the Golf Coaches Association of America 2008-2009 Academic National Champions, which St. Mary's treats as a fifth team national.

Dallas Baptist won the 2003 National Christian College Athletic Association Baseball national championship.

Lubbock Christian won NAIA national championships in Baseball (1983 & 2009) and Softball (2008).

References

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  1. ^ "- About the Heartland Conference". Archived from the original on 2009-03-21. Retrieved 2009-03-17.
  2. ^ University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Accepts Invitation to Join Heartland Conference - arkansasbusiness.com - March 2, 2009
  3. ^ Lincoln returns to MIAA - St. Joseph News-Press - February 2, 2009
  4. ^ "LSC to add Incarnate Word in 2010 - www.lonestarconference.org - January 20, 2009". Archived from the original on 2009-03-02. Retrieved 2009-03-11.
  5. ^ "NCAA accepts McMurry's application to transition to Division II - www.mcmurrysports.com - July 12, 2011". Archived from the original on 2012-04-23. Retrieved 2011-07-14.
  6. ^ King, Kevin (February 7, 2012). "Oklahoma Christian To Seek NCAA Division II Membership". KTUL TV. Archived from the original on 2014-03-01. Retrieved February 7, 2012.
  7. ^ Adame, Tony (June 23, 2012). "Newman athletics continues to make progress". Wichita Eagle. Archived from the original on 2014-03-02. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  8. ^ "Heartland Conference - Oklahoma Christian, Lubbock Christian, and Rogers State Earn Right to Join NCAA DII and Heartland Conference". Heartlandsports.org. 2012-07-14. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2015-08-04.
  9. ^ "Lone Star Conference to Add Eight Schools in 2019" (Press release). Lone Star Conference. 2017-08-30. Archived from the original on 2017-08-31. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
  10. ^ "Newman To Explore New Conference Affiliation" (Press release). Newman University Athletics. 2017-08-30. Archived from the original on 2017-08-31. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
  11. ^ "Newman To Compete In MIAA As Associate Member In 2019-20" (Press release). Newman University Athletics. February 8, 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-02-09. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
  12. ^ "Hillcats to join MIAA Conference for 2019-2020 season". RSU Hillcats. October 18, 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-10-19. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  13. ^ "Rattler Athletics Timeline". Archived from the original on 2010-02-27. Retrieved 2009-10-29.