The Shawnee State Bears are the athletic teams that represent Shawnee State University, located in Portsmouth, Ohio, in intercollegiate sports as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the River States Conference (RSC). The Bears joined the RSC in 2023[1] after 13 years in the Mid-South Conference (MSC).[2] The Bears previously competed in the defunct American Mideast Conference (AMC) from 1991–92 to 2009–10; and as an NAIA Independent from 1986–87 (when the school began its athletics program and joined the NAIA) to 1990–91.
| Shawnee State Bears | |
|---|---|
 | |
| University | Shawnee State University |
| Association | NAIA |
| Conference | River States |
| Athletic director | Gerald Cadogan |
| Location | Portsmouth, Ohio |
| Varsity teams | 13 |
| Basketball arena | Frank and Janis Waller Gymnasium |
| Baseball stadium | Branch Rickey Park |
| Softball stadium | Boone Coleman Field |
| Soccer stadium | Shawnee Turf |
| Nickname | Bears |
| Colors | Midnight Blue, Gray, and White |
| Website | www |
Overview
editThe Shawnee State athletics program was established in 1986. The Bears have participated in 25 national championships and 17 conference championships in 7 of 11 sponsored sports.
Accomplishments
editThe SSU women’s basketball team won the NAIA Division II National Championship on March 16, 1999 with an 80-65 win over the University of Saint Francis (Indiana).[3]
The SSU men's basketball team won the NAIA National Championship on March 23, 2021 with an 74-68 win over the Lewis-Clark State College.[4]
Varsity teams
editShawnee State competes in 13 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer and track & field (outdoor); while women's sports include basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field (outdoor) and volleyball. Former sports included men's tennis.
Championships
editNAIA National Championships:
| Basketball (Women's) | 1999 |
| Basketball (Men's) | 2021 |
Other athletic highlights
edit- 1992 - softball team finishes 10th in NAIA National Tournament[5]
- 1995 - softball team finishes 8th in NAIA National Tournament[5]
- 1995 - women's basketball, NAIA National Tournament Final Four[6]
- 1996 - softball team finishes as NAIA National Tournament Runners-up[5]
- 1998 - softball team finishes 9th in NAIA National Tournament[5]
- 1999 - women's basketball team won the NAIA Division II National Championship[6]
- 2001 - softball team finishes 9th in NAIA National Tournament:[5]
- 2008 - men's cross country team finishes 11th in NAIA National Championships:[7]
- 2008 - women's cross country team finishes 13th in NAIA National Championships:[8]
- 2021 - men's basketball team won the NAIA National Championship[4]
References
edit- ^ "Shawnee State approved for RSC membership" (Press release). River States Conference. September 14, 2022. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
- ^ "SHAWNEE STATE UNIVERSITY :: Athletics". Archived from the original on 2010-05-27. Retrieved 2010-08-12.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-23. Retrieved 2008-11-25.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ a b "Shawnee State wins program's first NAIA Tournament title". AP NEWS. 2021-03-24. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
- ^ a b c d e SSU Athletic Department. "SSU Softball - Quick Facts". Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-06-25.
- ^ a b SSU Athletic Department. "SSU Women's Basketball - Quick Facts". Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-06-25.
- ^ SSU Athletic Department. "SSU Men's Cross Country - Quick Facts". Archived from the original on 2008-12-02. Retrieved 2008-12-17.
- ^ SSU Athletic Department. "SSU Women's Cross Country - Quick Facts". Archived from the original on 2009-05-06. Retrieved 2008-12-17.