The Washburn Ichabods are the athletic teams that represent Washburn University, located in Topeka, Kansas, in intercollegiate sports as a member of the NCAA Division II ranks, primarily competing in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) since the 1989–90 academic year. The Ichabods previously competed in the Central States Intercollegiate Conference (CSIC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 1976–77 to 1988–89; in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) from 1972–73 to 1975–76; in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) from 1968–69 to 1971–72; in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIC) from 1940–41 to 1967–68 (which they were a member on a previous stint from 1923–24 to 1932–33); as an Independent from 1933–34 to 1939–40; and in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) from 1902–03 to 1922–23.

Washburn Ichabods
Logo
UniversityWashburn University
ConferenceThe MIAA
NCAADivision II
Athletic directorLoren Ferré
LocationTopeka, Kansas
Varsity teams16
Football stadiumYager Stadium at Moore Bowl
Basketball arenaLee Arena
Baseball stadiumFalley Field
MascotIchabod Washburn
NicknameIchabods
ColorsYale blue and white[1]
   
Websitewusports.com

Nickname

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The "Ichabods" nickname is named after the university's contributor Ichabod Washburn, who was also the founder of Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Prior to the 2013–14 season, the women's athletic teams were known as the "Lady Blues". On May 24, 2013, the Lady Blues nickname was dropped.[2] President Farley stated that "From the moment a student arrives on campus, until the time they graduate and are alumni, they are "Ichabods", not a "Lady Blue"."[3]

Varsity teams

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Washburn competes in 16 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, tennis and track & field (indoor and outdoor); while women's sports include basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball.

Men's sports Women's sports
Baseball Basketball
Basketball Cross country
Cross country Soccer
Football Softball
Golf Tennis
Tennis Track and field
Track and field Volleyball
† – Track and field includes both indoor and outdoor

Basketball

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Washburn's mascot, the Ichabod

Men's

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Washburn claims one national championship. Washburn won five straight games to claim the 1925 AAU National Championship, becoming the fourth school to claim an AAU title (joining Utah (1916), N.Y.U. (1920), and Butler (1924). They defeated St. Phillips Athletic Club, 34–11, in the final. In 1987, the Washburn men's basketball team defeated West Virginia State 79–77 to win the NAIA national championship at Kemper Arena in Kansas City.

Women's

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Coached by Ron McHenry since 2000, the Ichabods posted a record of 35–2, setting a school record for wins and capturing the NCAA Women's Division II Basketball National Championship by defeating Seattle Pacific University 70–53.

Football

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Washburn began playing Football in 1891 with a record of 1 win and 4 losses. In 1907, under Garfield Weede the team completed a perfect season of 8 wins and 0 losses to be declared champions of the Kansas Conference, forerunner to the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. The program has won 8 conference championships in its history.[4]

The current head coach is Craig Schurig, who has held the position since the start of the 2002 season and led his team to a victory in the Mineral Water Bowl in 2004.[5] Former coaches at Washburn include John H. Outland, Garfield Weede, Bert Kennedy, Dick Godlove, Ellis Rainsberger, Harold "Bud" Elliott, Tony DeMeo.

Notable alumni

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References

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  1. ^ Washburn Athletics Identity Standards and Style Guide (PDF). August 15, 2019. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  2. ^ "Washburn Athletics".
  3. ^ "Washburn Athletics". Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  4. ^ Washburn Football Media Guide
  5. ^ "Excelsior Springs Mineral Water Bowl". mineralwaterbowl.net.
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