Flagler Saints

Flagler Saints
University	Flagler College
Conference	Peach Belt Conference
NCAA	Division II
Athletic director	Jud Damon
Location	St. Augustine, Florida
Varsity teams	15
Basketball arena	Flagler Gymnasium
Baseball stadium	Drysdale Field
Nickname	Saints
Colors	Crimson and gold[1]
Website	www.flaglerathletics.com

The Flagler Saints are the athletic teams that represent Flagler College, located in St. Augustine, in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports. The Saints compete in the Peach Belt Conference, and have 15 varsity sports. They have been members of the Peach Belt Conference since 2009.

History[]

Flagler College was founded in 1968 and its athletics teams started in the 1973-74 academic year. The first sports at Flagler were: men's and women's basketball, men's cross country, men's soccer, slow-pitch softball, men's and women's tennis, volleyball and baseball. In 1977, Flagler's athletic programs became members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics NAIA and in 1990 became charter members of the Florida Sun Conference (now known as The Sun Conference). On February 14, 2006, Flagler announced its official move to NCAA Division II and on July 1, 2009 announced its membership in the Peach Belt Conference.^[2]

Varsity teams[]

Women's tennis[]

Flagler has won five NAIA national titles in women's tennis (1987, 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1991) and was the national runners-up in 1992.^{[3][circular reference]}

Women's volleyball[]

The volleyball team has won the Peach Belt Conference regular conference title 5 times (2009–11 and 2016–17) and won the conference tournament 6 times (2009–11 and 2015–17). Flagler volleyball has made it to NCAA Regional Tournament 7 times (2009–12 and 2015–17) winning the Southeast Regional title in 2009, 2011, and 2017. The 2011 team made it to the Elite 8 while the 2009 and 2017 teams made it to the Final 4. Taylor Mott won the Coach of the Year Award in the Peach Belt Conference 3 times (2009–11).

Men's tennis[]

The men's tennis program claimed the NAIA national title in 1977 and 1986. They were the national runner-up in 1985.^{[4][circular reference]}

Men's basketball[]

The men's basketball teams competed in the NAIA national tournament three times (2003, 2004 and 2005) and advanced to the second round in the last two trips. The Saints were ranked in the NAIA Top 25 at least once every year from 1995-2006, with the exception being 1999.

Facilities[]

Flagler Gymnasium[]

Since 1976, the Flagler Gymnasium has been home to the men's and women's basketball and women's volleyball programs. The gymnasium seats 1,750 spectators. Over the past decade, Flagler Gym has received a number of physical improvements and modifications and equipment upgrades. The weight room is equipped with free weights and state-of-the-art Cybex equipment. In the summer of 1998, a new pro-style maple floor was installed which was refurbished over the summer of 2006 and the new athletics logo is the centerpiece of the floor. The locker rooms were rebuilt in 2005. Men's basketball, women's basketball and women's volleyball all have their own locker rooms and there is an additional visitor's locker room. Also constructed were new offices for four coaches and an athletic training room. The volleyball and men's and women's basketball coaches have offices located in the front of the gym.

Drysdale field[]

The baseball field, Drysdale Field, was dedicated April 12, 2011 before the Flagler-Savannah College of Art and Design game. The field is named in honor of Walter Irvine Drysdale (1905–93), a native of St. Augustine. "Driz" as he was called, was a star athlete in high school and went on to the University of Florida where he played freshman football. He gave tennis lessons at the Ponce de Leon and Alcazar Hotels, was a club champion golfer and was a catcher on the St. Augustine Saints professional baseball team.

References[]

External links[]

• Official website

Coordinates: 29°53′33″N 81°18′55″W / 29.89237°N 81.31522°W / 29.89237; -81.31522