Heartland Conference

Heartland Conference
Heartland Conference
Established	1999
Dissolved	2019
Association	NCAA
Division	Division II
Members	9 (final)
Sports fielded	13 men's: 6; women's: 7; ;
Region	South Central United States
Headquarters	Waco, Texas
Commissioner	Tony Stigliano (final) (since 1999)
Website	heartlandsports.org
Locations

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.

History[]

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]

Member schools[]

Final members[]

Institution	Location	Founded	Enrollment	Nickname	Joined	Left	Current primary conference
University of Arkansas – Fort Smith	Fort Smith, Arkansas	1928	6,713	Lions	2009	2019	Lone Star
Dallas Baptist University	Dallas, Texas	1898	5,500	Patriots	2002
Lubbock Christian University	Lubbock, Texas	1957	2,100	Chaparrals & Lady Chaps	2013
Newman University	Wichita, Kansas	1933	2,700	Jets	2006		Mid-America
Oklahoma Christian University	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	1950	2,479	Eagles & Lady Eagles	2012		Lone Star
Rogers State University	Claremore, Oklahoma	1909	4,227	Hillcats	2013		Mid-America
St. Edward's University	Austin, Texas	1885	5,500	Hilltoppers	1999		Lone Star
St. Mary's University	San Antonio, Texas	1852	4,500	Rattlers	1999
Texas A&M International University	Laredo, Texas	1969	4,298	Dustdevils	2006

Final affiliate members[]

Institution	Location	Founded	Enrollment	Nickname	Joined	Left	Heartland sport(s)	Primary conference
Eastern New Mexico University	Portales, New Mexico	1934	5,574	Greyhounds	2016–17	2018–19	Men's soccer	Lone Star
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

^ Texas–Permian Basin was a full member in the Heartland from 2006–07 to 2015–16.

Prior full members[]

Institution	Location	Founded	Nickname	Joined	Left	Current conference
Drury University	Springfield, Missouri	1873	Panthers	1999	2005	GLVC
University of the Incarnate Word	San Antonio, Texas	1881	Cardinals	1999	2010	Southland (NCAA D-I) (WAC in 2022)
Lincoln University (MO)	Jefferson City, Missouri	1866	Blue Tigers	1999	2010	Mid-America
McMurry University	Abilene, Texas	1923	War Hawks	2012	2014	American Southwest (NCAA D-III)
Montana State University Billings	Billings, Montana	1927	Yellowjackets	2005	2007	Great Northwest
Oklahoma Panhandle State University	Goodwell, Oklahoma	1909	Aggies	2002	2017	Sooner (NAIA)
Rockhurst University	Kansas City, Missouri	1910	Hawks	1999	2005	GLVC
Texas Wesleyan University	Fort Worth, Texas	1890	Rams	1999	2001	Sooner (NAIA)
Western New Mexico University	Silver City, New Mexico	1893	Mustangs	2005	2006	Lone Star

Membership timeline[]

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

Sports[]

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[]

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[]

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[]

School	Men					Women
School	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[]

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[]

^ "- About the Heartland Conference". Archived from the original on 2009-03-21. Retrieved 2009-03-17.
^ University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Accepts Invitation to Join Heartland Conference - arkansasbusiness.com - March 2, 2009
^ Lincoln returns to MIAA - St. Joseph News-Press - February 2, 2009^{[permanent dead link]}
^ "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.
^ "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.
^ 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.
^ 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.
^ "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.
^ "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.
^ "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.
^ "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.
^ "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.
^ "Rattler Athletics Timeline". Archived from the original on 2010-02-27. Retrieved 2009-10-29.

External links[]

Official website

[13] Texas–Permian Basin was a full member in the Heartland from 2006–07 to 2015–16.

[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^{[permanent dead link]}

[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.

[McMurrayJoins-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.

[14] "Rattler Athletics Timeline". Archived from the original on 2010-02-27. Retrieved 2009-10-29.

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v NCAA Division II all-sports conferences
Atlantic	Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Mountain East Conference Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Independent — Bluefield State College Salem University
Central	Great American Conference Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
East	Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference East Coast Conference Northeast-10 Conference
Midwest	Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Great Lakes Valley Conference Great Midwest Athletic Conference
South	Gulf South Conference Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Sunshine State Conference
South Central	Lone Star Conference Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
Southeast	Conference Carolinas Peach Belt Conference South Atlantic Conference
West	California Collegiate Athletic Association Great Northwest Athletic Conference Pacific West Conference
Division II	Independents