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American Southwest Conference

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American Southwest Conference
NameAmerican Southwest Conference
Established1996
AssociationNational Collegiate Athletic Association
DivisionNCAA Division III
Members11
Sports18
RegionSouth Central United States
HeadquartersRichardson, Texas
CommissionerJennifer Braziel

American Southwest Conference. The American Southwest Conference is an intercollegiate athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA Division III. Founded in 1996, its member institutions are primarily located in the states of Texas and Arkansas. The conference sponsors championships in 18 sports and is known for its competitive play across a wide range of men's and women's athletics.

History

The conference was founded in 1996 with charter members including Texas–Dallas, Hardin–Simmons University, and McMurry University. Its creation was part of a broader reorganization within NCAA Division III to better align institutions by size and philosophy across the South Central United States. Early expansion saw the addition of schools like Mary Hardin–Baylor and Mississippi College, though membership has shifted over time with departures such as Texas–Tyler to the Lone Star Conference and Texas–Brownsville. The conference office has been headquartered in Richardson, Texas since its inception, with Jennifer Braziel serving as commissioner.

Member institutions

The conference currently comprises 11 full member institutions. The membership is divided into East and West divisions for certain sports. Full members from Texas include Texas–Dallas, Hardin–Simmons University, McMurry University, Mary Hardin–Baylor, Concordia University Texas, University of the Ozarks, East Texas Baptist University, LeTourneau University, and Sul Ross State University. Members from Arkansas are Texas–Dallas and University of the Ozarks. Associate members, such as Schreiner University for men's and women's golf, participate in specific sports.

Sports sponsored

The conference sponsors championship competition in nine men's and nine women's sports. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, and track and field (indoor and outdoor). Women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field (indoor and outdoor), and volleyball. The conference does not sponsor ice hockey, wrestling, or lacrosse, with some member institutions competing independently or in other leagues for those sports.

Conference champions

Annual champions are crowned in each sponsored sport, with tournaments held for baseball, basketball, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball. Mary Hardin–Baylor has been particularly dominant in football, winning multiple titles and advancing to the Stagg Bowl. Hardin–Simmons University has a strong tradition in women's soccer, while Texas–Dallas often excels in baseball and tennis. Teams winning conference championships earn automatic qualification to NCAA Division III national championship tournaments.

Facilities

Member institutions feature a variety of athletic venues, including Crusader Stadium at Mary Hardin–Baylor for football and Shelton Stadium at Hardin–Simmons University. Notable basketball and volleyball arenas are the Mabee Complex at McMurry University and the Texas–Dallas Activity Center. Baseball is played at venues like Cecil Ballow Baseball Complex at Texas–Dallas and Walt Driggers Field at East Texas Baptist University. Many facilities have undergone recent renovations to support the conference's competitive standards.

Notable alumni

Conference alumni have achieved success in professional sports, coaching, and other fields. Professional football players include Kyle Blakely from Hardin–Simmons University and several graduates from Mary Hardin–Baylor who have played in the NFL. In baseball, Brett Carlson from Texas–Dallas was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers. Notable coaches include Vance Miller, a longtime successful football coach at East Texas Baptist University. Many alumni are also recognized in academia and business, such as NASA engineer and McMurry University graduate John D. Olivas.

Category:NCAA Division III conferences Category:Athletic conferences in the United States Category:Sports in Texas Category:Sports in Arkansas Category:1996 establishments in Texas