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 | |
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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 |
The 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.
The 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]
Shawnee 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.
NAIA National Championships:
Basketball (Women's) | 1999 |
Basketball (Men's) | 2021 |
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