Southwestern University is a private liberal arts college in Georgetown, Texas. It was founded in 1840 and is the oldest university in Texas. Southwestern University is not a Division I (D1) school. It is a Division III (D3) school, which means that it competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division III level.
Athletics at Southwestern University
Southwestern University has a strong athletic program. The Pirates compete in 19 varsity sports, including baseball, basketball, football, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, and volleyball. The Pirates have won numerous conference championships and have made several NCAA tournament appearances.
Southwestern University is a member of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC). The SCAC is a Division III conference that includes 13 schools in Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. The Pirates have won the SCAC Commissioner’s Cup, which is awarded to the school with the best overall athletic program, 14 times in the past 16 years.
Why Isn’t Southwestern University D1?
There are several reasons why Southwestern University is not a D1 school. First, Southwestern University is a small school. It has an undergraduate enrollment of just over 1,500 students. D1 schools typically have much larger enrollments, with many having over 10,000 students.
Second, Southwestern University is a private school. D1 schools are typically public schools. Private schools have less money to spend on athletics than public schools.
Finally, Southwestern University is located in a small town. D1 schools are typically located in large cities. This gives them access to a larger pool of potential recruits.
Benefits of Being a D3 School
There are several benefits to being a D3 school. First, D3 schools have smaller class sizes. This allows students to get more individual attention from their professors. Second, D3 schools have a more relaxed academic atmosphere. This gives students more time to focus on their studies and other activities. Third, D3 schools emphasize sportsmanship and fair play. This creates a positive and supportive environment for student-athletes.
Southwestern University does not have a D1 football team. The Pirates football team competes in the SCAC. The Pirates have won the SCAC football championship 11 times, including the past three seasons.
Southwestern University’s football stadium is named after former coach Joe Aillet. Aillet was the head coach of the Pirates from 1968 to 1999. He led the Pirates to eight SCAC championships and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.
Southwestern University does not have a D1 basketball team. The Pirates basketball team competes in the SCAC. The Pirates have won the SCAC basketball championship 10 times, including the past four seasons.
Southwestern University’s basketball arena is named after former coach Doc Sadler. Sadler was the head coach of the Pirates from 1999 to 2006. He led the Pirates to three SCAC championships and was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.
Southwestern University does not have a D1 baseball team. The Pirates baseball team competes in the SCAC. The Pirates have won the SCAC baseball championship 13 times, including the past two seasons.
Southwestern University’s baseball stadium is named after former coach Ed Smith. Smith was the head coach of the Pirates from 1962 to 1998. He led the Pirates to nine SCAC championships and was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1999.
Southwestern University does not have a D1 softball team. The Pirates softball team competes in the SCAC. The Pirates have won the SCAC softball championship 12 times, including the past three seasons.
Southwestern University’s softball field is named after former coach Bob Steveson. Steveson was the head coach of the Pirates from 1984 to 2006. He led the Pirates to eight SCAC championships and was inducted into the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2008.
Southwestern University is a Division III school. It is a small, private school located in a small town. Southwestern University has a strong athletic program, but it does not have any D1 teams. There are several benefits to being a D3 school, including smaller class sizes, a more relaxed academic atmosphere, and an emphasis on sportsmanship and fair play.