Dallas to join SCAC

Soon the University of Dallas will stand side-by-side with Hendrix and other SCAC opponents.
University of Dallas athletics photo
More than a decade after leaving the American Southwest Conference with hopes of getting into the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference, the University of Dallas will do so. The SCAC announced today that the school has accepted an invitation to join the conference. Currently a Division III independent, Dallas will join the SCAC at the beginning of the 2011-12 academic year.
An opening was created when DePauw elected to leave the SCAC for the North Coast Athletic Conference following the upcoming season.

"We are excited and very pleased to have the University of Dallas join the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference," said SCAC commissioner Dwayne Hanberry. "Our foremost goal, when seeking a new member, was to find an institution that shares the vision of our membership, which is a commitment to the overall educational experience where athletics serves as a proper compliment to academics. We are confident that Dallas shares this same vision."

Dallas, which currently sponsors 14 of 21 SCAC sports, has been a Division III independent since leaving the American Southwest Conference following the 2000-01 season, but played basketball in the NEAC the past two years and participates in the SLIAC in other sports as an associate member. The Crusaders were 5-7 against SCAC teams last season in men's basketball en route to going 12-14 and 5-6 in women's basketball in a 15-13 season.

"I am appreciative of this opportunity that the SCAC has offered the University of Dallas," said athletics director Dick Strockbine. "Dallas already enjoys a scheduling relationship with several SCAC institutions in a variety of sports. We look forward to establishing those same relationships with the rest of the membership."

Dallas sponsors 14 intercollegiate varsity programs, including: baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's outdoor track & field and volleyball.