BSC Panthers: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:BSCathletics.jpg|right]] | [[Image:BSCathletics.jpg|right]] | ||
'''Birmingham-Southern College Panthers''' | '''Birmingham-Southern College Panthers''' were the athletic teams for [[Birmingham-Southern College]]. The [[Birmingham-Southern colors|school's colors]] were black and gold. | ||
Once an NAIA powerhouse in baseball, basketball and soccer, the Panthers moved to NCAA Division I in 1999. | Once an NAIA powerhouse in baseball, basketball and soccer, the Panthers moved to NCAA Division I in 1999. After several struggling seasons in the Big South Conference, the college's board of directors decided to move all athletic programs from the scholarship-driven NCAA Division I to the non-scholarship Division III in the spring of [[2006]]. The college's application to join the Division III Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference was approved by a vote of league presidents on [[June 7]], 2006. On [[June 15]], 2006, Athletic Director [[Joe Dean Jr]] announced that, owing to the number of scholarship athletes transferring elsewhere, BSC would not field teams in baseball or men's basketball for the 2006-2007 academic year, meaning that for these sports, Division I participation was over. | ||
Construction for Birmingham-Southern's new athletic complex began in February [[2007]]. Land was cleared for the complex across from the BSC Softball Complex. The stadium | Construction for Birmingham-Southern's new athletic complex began in February [[2007]]. Land was cleared for the complex across from the BSC Softball Complex. The stadium featured state-of-the-art artificial turf with an eight lane regulation track surrounding the field. An athletic building was constructed and included a press box, coach’s offices, meeting rooms, an athletic training room, official’s dressing room and locker rooms for football, lacrosse, track and field, and cross country. | ||
Dean was promoted to senior vice president for advancement in [[2016]], and was succeeded by [[Kyndall Waters]] as athletic director. | Dean was promoted to senior vice president for advancement in [[2016]], and was succeeded by [[Kyndall Waters]] as athletic director. | ||
==Baseball== | ==Baseball== | ||
[[ | {{Main|BSC Panthers baseball team}} | ||
Birmingham-Southern's [[Striplin Field]] was the home of the Panther's baseball team. | |||
The [[2001]] team, led by coach [[Brian Shoop]], won an NAIA National Championship in their final season before moving to the Division I Big South Conference. They claimed regular season championships in that conference in [[2004]] and [[2005]]. When BSC moved to Division III non-scholarship athletics in [[2006]] many players transferred with Shoop to the [[UAB Blazers]]. | |||
The [[2024]] Panthers, led by 17-year head coach [[Jan Weisberg]], advanced to the 2024 NCAA Division III baseball tournament in Eastlake, Ohio, falling to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks in the second round on [[May 31]], the same day that the college officially closed. Blue Eyes Entertainment of Simi Valley, California documented their historic post-season run. | |||
==Basketball== | ==Basketball== | ||
The Panthers and Lady Panthers | The Panthers and Lady Panthers played at [[Bill Battle Colisuem]] on campus. A practice facility and modern locker rooms were located in the adjacent [[Striplin Sports Center]], which was formerly the old gymnasium, renovated in [[2003]]. An underground tunnel connected the Striplin Sports Center with Bill Battle Colisuem. | ||
===Men's basketball=== | ===Men's basketball=== | ||
The men's team | The men's team, coached from [[1989]] to [[2006]] by [[Duane Reboul]], won two national championships while in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), in [[1990]] and [[1995]]. In [[1999]], the Panthers moved to NCAA Division I, and was competitive in the Big South Conference from [[2000]] to [[2006]]. | ||
BSC moved back to non-scholarship athletics in 2006. With most of its players having transferred, the team did not play that fall. The Panthers were later coached by [[Chris Graves]], who succeeded [[Mitch Cole]] in [[2011]]. | |||
===Women's basketball=== | ===Women's basketball=== | ||
[[Brad Hodge]] | [[Brad Hodge]] was the BSC Lady Panthers basketball coach since [[2005]]. | ||
==Soccer== | ==Soccer== | ||
===Men's soccer=== | ===Men's soccer=== | ||
The Panthers | The Panthers were coached by [[Preston Goldfarb]] since [[1983]]. Goldfarb's teams were perennial contenders for the NAIA championship, and were runner-ups in their first season of NCAA Divison I eligibility ([[2003]]). BSC was host to the NAIA national tournament in [[1996]] (at [[Legion Field]]), and on-campus in [[1997]] and [[1998]]. | ||
===Women's soccer=== | ===Women's soccer=== | ||
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==Football== | ==Football== | ||
{{Main|BSC Panthers football}} | |||
[[File:Brooks-BSC football death cartoon 1939.jpg|right|thumb|175px|1939 [[Charles Brooks]] cartoon depicting the impending death of BSC Panthers football program]] | [[File:Brooks-BSC football death cartoon 1939.jpg|right|thumb|175px|1939 [[Charles Brooks]] cartoon depicting the impending death of BSC Panthers football program]] | ||
Birmingham-Southern first fielded a football team in [[1918]], coached by [[Baby Haynes]]. [[Charlie Brown]] coached the team from [[1919]] to [[1923]]. | Birmingham-Southern first fielded a football team in [[1918]], coached by [[Baby Haynes]]. [[Charlie Brown (BSC)|Charlie Brown]] coached the team from [[1919]] to [[1923]]. [[Red Drew|Harold "Red" Drew]] was coach from [[1924]] to [[1927]]. The all-time winningest coach in BSC history, [[Jenks Gillem]], led the Panthers to a 51-43-8 record in 12 seasons from [[1928]] to [[1939]]. Those teams competed in the Dixie League and played their home games at [[Munger Bowl]], later the site of the school's library. | ||
After an almost seven decade absence, the Panthers fielded their [[2007 BSC Panthers football|first football team in 2007]]. | After an almost seven decade absence, the Panthers fielded their [[2007 BSC Panthers football|first football team in 2007]]. Former [[Alabama Crimson Tide]] and [[Birmingham Stallions]] receiver [[Joey Jones]] was named the head [[BSC Panthers football|football]] coach in 2006, after a successful high school coaching career. Jones built the team from scratch for the 2007 season. The Panthers went 1-7 in varsity play, and 2-0 in junior varsity games, with a team made up primarily of freshman and sophomore players. Jones left the program on [[February 14]], [[2008]], accepting the first head coach position for the University of South Alabama. Assistant coach [[Eddie Garfinkle]] was tapped to lead the Panthers for the [[2008 BSC Panthers football|2008 season]]. | ||
==BSC Sports Hall of Fame== | ==BSC Sports Hall of Fame== | ||
The [[BSC Sports Hall of Fame]] was established in [[1981]]. | The [[BSC Sports Hall of Fame]] was established in [[1981]]. Charter inductees included football coach Jenks Gillem, basketball coach [[Bill Battle Jr|Bill Battle]], athletic director [[Ben Englebert]], and three-sport letterman [[Lex Fullbright]]. Other notable inductees include [[Cooper Green]] (1985), [[Larry Striplin Jr]] (1986), [[Art Hanes]] (1993), [[Joe Dean Jr]] (1994), and [[Jabo Waggoner]] (2007). | ||
==References== | |||
* Goodman, Joseph (June 3, 2024) "[https://www.al.com/sports/2024/06/goodman-birmingham-southern-goes-out-with-pride-grace-and-a-final-message.html Birmingham-Southern goes out with pride, grace and a final message]." {{AL}} | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
*[http://www.bscsports.net/index.asp BSC Sports] website | * [http://www.bscsports.net/index.asp BSC Sports] website | ||
[[Category:BSC Panthers|*]] | [[Category:BSC Panthers|*]] | ||
Latest revision as of 12:25, 4 June 2024
Birmingham-Southern College Panthers were the athletic teams for Birmingham-Southern College. The school's colors were black and gold.
Once an NAIA powerhouse in baseball, basketball and soccer, the Panthers moved to NCAA Division I in 1999. After several struggling seasons in the Big South Conference, the college's board of directors decided to move all athletic programs from the scholarship-driven NCAA Division I to the non-scholarship Division III in the spring of 2006. The college's application to join the Division III Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference was approved by a vote of league presidents on June 7, 2006. On June 15, 2006, Athletic Director Joe Dean Jr announced that, owing to the number of scholarship athletes transferring elsewhere, BSC would not field teams in baseball or men's basketball for the 2006-2007 academic year, meaning that for these sports, Division I participation was over.
Construction for Birmingham-Southern's new athletic complex began in February 2007. Land was cleared for the complex across from the BSC Softball Complex. The stadium featured state-of-the-art artificial turf with an eight lane regulation track surrounding the field. An athletic building was constructed and included a press box, coach’s offices, meeting rooms, an athletic training room, official’s dressing room and locker rooms for football, lacrosse, track and field, and cross country.
Dean was promoted to senior vice president for advancement in 2016, and was succeeded by Kyndall Waters as athletic director.
Baseball
Birmingham-Southern's Striplin Field was the home of the Panther's baseball team.
The 2001 team, led by coach Brian Shoop, won an NAIA National Championship in their final season before moving to the Division I Big South Conference. They claimed regular season championships in that conference in 2004 and 2005. When BSC moved to Division III non-scholarship athletics in 2006 many players transferred with Shoop to the UAB Blazers.
The 2024 Panthers, led by 17-year head coach Jan Weisberg, advanced to the 2024 NCAA Division III baseball tournament in Eastlake, Ohio, falling to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks in the second round on May 31, the same day that the college officially closed. Blue Eyes Entertainment of Simi Valley, California documented their historic post-season run.
Basketball
The Panthers and Lady Panthers played at Bill Battle Colisuem on campus. A practice facility and modern locker rooms were located in the adjacent Striplin Sports Center, which was formerly the old gymnasium, renovated in 2003. An underground tunnel connected the Striplin Sports Center with Bill Battle Colisuem.
Men's basketball
The men's team, coached from 1989 to 2006 by Duane Reboul, won two national championships while in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), in 1990 and 1995. In 1999, the Panthers moved to NCAA Division I, and was competitive in the Big South Conference from 2000 to 2006.
BSC moved back to non-scholarship athletics in 2006. With most of its players having transferred, the team did not play that fall. The Panthers were later coached by Chris Graves, who succeeded Mitch Cole in 2011.
Women's basketball
Brad Hodge was the BSC Lady Panthers basketball coach since 2005.
Soccer
Men's soccer
The Panthers were coached by Preston Goldfarb since 1983. Goldfarb's teams were perennial contenders for the NAIA championship, and were runner-ups in their first season of NCAA Divison I eligibility (2003). BSC was host to the NAIA national tournament in 1996 (at Legion Field), and on-campus in 1997 and 1998.
Women's soccer
Benji Walton became the Lady Panthers' soccer coach in December 2006.
Football
Birmingham-Southern first fielded a football team in 1918, coached by Baby Haynes. Charlie Brown coached the team from 1919 to 1923. Harold "Red" Drew was coach from 1924 to 1927. The all-time winningest coach in BSC history, Jenks Gillem, led the Panthers to a 51-43-8 record in 12 seasons from 1928 to 1939. Those teams competed in the Dixie League and played their home games at Munger Bowl, later the site of the school's library.
After an almost seven decade absence, the Panthers fielded their first football team in 2007. Former Alabama Crimson Tide and Birmingham Stallions receiver Joey Jones was named the head football coach in 2006, after a successful high school coaching career. Jones built the team from scratch for the 2007 season. The Panthers went 1-7 in varsity play, and 2-0 in junior varsity games, with a team made up primarily of freshman and sophomore players. Jones left the program on February 14, 2008, accepting the first head coach position for the University of South Alabama. Assistant coach Eddie Garfinkle was tapped to lead the Panthers for the 2008 season.
BSC Sports Hall of Fame
The BSC Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1981. Charter inductees included football coach Jenks Gillem, basketball coach Bill Battle, athletic director Ben Englebert, and three-sport letterman Lex Fullbright. Other notable inductees include Cooper Green (1985), Larry Striplin Jr (1986), Art Hanes (1993), Joe Dean Jr (1994), and Jabo Waggoner (2007).
References
- Goodman, Joseph (June 3, 2024) "Birmingham-Southern goes out with pride, grace and a final message." AL.com
External links
- BSC Sports website