MSU Billings to Leave PacWest, Join Heartland Conference (Feb. 3, 2005)

BILLINGS, MT – Dr. Gary Gray, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Montana State University-Billings, announced Thursday that the school will join the Heartland Conference beginning with the 2005-2006 academic year.  MSU Billings, which currently competes in the Pacific West Conference, has been an NCAA Division II member for over 25 years.

The Heartland Conference is an NCAA Division II conference based in Texas and includes Dallas Baptist University, University of the Incarnate Word (San Antonio), Lincoln University (Jefferson City, MO), Panhandle State University (Goodwell, OK), St. Edward’s University (Austin, TX), and St. Mary’s University (San Antonio).  Also joining the Heartland beginning next year will be current PacWest member Western New Mexico University.

The move by MSU Billings and Western New Mexico to the Heartland comes after months of negotiations between various parties.  The Heartland invited MSU Billings and Western New Mexico to join in October.  Since that time, numerous scenarios were explored, including an invitation from the Pacific West Conference to the four schools in Texas to join the PacWest.  The PacWest includes BYU-Hawaii, Chaminade University, Hawaii Pacific University, and University of Hawaii-Hilo.

On Wednesday the schools from Texas announced their decision to remain in the Heartland Conference and not join the PacWest, reopening the opportunity for MSU Billings and Western New Mexico to move to the Heartland.  MSU Billings Chancellor Dr. Ronald Sexton announced the school’s decision to join the Heartland Thursday afternoon, as did the President of Western New Mexico, Dr. John Counts.

“We are very excited about joining the Heartland Conference, and we look forward to the many new relationships that will be developed among our student-athletes and coaches, and those of the Heartland schools,” said Sexton.  “The Heartland Conference consists of many fine institutions and we are pleased to join them.”

Joining the Heartland is seen as beneficial to the Yellowjacket Athletics Department for various reasons.  The move is believed to assist in cost containment since Yellowjacket teams will no longer incur rising travel costs to Hawaii.  In addition, women’s basketball—one of the school’s most successful programs—will have a conference affiliation and conference schedule for the first time since 2000-2001.

“This is the result of good faith efforts by many people,” said Gray.  “In meetings we held with the public last fall, we received very favorable responses to the potential move.  I believe the Heartland is happy to have us because we are a long standing member of NCAA Division II, and we are glad to join the Heartland and its many outstanding programs.”

Dallas Baptist at a Glance
Location:  Dallas, TX
Enrollment:  4,538
Mascot:  Patriots
Founded:  1898
Men’s Sports:  Baseball, Cross-Country, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track & Field
Women’s Sports:  Cross-Country, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball
Athletics Phone:  (214) 333-5324 

Incarnate Word at a Glance
Location:  San Antonio, TX
Enrollment:  4,300
Mascot:  Cardinals
Founded:  1881
Men’s Sports:  Baseball, Basketball, Cross-Country, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track & Field
Women’s Sports:  Basketball, Cross-Country, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Volleyball, Synchronized Swimming
Athletics Phone:  (210) 829-6053 

Lincoln University at a Glance
Location:  Jefferson City, MO
Enrollment:  3,600
Mascot:  Blue Tigers
Founded:  1866
Men’s Sports:  Baseball, Basketball, Football, Golf, Track & Field
Women’s Sports:  Basketball, Cross-Country, Softball, Tennis
Director of Athletics:  Tim Abney
Athletics Phone:  (573) 681-5336 

Montana State-Billings at a Glance
Location:  Billings, MT
Enrollment:  4,669
Mascot:  Yellowjackets
Founded:  1927
Men’s Sports:  Basketball, Cross-Country, Golf, Soccer, Tennis
Women’s Sports:  Basketball, Cross-Country, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Volleyball
Director of Athletics:  Dr. Gary Gray
Athletics Phone:  (406) 657-2369 

Panhandle State at a Glance
Location:  Goodwell, OK
Enrollment:  1,300
Mascot:  Aggies
Founded:  1909
Men’s Sports:  Baseball, Basketball, Football, Golf
Women’s Sports:  Basketball, Cross-Country, Golf, Volleyball
Director of Athletics:  Jerry Olson
Athletics Phone:  (580) 349-2611 

St. Edward’s at a Glance
Location:  Austin, TX
Enrollment:  4,500
Mascot:  Hilltoppers
Founded:  1852
Men’s Sports:  Baseball, Basketball, Golf, Soccer, Tennis
Women’s Sports:  Basketball, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Volleyball
Athletics Phone:  (512) 448-8480 

St. Mary’s at a Glance
Location:  San Antonio, TX
Enrollment:  4,500
Mascot:  Rattlers
Founded:  1852
Men’s Sports:  Baseball, Basketball, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track & Field
Women’s Sports:  Basketball, Cross-Country, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Volleyball
Athletics Phone:  (210) 436-3528

Western New Mexico at a Glance
Location:  Silver City, NM
Enrollment:  2,500
Mascot:  Mustangs
Founded:  1893
Men’s Sports:  Basketball, Cross-Country, Football, Golf, Tennis
Women’s Sports:  Basketball, Cross-Country, Golf, Softball, Tennis, Volleyball
Director of Athletics:  Scott Woodard
Athletics Phone:  (505) 538-6218