Houston Baptist University has announced that it has accepted an invitation to join the Great West Conference. The formal announcement was made Thursday by HBU President Robert B. Sloan Jr. and Director of Athletics Ron Cottrell.
The Great West Conference, which has been a football-only league since its inception in 2004, has expanded into an all-sports conference, and HBU is one of six independents who have joined in the expansion.
“We are excited about our move into the Great West Conference,” said President Sloan. “The identity that comes with conference membership will impact our entire HBU community, including our faculty, staff, students, and alumni, and help build a stronger campus atmosphere. Our participation in the conference will also provide an array of exciting sporting events for the greater Houston community. We are looking forward to building relationships with the other conference schools and the athletic community at large, and I am especially pleased that our student-athletes and coaches will have the opportunity to participate at the conference level.”
The Huskies, who compete in 15 NCAA Division I sports, will begin Great West Conference play in men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, men's and women's indoor track and field, and men's and women's outdoor track and field in 2008-09. Men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball and women's soccer will follow in 2009-10 with a full complement of conference scheduling and championships. HBU men's soccer will compete in the Atlantic Soccer Conference until a time when the sport may be added to the Great West lineup.
“Obviously this is a big piece of the puzzle in our move back to Division I,” said Cottrell. “Conference affiliation is key to a successful athletic program and will aid in scheduling, fundraising, branding, marketing, recruiting and will give HBU exposure in many areas of the country. We are especially happy that our student-athletes will once again have the opportunity to play for championships and be recognized with post-season honors. We look forward to beginning our relationship with the Great West Conference.”
Schools joining HBU in the expansion are New Jersey Institute of Technology, University of North Dakota, University of South Dakota, University of Texas-Pan American and Utah Valley University. These six schools join with football-only conference members Cal Poly, University of California-Davis and Southern Utah University to make up the nine-member Great West Conference.
Great West Conference - Official Release (6 pages)
Quotes from HBU regarding Great West Conference Membership
Quote from HBU President Robert B. Sloan Jr.
“We are excited about our move into the Great West Conference. The identity that comes with conference membership will impact our entire HBU community, including our faculty, staff, students, and alumni, and help build a stronger campus atmosphere. Our participation in the conference will also provide an array of exciting sporting events for the greater Houston community. We are looking forward to building relationships with the other conference schools and the athletic community at large, and I am especially pleased that our student athletes and coaches will have the opportunity to participate at the conference level.”
Quote from HBU Director of Athletics and Basketball Coach Ron Cottrell
“Obviously this is a big piece to the puzzle in our move back to Division I. Conference affiliation is key to a successful athletic program and will aid in fundraising, branding, marketing, recruiting and will give HBU exposure in many areas of the country. We are especially happy that our student-athletes will once again have the opportunity to play for championships and be recognized with post-season honors. We are excited that we are joining the Great West in only our second year of provisional membership back in Division I. Some schools have to wait many years to find a conference home, and we are happy that we are able to begin conference membership so soon in our process. We look forward to beginning our relationship with the Great West Conference.
Quote from HBU Softball Coach Mary-Ellen Hall
“Joining the Great West Conference is an exciting opportunity. Conference affiliation definitely benefits our student-athletes, and we look forward to the chance to compete again for a conference championship.”
Quote from HBU Volleyball Coach Kaddie Platt
“Being a member of the Great West Conference is an exciting step for our athletic department. The recruiting and scheduling benefits that conference membership provides will be a true asset.”
Quote from HBU Women's Soccer Coach Misty Jones
“I think Great West Conference membership is a wonderful opportunity for our athletes to participate in a competitive conference. Conference membership provides a tremendous advantage in recruiting and will elevate the intensity and foster healthy rivalries with other conference teams.”
Quote from HBU Baseball Coach Jared Moon
“I believe this is a great opportunity for our university. Conference affiliation will give us a true identity within the NCAA. It will also give our student-athletes a chance at competing for and winning a title again.”
Quote from HBU Women's Basketball Coach Todd Buchanan
“This is a great move for our athletic program as well as our entire university. HBU will receive exposure throughout a very broad spectrum and gives us an identity across the country. As a coach, first and foremost I feel this move will be priceless in the realm of recruiting! With this move our student-athletes will be able to again pursue a championship.”
Quote from HBU Golf Coach David Shuster
“Conference membership allows our players to compete for a title at the end of a long year of work. It seems that one of the first questions that I get asked is what conference are you in, and now I can pr
