Longwood is going BIG in 2012!
On January 23, officials of the Big South Conference announced that Longwood University will become the League's 12th member as of July 1, 2012. Now Longwood moves into a new era of Lancer Athletics as a full member of the Big South Conference.
As Longwood's Director of Athletics proudly put it,
"Now the games truly begin."
"The student-athletes, coaches, and athletics staff members now have a place to call home. My thanks go to the Longwood family and all of the individuals who helped to elevate Longwood during our time as an Independent. This moment would not be possible without their support. Now that we have found conference affiliation, the future of Longwood Athletics is brighter than ever, and I am excited to be a part of it."
~Longwood Director of Athletics
Troy Austin
Why the Big South Conference?
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Longwood fits the big south profile
Big South schools such as Radford, VMI, and Liberty have long been Longwood’s peers, now the University joins them in the actual field of competition along with a group of fantastic institutions of like mind and academic mission.
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Geographically , the big south makes sense
All conference competition can be traveled to by bus. The closest institution, Liberty, is located in nearby Lynchburg, only a short ride west on 460.
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The chance to dance
Student-athletes can now realize the full experience of being a Division I student-athlete, earning team and individual honors while competing for conference championships and the opportunity to play in the NCAA Tournament.
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Increase school spirit
The local in-state conference rivalries, the regular competition against conference foes and the opportunity to compete for NCAA postseason play will help boost school spirit.
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Reduce missed class time
Longwood’s Division I opponents dedicate a portion of their schedule for conference competition, as a result, Longwood had an extremely difficult time scheduling competitions on weekends to avoid missed class time.
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Raise the profile of Longwood University
The Big South Conference has enjoyed many successes and joining the Big South will put Longwood on the national stage.
Why we still need your support!
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Academic excellence
Longwood seeks excellence in both academics and athletics; therefore the goal is to stand atop the Big South Conference in academics in addition to winning conference championships.
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Student-athlete scholarships
While the number of scholarships awarded to Lancer student-athletes has more than doubled since 2002, Longwood still needs your help to meet the scholarship funding challenge.
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Enhance the brand
The Big South Online Network requires live video streams of all men’s and women’s basketball games and select competitions, which allows supporters everywhere to cheer on the Lancers.
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Facility standards
Longwood’s facilities are comparable to its Big South Conference peers in many areas, but institutions are constantly upgrading facilities and the University must continue to upgrade their facilities to succeed in the Big South Conference.
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No state money
The Commonwealth of Virginia remains one of the few states in which no state money can be used for athletic-related expenses.
