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Abilene Christian University's (ACU) basketball team, the Wildcats, has been a part of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) since 2021, when they moved away from the Southland Conference. The Wildcats have been a part of NCAA Division I since 2013, and have appeared in the NCAA Division I tournament twice, with a record of 1-2. They have also appeared in the NCAA Division II tournament nine times, with a record of 9-11. ACU's basketball program has been successful, with the men's team ranked 13th in the collegeinsider.com Mid-Major Poll.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| University | Abilene Christian University |
| Team Name | Wildcats |
| Location | Abilene, Texas |
| Division | NCAA Division I |
| Conference | Western Athletic Conference (WAC) |
| Previous Conference | Southland Conference |
| Men's Team Achievements | 11th most combined wins (109) in Division I since 2018 |
| Women's Team Achievements | One of three teams to qualify for the NCAA Tournament in 2019 |
| Home Arena | Moody Coliseum |
| Head Coach | Brette Tanner |
| Tournament Appearances | Division I: 2, Division II: 9, CBI: 1, CIT: 2 |
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What You'll Learn
ACU Basketball Teams
Abilene Christian University (ACU) in Abilene, Texas, is home to the ACU Wildcats, the university's men's and women's NCAA Division I basketball teams. The Wildcats have been playing in Division I since 2013, having previously competed in NCAA Division II.
The men's basketball team has had notable success in recent years, appearing in the NCAA Division I tournament twice. In 2019, they won the Southland Conference and earned their first Division I tournament appearance. They recorded their first tournament win in 2021, upsetting the #3 seeded Texas team 53-52. The team has also appeared in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) once and the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT) twice.
In 2021, the ACU Wildcats men's and women's basketball teams made a historic move to the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), joining four other NCAA Division I institutions. This transition provided the opportunity for increased exposure, automatic bids to national championships, and a platform for the university to attract students and student-athletes.
The Wildcats men's basketball team is led by head coach Brette Tanner and plays its home games at the Moody Coliseum. The team is known for its strong defensive capabilities and has achieved notable rankings in recent years. ACU's women's basketball team has also found success, with the combined wins of both basketball programs placing ACU 11th in Division I since 2018.
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ACU's Move to the WAC
Abilene Christian University (ACU) has been a part of Division 1 for seven years. In 2021, ACU announced that it would be joining the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in intercollegiate competition, along with four other NCAA Division I institutions: Lamar, Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin, and Southern Utah. This move was considered a milestone for the university, transitioning from the Southland Conference, which it co-founded in 1973 and rejoined in 2013.
The expanded WAC will host championship competitions in two divisions. ACU will be part of the Southwest Division, which includes Lamar, SHSU, SFA, Tarleton State, and Texas-Rio Grande Valley. The West Division will feature California Baptist, Dixie State, Grand Canyon, New Mexico State, Seattle, Southern Utah, and Utah Valley universities.
Dr. Phil Schubert, ACU President, expressed excitement about the move, citing the WAC's history and visibility, as well as the benefits of expanded geographic reach, increased TV and tournament exposure, and automatic bids to national championships and postseason play. Schubert also highlighted ACU's strong athletics program and its exceptional academic reputation, which has gained increased national recognition.
The WAC commissioner, Jeff Hurd, shared Schubert's enthusiasm, stating, "I cannot overstate my level of excitement in making this expansion announcement." ACU's move to the WAC promises exciting opportunities for Wildcat sports, with Ward commenting on the potential for WAC basketball and the return of WAC football.
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Previous Conference Memberships
Abilene Christian University (ACU) sponsors teams in seven men's and eight women's NCAA-sanctioned sports. The university has had several conference memberships over the years.
In 1923, ACU applied for admission to the Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association. However, funding for the athletic department prevented them from joining sooner. In 1973, ACU left the Southland Conference, which it had co-founded, to join the Lone Star Conference (LSC) of NCAA Division II. The Wildcats remained members of the LSC for 40 years until 2013, when they returned to the Southland Conference.
In 2013, ACU rejoined the Southland Conference as one of four new members, marking their most recent conference change before joining the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). During their time in the Southland Conference, the Wildcats won the conference championship in 2019, earning their first Division I NCAA Tournament appearance.
On January 14, 2021, ACU was announced as one of five future members of the WAC, alongside three other Southland members from Texas: Lamar, Sam Houston, and Stephen F. Austin. This move was considered historic, as it signified a significant expansion and strengthening of the WAC's national basketball brand. ACU and the other institutions officially joined the WAC on July 1, 2021, a year earlier than initially planned.
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ACU's Basketball Achievements
Abilene Christian University (ACU) in Abilene, Texas, has a strong basketball tradition, with both men's and women's NCAA Division I sports teams. The ACU Wildcats men's basketball team has had some notable achievements in recent years.
In 2019, the Wildcats won the Southland Conference, earning their first Division I NCAA Tournament appearance. This was a significant milestone for the team, as they had only recently rejoined the Southland Conference after a 40-year absence. Led by head coach Brette Tanner, the Wildcats played their home games at the Moody Coliseum, creating an exciting atmosphere for their fans.
The ACU Wildcats recorded their first tournament win in 2021, pulling off an impressive upset against the third-seeded Texas team with a score of 53-52. This victory marked a historic moment for the team and the university. The Wildcats have now appeared in the NCAA Division I tournament twice, showcasing their competitiveness and determination.
Additionally, ACU's basketball achievements are not solely measured by wins and losses. The university promotes a culture of health and wellness, encouraging students to stay active and engage in sports. The ACU Intramural Sports program offers opportunities for students of all skill levels to participate in basketball and other sports, fostering a sense of community and school spirit.
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ACU's Other Athletic Offerings
Abilene Christian University (ACU) has a range of athletic offerings for its students. The university's sports teams compete in NCAA Division I, with competitive men's and women's teams. ACU's basketball teams play in the newly renovated Moody Coliseum, while the football team plays at the new Anthony Field at Wildcat Stadium.
In addition to these varsity sports offerings, ACU also provides a range of other athletic opportunities for its students. The university encourages students to stay active and offers a variety of intramural sports leagues and a spacious recreation centre. Every student, regardless of skill level, can participate in intramural sports such as basketball, volleyball, flag football, esports, and even the ACU Intramural Rodeo, where students can wrestle a steer.
The university's athletic facilities include the Powell Fitness Centre, an 8,000-square-foot space dedicated to strength and conditioning for Wildcat student-athletes. The centre, which opened in 1993, has undergone renovations to stay up-to-date. The Teague Centre, opened in 1999, is named after the university's ninth president and his wife. It serves as the home for Wildcat men's and women's basketball and women's volleyball teams. It also includes offices, labs, and indoor tennis courts.
The Jones Tennis Building, which opened in 2018, is the home of Wildcat tennis and overlooks the Eager Tennis Pavilion and 10 outdoor courts. The Elmer Gray Stadium, opened in 2015, is named after a former student-athlete who competed in the Olympic Trials and is the home of Wildcat track and field, as well as women's soccer. The Crutcher Scott Field is the venue for Wildcat baseball enthusiasts, named after an ACU benefactor and member of the ACU Sports Hall of Fame.
With a variety of athletic offerings, ACU ensures that students can stay active, healthy, and proud Wildcats.
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Frequently asked questions
The Abilene Christian Wildcats, representing Abilene Christian University (ACU), play in NCAA Division I.
The Wildcats joined the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in 2021, having previously played in the Southland Conference.
The men's team has appeared in the NCAA Division I tournament twice, winning one game. They have also appeared in the NCAA Division II tournament nine times. The women's team has been successful too, with ACU being one of three teams to qualify both men's and women's teams for the NCAA Tournament in 2019.
