
Cumberland University's basketball team, the Phoenix (formerly known as the Bulldogs until 2016), has enjoyed success in recent years. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and primarily competes in the Mid-South Conference (MSC). The women's basketball team reached the NAIA quarterfinals in 2014 and made it to the semifinals in 2013. The men's team won the Mid-South Conference Tournament in 2017. Cumberland University was granted provisional membership in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) in 2013, paving the way for the university to apply to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for admittance into Division II in February 2014.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the basketball team | The Phoenix (formerly known as the Bulldogs until 2016) |
| Cumberland University's membership | National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) |
| Primary competition | Mid-South Conference (MSC) |
| Previous stints in MSC | 1996-97 to 2001-02 |
| Previous competitions | TranSouth Athletic Conference (2002-03 to 2011-12); Tennessee Collegiate Athletic Conference (1986-87 to 1995-96) |
| Number of intercollegiate varsity sports | 23 |
| Men's sports | Baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, track & field, volleyball, and wrestling |
| Women's sports | Basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball |
| Cumberland University's application in 2014 | National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II |
| Women's basketball team's achievements | NAIA National Tournament Runner-Up in 2007; NAIA quarterfinals in 2014; Undefeated in the regular season in 2013 and 2017 |
| Men's basketball team's achievements | Won the Mid-South Conference Tournament in 2017 |
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What You'll Learn

Cumberland University basketball teams
Cumberland University's athletic teams are called the Phoenix, formerly known as the Bulldogs until 2016. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and has been competing in the Mid-South Conference (MSC) since the 2012-13 school year. The Phoenix previously competed in the TranSouth Athletic Conference (TranSouth or TSAC) from 2002-03 to 2011-12 and in the Tennessee Collegiate Athletic Conference (TCAC) from 1986-87 to 1995-96.
Cumberland University has a rich basketball history, with both men's and women's teams achieving notable success over the years. The men's basketball team has had notable coaches such as Cliff Ellis, who led the team to a 78-12 record from 1973 to 1975. The court in Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena was named after him in 2018 to honour his achievements. The men's team won the 2017 Mid-South Conference Tournament, showcasing their talent and dominance in the conference.
The women's basketball team has also left its mark, finishing as the NAIA National Tournament Runner-Up in 2007 and reaching the semifinals again in 2013. The 2014 season saw them advance to the NAIA quarterfinals, and the 2017 team went undefeated in the regular season before falling in the Mid-South Conference finals.
In addition to their basketball achievements, Cumberland University's athletic programme offers a range of other sports. The men's sports include baseball, bowling, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling. The women's sports mirror many of these, with bowling, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball on offer. The university's wrestling programme has produced four individual champions, and the tennis team achieved a notable ranking in 2022, reaching the National Tournament as the 16th-ranked men's team in the nation.
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Cumberland's athletic conference
Cumberland University's athletic teams are called the Phoenix, formerly known as the Bulldogs until 2016. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and has been competing primarily in the Mid-South Conference (MSC) since the 2012-13 school year.
Cumberland University has a rich history of athletic excellence, with individuals being inducted into the Cumberland University Sports Hall of Fame for their achievements and contributions. The university's basketball court in Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena is named after Cliff Ellis, who coached the team to a remarkable 78-12 record from 1973 to 1975. The women's basketball team has also achieved notable success, finishing as NAIA National Tournament Runner-Up in 2007 and reaching the semifinals in 2013.
In addition to basketball, Cumberland University competes in 23 intercollegiate varsity sports. Men's sports include baseball, bowling, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, track & field, volleyball, and wrestling. The baseball program, led by head coach Woody Hunt from 1980 to 2021, has produced three MLB players: Jack Farmer, Luis Martinez, and Aaron Wilkerson. The wrestling program has also excelled, with four individual champions: Keith Cupp (174 lbs.), Corey Bleaken (157 lbs.), and Jake Williams (149 lbs.), who won multiple championships.
Women's sports at Cumberland University include basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball. The university's cycling team has also achieved success, with a top-ten finish at the National Collegiate Cycling Association's National Championship.
Cumberland University was granted provisional membership in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) in 2013, allowing them to apply to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for admittance into Division II. The university has also been affiliated with other athletic conferences in the past, including the TranSouth Athletic Conference (TranSouth or TSAC) and the Tennessee Collegiate Athletic Conference (TCAC).
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Cumberland's basketball court name
The University of the Cumberlands' basketball court is named after Randy Vernon, a former NAIA Hall of Fame Men's Basketball Coach and Athletic Director. The court, located in the O. Wayne Rollins Center, was renamed in 2019 following renovations. The university's athletic teams are called the Phoenix, and they compete in the Mid-South Conference (MSC).
Cumberland University has a strong basketball tradition, with the women's basketball team finishing as NAIA National Tournament Runner-Up in 2007 and reaching the semifinals in 2013. The men's team won the Mid-South Conference Tournament in 2017. The university has also produced several notable athletes and coaches, including three MLB players and coaches who have gone on to work with other institutions.
In 2018, the university named the basketball court in the Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena after Cliff Ellis, who coached the team to a 78-12 record from 1973 to 1975. The team previously competed as the Bulldogs until 2016 when they changed their name to the Phoenix.
Cumberland University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and has competed in the MSC since the 2012-13 school year. The university offers 23 intercollegiate varsity sports, including basketball for both men and women. In addition to their athletic achievements, Cumberland University also has a strong focus on community engagement, having hosted a conference basketball game in 2010 to raise funds for cancer charities.
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The university's basketball alumni
Cumberland University is a private university in Lebanon, Tennessee, founded in 1842. The university's athletic teams are called the Phoenix (formerly the Bulldogs until 2016), and they compete in 23 intercollegiate varsity sports.
The women's basketball team has had notable success, finishing as NAIA National Tournament Runner-Up in 2007 and reaching the semifinals in 2013. The 2014 team advanced to the NAIA quarterfinals, and the 2017 team went undefeated in the regular season before falling in the Mid-South Conference finals.
Cumberland University's basketball program has a rich history, with alumni going on to achieve excellence in coaching and contributing to the sport beyond their time at the university. The university's basketball court honours the achievements of Cliff Ellis, recognising the impact he had during his time as coach.
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Cumberland's basketball team achievements
The Cumberland University men's and women's basketball teams have had several notable achievements over the years. The teams compete in the Mid-South Conference (MSC) as part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
The men's basketball team won the 2017 Mid-South Conference Tournament. The women's team has also experienced success, finishing as the NAIA National Tournament Runner-Up in 2007 and reaching the semifinals in 2013. The 2014 women's team reached the NAIA quarterfinals, and the 2017 team went undefeated in the regular season before losing in the Mid-South Conference finals.
In addition to these achievements, Cumberland University has a rich athletic history. The university's athletic teams, known as the Phoenix, compete in 23 intercollegiate varsity sports. The university was granted provisional membership in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) in 2013, which paved the way for its application to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II in 2014.
The university has produced several notable athletes and coaches, including three MLB players: Jack Farmer, Luis Martinez, and Aaron Wilkerson. The women's basketball team has also achieved success under the guidance of coaches like Cliff Ellis, who led the team to a 78-12 record from 1973 to 1975, and the basketball court in Dallas Floyd Phoenix Arena was named after him in 2018.
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Frequently asked questions
Cumberland University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and competes in the Mid-South Conference (MSC).
The Cumberland University basketball team is called the Phoenix (formerly known as the Bulldogs until 2016).
Cumberland University has both a men's and a women's basketball team.
The Cumberland University women's basketball team has had several notable successes, including reaching the NAIA National Tournament Runner-Up in 2007 and the semifinals in 2013. The men's team won the Mid-South Conference Tournament in 2017.











































