Lander Bearcats
The Lander Bearcats are the athletic teams that represent Lander University, located in Greenwood, South Carolina, in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sporting competitions.
| Lander Bearcats | |
|---|---|
| University | Lander University |
| Conference | Peach Belt Conference |
| NCAA | Division II |
| Athletic director | Brian Reese |
| Location | Greenwood, South Carolina |
| Varsity teams | 13 (17 in 2019–20) |
| Basketball arena | Horne Arena |
| Baseball stadium | Dolny Stadium |
| Soccer stadium | Van Taylor Field |
| Nickname | Bearcats |
| Colors | Royal Blue and Gold[1] |
| Website | www |
The Bearcats compete as members of the Peach Belt Conference for all 13 of their current varsity sports. Lander has been a member of the Peach Belt since 1990.
The school will add four sports not sponsored by the Peach Belt for the 2019–20 school year, three for men and one for women. Lacrosse will be added for both men and women,[2] with men's volleyball joining a previously existing women's team in that sport[3] and wrestling[4] added for men only.
Varsity teams
| Men's Sports | Women's Sports |
|---|---|
| Baseball | Basketball |
| Basketball | Cross Country |
| Cross Country | Golf |
| Golf | Lacrosse* |
| Lacrosse* | Soccer |
| Soccer | Softball |
| Tennis | Tennis |
| Volleyball* | Volleyball |
| Wrestling* | |
| *These sports will begin competing in the 2019-2020 Academic Year. | |
Individual teams
Men's basketball
In March 2007, Lander won the Peach Belt Conference Men's Basketball tournament. They advanced to the NCAA tournament against the defending national champions, Virginia Union. The Lander women's basketball team won the Peach Belt regular season title in 2008 and conference tournament title in 2008 and 2009.
Women's basketball
In March 2008, The Lander Lady Bearcats competed in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight in the national tournament and have been involved in the NCAA tournaments every year except for 2012. The Lander Lady Bearcat compete on the East side of the Peach Belt Conference. The Women's basketball team is led by Head Coach Kevin Pederson who reached his 250th career win at Lander University in 2018.\
The Lander Lady Bearcats were back to back East side conference champions in the 2015-16 & 2016-17 seasons and in their 2015-16 season they also went on to win their conference tournament and cut down nets at Columbus State University, their current rivals. Over the course of the last four years (2014-2018) Lander has yet to finish at rank below 3rd place in their conference.
Over the course of the last 4 years the Lady Bearcats have been the facilitators of 2 PBC record holders in , Tyesha Reynolds and Breshay Johnson. Breshay Johnson holds the record for most points scored by a single player in the PBC as well as having a player of the year accolade in her belt. Tyesha tied the record for most points scored in a single game by a single player in Lander history.
National championships
Team
| Association | Division | Sport | Year | Opponent/Runner-Up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCAA | Division II | Men's Tennis[5] (8) | 1993 | Hampton | 5–2 |
| 1994 | Hampton | 5–3 | |||
| 1995 | North Florida | 4–2 | |||
| 1996 | Rollins | 4–1 | |||
| 1997 | West Florida | 5–1 | |||
| 1998 | Barry | 5–1 | |||
| 1999 | Barry | 5–1 | |||
| 2000 | Hawaii Pacific | 5–2 |
References
- "Lander Bearcat Logo Usage". Retrieved February 13, 2017.
- "Lander Athletics to add men's and women's lacrosse" (Press release). Lander Athletics. May 22, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
- "Lander Athletics to add men's volleyball in 2019-20" (Press release). Lander Athletics. June 15, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
- "Lander Athletics announces addition of men's wrestling program" (Press release). Lander Athletics. May 29, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
- "Division II Men's Tennis Championship Results" (PDF). NCAA. NCAA.org. Retrieved May 21, 2015.