Shawnee State Bears
Athletic teams representing Shawnee State University
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The Shawnee State Bears are the athletic teams that represent Shawnee State University, located in Portsmouth, Ohio, in intercollegiate sports. They are a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the River States Conference (RSC). The Bears joined the RSC in 2023[2] after 13 years in the Mid-South Conference (MSC).[3] The Bears previously competed in the defunct American Mideast Conference (AMC) from 1991–92 to 2009–10; and as an NAIA Independent from 1986–87 (when the school began its athletics program and joined the NAIA) to 1990–91. In the 2026–27 academic year, the Shawnee State teams will join the Mountain East Conference (MEC) pending their acceptance into NCAA Division II.[4]
| Shawnee State Bears | |
|---|---|
| |
| University | Shawnee State University |
| Association | NAIA |
| Conference | River States (MEC in 2026)[1] |
| Athletic director | Gerald Cadogan |
| Location | Portsmouth, Ohio |
| Varsity teams | 20 (9 men's, 10 women's, 1 co-ed) |
| Football stadium | Spartan Municipal Stadium (beginning in 2028) |
| Basketball arena | Frank and Janis Waller Gymnasium |
| Baseball stadium | Branch Rickey Park |
| Softball stadium | Boone Coleman Field |
| Soccer stadium | Shawnee Turf |
| Nickname | Bears |
| Colors | Midnight Blue, Gray, and White |
| Website | www |
The Shawnee State athletics program was established in 1986. The Bears have participated in 25 national championships and 17 conference championships in 7 of 11 sponsored sports.
Varsity teams
Shawnee State competes in 20 intercollegiate varsity sports:
| Men's sports | Women's sports |
|---|---|
| Baseball | Basketball |
| Basketball | Bowling |
| Bowling | Cross country |
| Cross country | Golf |
| Golf | Soccer |
| Soccer | Softball |
| Swimming | Swimming |
| Tennis | Tennis |
| Track and field1 | Track and field1 |
| Volleyball | |
| Co-ed sports | |
eSports | |
| 1 – includes both indoor and outdoor | |
They will add football in the 2027–28 academic year after they join the MEC.[4]
Club sports
Apart from the varsity teams, the university has a men's volleyball club.[5]
Accomplishments
The SSU women’s basketball team won the NAIA Division II National Championship on March 16, 1999, with an 80-65 win over the University of Saint Francis (Indiana).[6]
The SSU men's basketball team won the NAIA National Championship on March 23, 2021, with an 74-68 win over the Lewis-Clark State College.[7]
National championships
NAIA
| Sport | Titles | Competition | Winning years | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basketball (men's) | 1 | National championship – Div. I | 2021 | [8] |
| Basketball (women's) | 1 | National championship – Div. II | 1999 | [9] |
Other athletic highlights
- 1992 - softball team finishes 10th in NAIA National Tournament[10]
- 1995 - softball team finishes 8th in NAIA National Tournament[10]
- 1995 - women's basketball, NAIA National Tournament Final Four[11]
- 1996 - softball team finishes as NAIA National Tournament Runners-up[10]
- 1998 - softball team finishes 9th in NAIA National Tournament[10]
- 1999 - women's basketball team won the NAIA Division II National Championship[11]
- 2001 - softball team finishes 9th in NAIA National Tournament:[10]
- 2008 - men's cross country team finishes 11th in NAIA National Championships:[12]
- 2008 - women's cross country team finishes 13th in NAIA National Championships:[13]
- 2021 - men's basketball team won the NAIA National Championship[7]
