Florida Southern Moccasins

Last updated
Florida Southern Moccasins
Florida southern mocs logo.png
University Florida Southern College
Conference Sunshine State (primary)
NCAA Division II
Athletic directorDrew Howard
Location Lakeland, Florida
Varsity teams23 (10 men's, 12 women's, 1 co-ed)
Basketball arenaGeorge W. Jenkins Field House
Baseball stadium Henley Field
Softball stadiumChris Bellotto Field
Soccer stadiumBerend Field
Aquatics centerNina B. Hollis Wellness Center Pool
Lacrosse stadiumBerend Field
Tennis venueWynee Warden Tennis Center
MascotMocsie
NicknameMoccasins
ColorsScarlet and white [1]
   
Website fscmocs.com
Team NCAA championships
30

The Florida Southern Moccasins (also shortened to Florida Southern Mocs) are the athletic teams that represent Florida Southern College, located in Lakeland, Florida, in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports. The Moccasins compete as members of the Sunshine State Conference in 17 varsity sports. Florida Southern has been a member of the conference since its founding in 1975. Florida Southern also competes as independents six other sports.

Contents

Varsity teams

Men's sportsWomen's sports
BaseballBasketball
BasketballBeach volleyball
Cross countryCross country
GolfGolf
LacrosseLacrosse
SoccerSoccer
SwimmingSoftball
TennisSwimming
TrackTennis
Water skiingTrack
EsportsVolleyball
Equestrian
Esports
Water skiing
† – Track includes both indoor and outdoor

Men's basketball

The men's basketball program has experienced significant success since the inception of the SSC in 1975. The Mocs have won the SSC regular season 22 times and have also been crowned SSC Tournament Champions 22 times. FSC, which won consecutive regular and postseason titles from 2012–2014, leads the SSC in conference wins (310), and owns the best winning percentage of any current member (.711).

The men's basketball team made three straight trips to the Final Four from 1980 to 1982, finishing third in 1980, winning the 1981 national title with a 73–68 win over Mount St. Mary's, and finishing as national runner-up in 1982, falling to University of the District of Columbia, 73–63. [2] The Mocs took the national title again in 2015 with a 77–62 win over Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and Kevin Capers was named tournament MVP and first team all-American. [3]

Baseball

The 2013 baseball team during a game FSC Mocs vs. University of North Alabama (8484429762).jpg
The 2013 baseball team during a game

The Mocs baseball program has won 17 SSC baseball championships and nine national championships (1971, 1972, 1975, 1978, 1981, 1985, 1988, 1995, and 2005). The team has also finished as national runner up four times (1979, 1982, 1984, 1994). The Moccasins finished the 2014 season 35–19, and as runner-up at the NCAA South Regional Tournament. In addition to NCAA play, the baseball team traditionally plays an exhibition game against the Detroit Tigers, who conduct their Spring Training in Lakeland. The head coach since 2013 is former Florida Southern and MLB player Lance Niekro, son of MLB pitcher Joe Niekro and nephew of MLB pitcher Phil Niekro. The Moccasins have had 13 MLB draft picks and many free agent MLB signees under Coach Niekro. [4]

Golf

Men

The men's golf program has won 13 NCAA National Championships (1981, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1990, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2010, 2017), finished as national runner ups 3 times (1979, 1984, 1988), and produced nine individual national champions: 1979 (Tom Gleeton), 1981 (Tom Patri), 1986 (Lee Janzen), 1999 (Matt Saglio), 2000 (Jeff Klauk), 2013 (Tim Crouch), 2014 (Tim Crouch), 2018 (John VanDerLaan), and 2019 (Michael VanDerLaan). Among the more successful Moccasin alumni are PGA Tour members Rocco Mediate, Lee Janzen and Jeff Klauk.

Women

The women's golf team has won four national championships (2000, 2001, 2002, 2007). From 1998 to 2004, the team played in the finals each year, winning three consecutive championships (2000, 2001, 2002). In the seven seasons between 1996 and 2002, the program produced three two-time individual national champions (five consecutive): Shanna Nagy 1996 & 1998, Lisa Cave 1999 & 2000, and Jana Peterkova 2001 & 2002.

Men's swimming

The men's swimming program has also experienced success at the national level placing third in 2012 and 2016 and runner-up in 2013 and 2014.

Esports

In November 2017, Florida Southern announced their journey into collegiate Esports — the first varsity program of its kind in Florida. Senior, Nathan Carson was selected to serve as the head coach for the Mocs in their inaugural year. In January 2018, the Moccasins announced rosters for Hearthstone and League of Legends. In August 2018, the Mocs Esports team introduced two additional teams competing in Overwatch and Rocket League.

Football

The Florida Southern Moccasins football team represented the college in the sport of American football from 1912 to 1935, with a break during the 1918 season. The team's overall record was 57–70–8. [5] From 1926 to 1930 it was a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association. [6] In 1913, Florida Southern lost to Florida 1440. In 1919, Southern upset the Gators 70. [7] [8]

Championships

Florida Southern's athletic program is one of the most prolific in Division II sports with 30 national championships, including in men's golf (13), baseball (9), women's golf (4), men's basketball (2), softball (1), and women's lacrosse (1). Moccasin athletes have also captured 22 individual NCAA National Championships, including 8 in men's golf, 6 in women's golf, 5 in women's swimming, and 3 in men's swimming. Florida Southern's most recent championship came in 2016 when the women's lacrosse team won its first NCAA title. The college competes in 20 sports, 9 for men, 10 for women, and 1 co-ed sport.

AssociationDivisionSportYearOpponent/Runner-upScore/Points
NCAA (30) Division II (30) Baseball (9)1971 Central Michigan 4–0
1972 Cal State Northridge 5–1
1975 Marietta 10–7
1978 Delta State 7–2
1981 Eastern Illinois 9–0
1985 Cal Poly Pomona 15–5
1988 Sacramento State 5–4
1995 Georgia College 15–0
2005 North Florida 12–9
Men's Basketball (2) 1981 Mount Saint Mary's 73–68
2015 Indiana (PA) 77–62
Men's Golf (13)1981 U.S. International 1,184–1,219 (-35)
1982 Southwest Texas State 1,181–1,191 (-10)
1985 Stephen F. Austin 1,192–1,202 (-10)
1986 Columbus 1,196–1,207 (-11)
1990Columbus1,170–1,196 (-26)
1991Columbus1,166–1,190 (-24)
1995 USC Aiken 1,204–1,214 (-10)
1996USC Aiken1,178–1,187 (-9)
1998Columbus State1,168–1,175 (-7)
1999USC Aiken1,125–1,157 (-32)
2000 Cal State Bakersfield
Grand Canyon
1,140–1,169 (-29)
2010 Central Missouri 1,206–1,213 (-7)
2017 Lynn 3–2
Women's Golf (4)2000 Rollins 1,259–1,266 (-7)
2001Rollins1,250–1,266 (-16)
2002 Barry 1,234–1,308 (-74)
2007Rollins1,188–1,198 (-10)
Women's Lacrosse (1)2016 Adelphi 8–7
Softball (1) 1993 Augustana (SD) 11–5

Notable alumni

Baseball

Men's basketball

Women's basketball

Men's golf

Men's soccer

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida Gators</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of the University of Florida

The Florida Gators are the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent the University of Florida, located in Gainesville. The University of Florida, its athletic program, its alumni and its sports fans are often collectively referred to as the "Gator Nation." The Gators compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and are consistently ranked among the top college sports programs in the United States. The University of Florida currently fields teams in nine men's sports and twelve women's sports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tennessee Volunteers</span> University of Tennessee athletic teams

The Tennessee Volunteers and Lady Volunteers are the 20 male and female varsity intercollegiate athletics programs that represent the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Volunteers compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). In January 2021, Danny White was introduced as the Volunteers' Director of Athletics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Tennessee at Chattanooga</span> Public university in Chattanooga, Tennessee, US

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is a public university in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States. It was founded in 1886 and is part of the University of Tennessee System.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunshine State Conference</span> College athletic conference in Florida, US

The Sunshine State Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division II level. All of its member institutions are located in the state of Florida, which is popularly known as the Sunshine State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lance Niekro</span> American baseball player (born 1979)

Lance William Niekro is an American baseball coach and former first baseman, who is the current head baseball coach of the Florida Southern Moccasins. He played college baseball at Florida Southern for coach Chuck Anderson from 1999 to 2000 and then played four seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2003 to 2007. After his playing career concluded, he served as an assistant coach at Florida Southern and then was elevated to the head coach position on May 9, 2012. He is the son of MLB pitcher Joe Niekro and nephew of MLB pitcher Phil Niekro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indiana Hoosiers</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of Indiana University Bloomington

The Indiana Hoosiers are the intercollegiate sports teams and players of Indiana University Bloomington, named after the demonym for people from the state of Indiana. The Hoosiers participate in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in 24 sports and became a member of the Big Ten Conference on December 1, 1899. The school's official colors are cream and crimson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Georgia Bulldogs</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of University of Georgia

The Georgia Bulldogs are the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent the University of Georgia. The Bulldogs compete in NCAA Division I and are members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The official mascot is an English Bulldog named Uga,, while the costumed character version of Uga is Hairy Dawg. Most of the school's athletic teams are known as the Bulldogs, with the exception of the women's basketball team, known as the "Lady Bulldogs", the women's gymnastics team, known as the "GymDogs", and the team also being referred to as "The Dawgs".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Illinois State Redbirds</span> Collegiate sports club in the United States

The Illinois State Redbirds are the athletic teams that represent Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. Teams play at the NCAA Division I level. The football team competes in the Missouri Valley Football Conference while most other teams compete in the Missouri Valley Conference. The fight song is Go, You Redbirds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Florida Bulls</span> University of South Florida athletic team

The South Florida Bulls are the athletic teams that represent the University of South Florida. USF competes in NCAA Division I and is a member of the American Athletic Conference for all sports besides sailing, a non-NCAA sanctioned varsity sport which competes in the South Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association within the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association. Additionally, the school will become an affiliate member of Conference USA in the sport of beach volleyball beginning in 2025 because the American Athletic Conference does not sponsor the sport. The current athletic director is Michael Kelly, who has held the job since 2018. The school colors are green and gold and the mascot is Rocky D. Bull.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. John's Red Storm</span> Athletics teams of St. Johns University

The St. John's Red Storm is the nickname used for the 17 varsity athletic programs of St. John's University, in the U.S. state of New York. St. John's 17 NCAA Division I teams compete in the Big East Conference, with the exception of the fencing team, which compete in the ECAC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charleston Cougars</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of College of Charleston

The Charleston Cougars are the varsity intercollegiate athletic teams representing the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina. The Cougars compete in NCAA Division I and are currently members of the Coastal Athletic Association. The university sponsors 20 varsity sports teams including men and women's basketball, cross country, golf, soccer and tennis; women's-only dance team, equestrian, beach volleyball, softball, track and field and volleyball; men's-only baseball; and co-ed sailing and cheerleading. The university's most successful sports are co-ed sailing, which has won 14 national championships since 1986, women's volleyball, which has qualified for the NCAA Tournament seven times since 2002 and men's baseball, which has qualified for the NCAA Tournament seven times since 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Furman Paladins</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of Furman University

The Furman Paladins are the varsity athletic teams representing Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, in intercollegiate athletics.

Evansville, Indiana is the home to two minor league professional sports teams and one amateur sports team. The city is also the home to two NCAA collegiate teams, and nine high schools that participate in the Indiana High School Athletic Association. Evansville is also the host to the annual Hoosier Nationals and Demolition City Roller Derby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tampa Spartans</span> Athletic teams representing the University of Tampa, located in Tampa, Florida

The Tampa Spartans are the athletic teams that represent the University of Tampa, located in Tampa, Florida, in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports. The Spartans compete as members of the Sunshine State Conference for all sports besides beach volleyball and track and field, which compete as independents. Tampa has been a member of the conference since 1981.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Chester Golden Rams</span> West Chester University of Pennsylvania sports teams

The West Chester Golden Rams represent West Chester University of Pennsylvania, which is located in West Chester, Pennsylvania, in intercollegiate sports. They compete in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) in NCAA Division II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barry Buccaneers</span> Athletic teams representing Barry University

The Barry Buccaneers are the athletic teams that represent Barry University, located in Miami Shores, Florida, United States, in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports. The Buccaneers compete as members of the Sunshine State Conference. Barry has been a member of the SSC since 1988. Barry University currently competes in 18 intercollegiate sports for men and women, with men's volleyball becoming the 19th sport in 2024–25.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida Tech Panthers</span> Athletic teams representing Florida Institute of Technology

The Florida Tech Panthers are the athletic teams that represent the Florida Institute of Technology, located in Melbourne, Florida, in intercollegiate athletics at the NCAA Division II ranks, primarily competing in the Sunshine State Conference since the 1981–82 academic year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sonoma State Seawolves</span> Athletic teams representing Sonoma State University

The Sonoma State Seawolves are the athletic teams that represent Sonoma State University, located in Rohnert Park, California, in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports. The Seawolves compete as members of the California Collegiate Athletic Association for all 11 varsity sports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flagler Saints</span> Athletic teams representing Flagler College

The Flagler Saints are the athletic teams that represent Flagler College, located in St. Augustine, Florida, in intercollegiate sports at the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the Peach Belt Conference since the 2009–10 academic year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Georgia Nighthawks</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of University of North Georgia

The North Georgia Nighthawks are the athletic teams that represent the University of North Georgia, located in Dahlonega, Georgia, in intercollegiate sports at the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the Peach Belt Conference since the 2005–06 academic year. North Georgia's rifle team competes at the Division I level as affiliate members of the Southern Conference (SoCon).

References

  1. "Florida Southern College Athletics Style Guide" . Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  2. "Championships" (PDF). p. 23. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
  3. Bowker, Paul D. (March 28, 2015). "Gutsy championship". NCAA.com. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
  4. "Florida Southern College Drafted Players". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  5. "Florida Southern Moccasins". cfbdatawarehouse.com. Archived from the original on January 25, 2016. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
  6. "Florida Southern Moccasins". Archived from the original on January 25, 2016. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
  7. "Florida Outclassed In Every Stage of the Game". The Southern. Vol. 2, no. 6. November 6, 1919.
  8. "Moccasin Athletics History - Florida Southern College". fscmocs.com. Archived from the original on January 2, 2015.