Texas Conference

Last updated
Texas Conference
Founded1926
Ceased1956
No. of teams
  • 5 (foundation, 1926)
  • 9 (maximum, 1930s)
  • 3 (dissolution, 1956)
Region Texas, New Mexico

The Texas Conference was a college athletic conference in the United States that existed from 1926 to 1956. During its existence, a total of 11 different colleges in Texas, and one from New Mexico, were members.

Contents

History

The conference was created by a split within the Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association (TIAA) between members who wanted to allow freshmen and transfers to play and schools that did not. This fault line also separated the teachers colleges that had joined over the years and the church-sponsored schools that had been founders. In May 1925, Austin College, Howard Payne University, Simmons University (now Hardin–Simmons University), Southwestern University, and Trinity University voted to leave the TIAA, but agreed to play out the fall 1925 football season within the TIAA. Play within the Texas Conference began with the 1926 basketball season. The five founding schools of the conference were all church-supported and agreed to ally themselves "along denominational lines." [1]

At the end of 1926, St. Edward's University joined the conference. [2] In 1932, Trinity University left to join other former members of the TIAA in the Lone Star Conference, [1] while Abilene Christian, Daniel Baker College, and McMurry College joined the Texas Conference at the end of the year. [3] [4] Trinity returned at the end of 1933, giving the conference a high of nine teams. [5] Hardin–Simmons left the conference in December 1935, reducing the conference to eight teams. [6] In May 1937, Texas Wesleyan University was admitted to the conference, restoring total membership to nine. [7] St. Edward's left the conference in December 1939, when it discontinued intercollegiate athletics. [8]

Due to World War II, Daniel Baker did not field a football team in the fall of 1942, [9] then in February 1943 ended its basketball season early. [10] The conference suspended athletics in the spring of 1943, although Southwestern continued to field a football team, winning the 1944 Sun Bowl and 1945 Sun Bowl, after the college football seasons of 1943 and 1944, respectively. [11] The Texas Conference reorganized in December 1945; at that time, Trinity University again departed and Daniel Baker did not return, leaving the conference with six teams: Abilene Christian, Austin, Howard Payne, McMurry, Southwestern, and Texas Wesleyan. [12] At the end of 1946, Hardin–Simmons rejoined the conference. [13] In 1947, Texas Wesleyan discontinued football, requiring it to quit the conference. [14] In December 1948, Hardin–Simmons left in order to join the Lone Star Conference; [15] they were effectively replaced by Texas A&I (now Texas A&M University–Kingsville), who joined the conference in February 1949, [16] again giving the conference six teams.

In the early 1950s, the conference began to have trouble holding together. Southwestern discontinued its football program after the 1950 season, causing them to be dropped from the conference in 1951. [17] Later, Eastern New Mexico University became the only school from outside of Texas to join the conference, with participation to start in the 1954 track season. But before they could start, in December 1953, the conference was cut from six members to three. Abilene Christian announced it would leave to become an independent, Texas A&I left to join the Lone Star Conference, and Austin College, because of an eligibility feud with other members, also left to become an independent. [18] [19] With three remaining members—Eastern New Mexico, Howard Payne, and McMurry—the conference disbanded in May 1956. [20]

Members

Key
Member at formation
Member at dissolution
InstitutionLocationFoundedNicknameJoinedLeftCurrent
conference
Abilene Christian College Abilene, Texas 1906 Wildcats 19331953 Southland (D-I)
Austin College Sherman, Texas 1849 Kangaroos 19261953 SCAC (D-III)
Daniel Baker College Brownwood, Texas 1888 Hillbillies 19331943†
Eastern New Mexico University Portales, New Mexico 1927 Greyhounds 19541956 LSC (D-II)
Hardin–Simmons University Abilene, Texas 1891 Cowboys 19261935 ASC (D-III)
19471948
Howard Payne University Brownwood, Texas 1889 Yellow Jackets 19261956 ASC (D-III)
McMurry College Abilene, Texas 1923 Indians 19331956 ASC (D-III)
St. Edward's University Austin, Texas 1877 Tigers / Crusaders [21] 19271939 LSC (D-II)
Southwestern University Georgetown, Texas 1840 Pirates 19261951 SCAC (D-III)
Texas A&I University Kingsville, Texas 1925 Javelinas 19491953 LSC (D-II)
Texas Wesleyan University Fort Worth, Texas 1890 Rams 19371947 SAC (NAIA)
Trinity University San Antonio, Texas 1869 Tigers 19261932 SCAC (D-III)
19341945

† Daniel Baker was consolidated with Howard Payne in 1952.

Membership timeline

Eastern New Mexico UniversityTexas A%26M University–KingsvilleTexas Wesleyan UniversityMcMurry CollegeDaniel Baker CollegeAbilene Christian CollegeSt. Edward's UniversityTrinity University (Texas)Southwestern UniversityHoward Payne UniversityHardin–Simmons UniversityAustin CollegeTexas Conference

Football champions

Basketball champions

1939 – Trinity (TX) [31]

See also

Related Research Articles

The Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association (TIAA) was a college sports association that operated from 1909 to 1932. All of its members were located in the US state of Texas.

The 1928 SMU Mustangs football team represented Southern Methodist University during the 1928 college football season, their 13th season in existence.

The 1946 Hardin–Simmons Cowboys football team was an American football team that represented Hardin–Simmons University in the Border Conference during the 1946 college football season. The 1946 season marked Hardin–Simmons' return to football after a three-year hiatus during World War II. In its third season under head coach Warren B. Woodson, the Cowboys compiled a perfect 11–0 record, outscored opponents by a total of 332 to 48, won the Border Conference championship, and defeated Denver in the 1947 Alamo Bowl.

The Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association (TIAA) was an NCAA Division III and NAIA college athletic conference that operated from 1976 to 1996. Its members were all located in the US state of Texas. When the association dissolved in 1996, most of the teams joined the newly formed American Southwest Conference which included teams from other states.

The 1941 Hardin–Simmons Cowboys football team was an American football team that represented Hardin–Simmons University as a member of the Border Conference during the 1942 college football season. The team compiled a 7–3–1 record, tied for third place in the conference, and outscored all opponents by a total of 178 to 88.

The 1947 Hardin–Simmons Cowboys football team was an American football team that represented Hardin–Simmons University in the Border Conference during the 1947 college football season. In its fourth season under head coach Warren B. Woodson, the team compiled an 8–3 record and outscored all opponents by a total of 305 to 87. The team played its three home games at Fair Park Stadium in Abilene, Texas.

The 1926 Simmons Cowboys football team was an American football team that represented Simmons University as a member of the Texas Conference during the 1926 college football season. In its first and only season under head coach Victor Payne, the team compiled a 6–1–3 record and outscored all opponents by a total of 85 to 46. The team played its home games at Parramore Field in Abilene, Texas. Simmons won the Texas Conference title with a mark of 2–0–1.

The 1925 Simmons Cowboys football team was an American football team that represented Simmons University as a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association (TIAA) during the 1925 college football season. In its second and final season under head coach P. E. Shotwell, the team compiled a 7–2 record and outscored all opponents by a total of 151 to 74. The team played its home games at Parramore Field in Abilene, Texas.

The 1952 Hardin–Simmons Cowboys football team was an American football team that represented Hardin–Simmons University in the Border Conference during the 1952 college football season. In its first season under head coach Murray Evans, the team compiled a 5–3–2 record, finished in fourth place in the conference, and outscored opponents by a total of 221 to 189.

The 1953 Hardin–Simmons Cowboys football team was an American football team that represented Hardin–Simmons University in the Border Conference during the 1953 college football season. In its second season under head coach Murray Evans, the team compiled a 6–5 record, finished in second place in the conference, and was outscored by a total of 211 to 199. The team played its home games at Parramore Field, also known as Parramore Stadium, in Abilene, Texas.

The 1928 Daniel Baker Hill Billies football team represented Daniel Baker College as a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association (TIAA) during the 1928 college football season. Led by Herman Clark in his first and only season as head coach, the team went 5–3–2. Daniel Baker won the TIAA title with a 4–0 mark in conference play.

The 1932 Simmons Cowboys football team represented Simmons University—now known as Hardin–Simmons University—as a member of the Texas Conference during 1932 college football season. Led by Les Cranfill in his third season as head coach, the team went 4–5–1 overall, tying for third place in the Texas Conference with a mark of 1–2–1.

The 1955 North Texas State Eagles football team represented North Texas State College—now known as the University of North Texas—as a member of the Gulf Coast Conference (GCC) during the 1955 college football season. Led by tenth-year head coach Odus Mitchell, the Eagles compiled an overall record of 5–4–1 with a mark of 2–1 in conference play, sharing the GCC title with Abilene Christian. North Texas State's game against Chattanooga on November 5 counted in the conference standings even though Chattanooga was not a member of the GCC.

The 1955 Abilene Christian Wildcats football team represented Abilene Christian College—now known as Abilene Christian University—as a member of the Gulf Coast Conference (GCC) during the 1955 college football season. Led by Garvin Beauchamp in his sixth and final season as head coach, the Wildcats compiled an overall record of 3–5–2 with a mark of 2–1 in conference play, sharing the GCC title with North Texas State. Abilene Christian's game against Mississippi Southern on November 5 counted in the conference standings even though Mississippi Southern was not a member of the GCC.

The 1946 Texas Conference football season was the season of college football played by the member schools of the Texas Conference as part of the 1946 college football season. Abilene Christian and Southwestern (TX) tied for the conference championship. None of the Texas Conference teams was ranked in the Associated Press poll or played in a bowl game.

The 1928 Howard Payne Yellow Jackets represented Howard Payne College—now known as Howard Payne University—as a member of the Texas Conference during the 1928 college football season. Led by first-year head coach Joe Bailey Cheaney, the Yellow Jackets compiled an overall record of 10–1 with a mark of 5–0 in conference play, winning the Texas Conference title.

The 1928 McMurry Indians football team represented McMurry College—now known as McMurry University—as a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association (TIAA) during the 1928 college football season. Led by sixth-year head coach Randolph M. Medley, the Indians compiled an overall record of 6–3 with a mark of 4–1 in conference play, tying for second place in the TIAA.

The 1951 Howard Payne Yellow Jackets represented Howard Payne College—now known as Howard Payne University—as a member of the Texas Conference during the 1951 college football season. Led by first-year head coach Carl Anderson, the Yellow Jackets compiled an overall record of 4–4 with a mark of 3–1 in conference play, sharing the Texas Conference title with Abilene Christian and Texas A&I.

The 2023 American Southwest Conference football season was the season of college football played by the eight member schools of the American Southwest Conference (ASC) as part of the 2023 NCAA Division III football season. The 2023 Hardin–Simmons Cowboys football team compiled a 9–2 record, won the ASC championship, and made it to the NCAA Division III first round where they lost to Trinity (TX) 20–6.

References

  1. 1 2 Rogers, James Lloyd (2002). The Story of North Texas: From Texas Normal College, 1890, to the University of North Texas System, 2001. University of North Texas Press. pp. 197–200. ISBN   1574411284.
  2. ↑ "St. Edwards Admitted To Texas Conference Thursday". Austin American-Statesman . December 10, 1926. p. 11. Retrieved January 11, 2020– via newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "Texas Circuit Admits McMurry, ACC". Abilene Reporter-News . Abilene, Texas. May 15, 1932. p. 2. Retrieved January 11, 2020– via newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "S. W. Conference Does Not Act To Admit New Members". The Eagle . Bryan, Texas. December 12, 1932. p. 3. Retrieved January 11, 2020– via newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "Admit Trinity to Texas Conference". El Paso Times . AP. December 10, 1933. p. 19. Retrieved January 11, 2020– via newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "Hardin-Simmons Out Of Loop". Tyler Courier-Times-Telegraph . Tyler, Texas. December 15, 1933. p. 12. Retrieved January 11, 2020– via newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "Admit Texas Wesleyan Into Texas Conference". Waxahachie Daily Light. Waxahachie, Texas. May 14, 1937. p. 5. Retrieved January 11, 2020– via newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Saint Abdication Seems Definite". Austin American-Statesman . December 11, 1939. p. 11. Retrieved January 11, 2020– via newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "Daniel Baker To Give Up Football Until War Ended". The Marshall News Messenger . Marshall, Texas. AP. August 26, 1942. p. 6. Retrieved January 11, 2020– via newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "Daniel Baker Drops Cage Team". The Vernon Daily Record. Vernon, Texas. AP. February 9, 1943. p. 6. Retrieved January 11, 2020– via newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "Sun Bowl Media Guide". sunbowl.org. 2018. p. 18. Retrieved January 11, 2020– via adobe.com.
  12. ↑ "Trinity Not In New Texas Loop". Austin American-Statesman . AP. December 9, 1945. p. 22. Retrieved January 11, 2020– via newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ "Hardin College Enters Texas Conference". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal . Lubbock, Texas. AP. December 15, 1946. p. 10. Retrieved January 11, 2020– via newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ "Wesleyan Quits Texas Conference Athletics". Waco News-Tribune . Waco, Texas. UP. March 28, 1947. p. 20. Retrieved January 11, 2020– via newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ "Hardin Voted Into Lone Star Conference". The Marshall News Messenger . Marshall, Texas. AP. December 12, 1948. p. 9. Retrieved January 11, 2020– via newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ "A&I Joins Loop". Lubbock Morning Avalanche . Lubbock, Texas. AP. February 5, 1949. p. 4. Retrieved January 11, 2020– via newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ "TC President Says Pirates Must Quit". Abilene Reporter-News . Abilene, Texas. April 27, 1951. p. 26. Retrieved January 11, 2020– via newspapers.com.
  18. ↑ Holden, Jack (December 12, 1953). "A&I Announces TC Withdrawal". Abilene Reporter-News. Abilene, Texas. p. 2. Retrieved January 11, 2020– via newspapers.com.
  19. ↑ "Texas Conference Cut to 3 Members". The Chieftain. No. 5. January 1954. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
  20. ↑ Browder, Jimmy (May 12, 1956). "Howard Payne Wins Meet As Texas Conference Ends". Abilene Reporter-News. Abilene, Texas. p. 2. Retrieved January 11, 2020– via newspapers.com.
  21. ↑ Hart, Weldon (August 31, 1939). "The Tigers Are Crusaders Now". Austin American-Statesman . p. 19. Retrieved January 11, 2020– via newspapers.com.
  22. ↑ Francis, Bruce (November 30, 1928). "Jackets Texas Conference Champions". The Abilene Morning News . Abilene, Texas. p. 6. Retrieved July 8, 2023– via Newspapers.com Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg .
  23. ↑ "Howard Payne Whips Pirates, 26 to 0, to Tie for Title". The Austin American . Austin, Texas. November 27, 1931. p. 9. Retrieved May 27, 2022– via Newspapers.com Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg .
  24. ↑ "Howard Payne Jackets Win Fifth Title". Corpus Christi Caller . Corpus Christi, Texas. Associated Press. November 25, 1932. p. 2. Retrieved May 27, 2022– via Newspapers.com Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg .
  25. ↑ "Howard Payne Is Champion Of T. Conference". Fort Worth Star-Telegram . Fort Worth, Texas. November 19, 1932. p. 8. Retrieved July 24, 2023– via Newspapers.com Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg .
  26. ↑ "Javelinas Maul Austin 41-7". Abilene Reporter-News . Abilene, Texas. December 2, 1951. p. 2D. Retrieved February 16, 2024– via Newspapers.com Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg .
  27. ↑ Fisher, Norman (November 7, 1954). "HP Jackets Spot McMurry, 13-6, Cart Off Conference Title". Brownwood Bulletin . Brownwood, Texas. p. 4. Retrieved February 12, 2022– via Newspapers.com Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg .
  28. ↑ Sanner, Fred (November 7, 1954). "Jackets Fell McM, 13-6 for TC Title". Abilene Reporter-News . Abilene, Texas. p. 1D. Retrieved February 12, 2022– via Newspapers.com Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg .
  29. ↑ Wade, Harless (November 6, 1955). "McMurry Wins Texas Conference Title". Abilene Reporter-News . Abilene, Texas. p. 1D. Retrieved January 28, 2022– via Newspapers.com Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg .
  30. ↑ "College Football". Fort Worth Star-Telegram . Fort Worth, Texas. November 28, 1955. p. 23. Retrieved August 3, 2021– via Newspapers.com Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg .
  31. ↑ "T. C. Derby Has Blanket Finish". Abilene Reporter-News . Abilene, Texas. March 5, 1939. p. 45. Retrieved August 13, 2021– via Newspapers.com Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg .
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