The Millikin Big Blue are the intercollegiate athletic programs of Millikin University (MU) located in Decatur, Illinois, United States. The Big Blue athletic program is a member of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) and competes at the NCAA Division III level.

Millikin Big Blue
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UniversityMillikin University
ConferenceCollege Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin
NCAADivision III
Athletic directorCraig White
LocationDecatur, Illinois
Varsity teams23 (12 men's and 11 women's)
Football stadiumFrank M. Lindsay Field
Basketball arenaGriswold Center
Baseball stadiumWorkman Family Baseball Field
Softball stadiumWorkman Family Softball Field
Soccer stadiumFrank M. Lindsay Field
Other venuesDecatur Indoor Sports Center
Fairview Park Tennis Complex
NicknameBig Blue
ColorsBlue and White
   
Websiteathletics.millikin.edu

History

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Millikin University was a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Its athletics programs were established together with the university in 1903, with football, men's basketball and baseball all competing in the university's first full academic year (1903–04). Since its start, Big Blue athletics has achieved considerable success both as a member of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) and at the national level as a member of the NCAA Division III. The nickname "Big Blue" is generally attributed to Carl Head, a professor of mechanical engineering who used the name on posters during the 1916 football season. Millikin joined the College Conference of Illinois (CCI) on April 26, 1946 as one of its nine charter members (Augustana, Carthage, Elmhurst, Illinois College, Illinois Wesleyan, Lake Forest, Millikin, North Central and Wheaton). The league was renamed the CCIW in 1967 to recognize Carthage, which had moved its campus from Illinois to Wisconsin as well as Carroll's entrance in 1955. Regarded as "The Best Small College Conference In The Nation", Millikin is one of four charter members with uninterrupted membership.[1] One of the school's most famous alumni is former NFL wide receiver Jeff Query who played for the Green Bay Packers, Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Redskins.

Sports sponsored

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Men's sports Women's sports
Baseball Basketball
Basketball Cross Country
Cross Country Golf
Football Soccer
Golf Softball
Soccer Swimming & Diving
Swimming & Diving Tennis
Tennis Track and field
Track and field Triathlon
Volleyball Volleyball
Wrestling
† – Track and field includes both indoor and outdoor

A member of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, Millikin University sponsors teams in twelve men's and eleven women's NCAA sanctioned sports.

National championships

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Team

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  • 2004–05: Women's Basketball

Individual

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Wrestling

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  • Bradan Birt - 165 wc. (2021-22)

Men's Swimming

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  • Rodney Miller – 200 yd. breast (1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88)
  • Rodney Miller – 100 yd. breast (1986–87, 1987–88)
  • Rodney Miller – 200 yd. IM (1987–88)
  • Scott Walker – 100 fly (1990–91)

Men's Track & Field

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  • Carl Alexander – Outdoor 100-meter dash (1997–98)[2]
  • Kyle Hensley – Indoor Pole Vault (2024)[3]

Notable former athletes

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References

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  1. ^ "Big Blue Athletics History". Millikin University Athletics. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  2. ^ "Millikin Champions" (PDF). Millikin University Athletics. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  3. ^ "Kyle Hensley wins National Championship in Pole Vault". Millikin University Athletics. 2024-03-08. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
  4. ^ New York Times April 12, 1975, pp.31
  5. ^ "Mike Rowland Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved 2008-06-19.
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