The UVA Wise Cavaliers (formerly Virginia–Wise Cavaliers), nicknamed the "Highland Cavaliers" before 2017, are the athletic teams that represent the University of Virginia's College at Wise, located in Wise, Virginia, in intercollegiate sports as a member of the NCAA Division II ranks, primarily competing in the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) since the 2019–20 academic year.[1] The Cavaliers previously competed in the D-II Mountain East Conference (MEC) from 2013–14 to 2018–19.
| UVA Wise Cavaliers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| University | University of Virginia's College at Wise |
| Conference | South Atlantic (primary) |
| NCAA | Division II |
| Athletic director | Kendall Rainey |
| Location | Wise, Virginia |
| Varsity teams | 15 (7 men's, 8 women's) |
| Football stadium | Beaty-Richmond Field at Carl Smith Stadium |
| Basketball arena | David J. Prior Convocation Center |
| Baseball stadium | Burchell Stallard Field |
| Softball stadium | Cavalier Field |
| Lacrosse stadium | Beaty-Richmond Field at Carl Smith Stadium |
| Tennis venue | Jim and Betty Humphreys Tennis Complex |
| Nickname | Cavaliers |
| Colors | Red and grey |
| Website | uvawisecavs |
Prior joining the NCAA, UVA Wise previously competed in the Mid-South Conference (MSC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 2010–11 to 2012–13 (with a partial provisional membership as a core member of the D-II Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) during their D-II transition within the 2012–13 school year); in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) from 2001–02 to 2009–10; the Tennessee Valley Athletic Conference from 1994–95 to 2000–01; and in the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC; now currently known as the River States Conference (RSC) since the 2016–17 school year) from 1971–72 to 1993–94.
Classifications
editNational affiliations
edit| Years | Classification | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| 2013–14 to present | NCAA Division II | 9 |
| 2012–13 | NAIA & NCAA Division II | 1 |
| 1968–1969 to 2011–2012 | NAIA | 45 |
Conference affiliations
edit| Years | Conference | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| 2019–20 to present | South Atlantic Conference | 3 |
| 2013–14 to 2018–19 | Mountain East Conference | 6 |
| 2012–13[a] | Mid-South Conference Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) |
1 |
| 2010–11 to 2011–12 | Mid-South Conference | 2 |
| 1995–96 to 2009–10 | Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) | 15 |
| 1994–95 | NAIA Independent | 3 |
| 1971–72 to 1993–94 | Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) | 23 |
| 1968–69 to 1970–71 | NAIA Independent | 3 |
- Notes
- ^ UVA Wise had dual membership within the Mid-South of the NAIA and the G-MAC of NCAA Division II (provisional status) during the 2012–13 school year.
Varsity teams
editUVA Wise competes in 13 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf and tennis; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, softball, tennis and volleyball.
History
editOn April 23, 2012, the college was accepted as a provisional member of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) and announced it would begin competition as the G-MAC's seventh full member in the 2013–2014 academic year.[2] UVA Wise also announced it planned to submit the NCAA application prior to June 1, 2012. Once accepted by the NCAA, the college will begin the official transition from NAIA to NCAA and if the requirements are met would become an active NCAA Division II member for the 2015–2016 academic year.[3] However, UVA Wise would play in the G-MAC for only one season; it announced on August 20, 2012, that it would become a charter member of the new Mountain East Conference, a conference made up mostly of former members of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference that ultimately launched in the 2013–14 academic year.[4]
References
edit- ^ "The University of Virginia's College at Wise to Join South Atlantic Conference in 2019-20" (Press release). South Atlantic Conference. April 13, 2018. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
- ^ Staff (April 23, 2012). "UVa-Wise Granted Provisional Membership into NCAA Division II G-MAC Conference". Hazard, Kentucky: WYMT-TV. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
- ^ Staff (April 24, 2012). "LOCAL COLLEGE: UVA-Wise set to join G-MAC". TriCities.com. Bristol, Virginia: Bristol Herald Courier. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
- ^ "UVa–Wise Accepts Charter Membership in Mountain East Conference". Hazard, Kentucky: WYMT-TV. August 20, 2012. Archived from the original on August 21, 2012. Retrieved August 21, 2012.