JBU to Host 2012 SAC Basketball Tournaments
This is JBU's first time to host the event
Siloam Springs, Ark. (August 5, 2011) - John Brown University’s Bill George Arena will be the site of the Sooner Athletic Conference men’s and women’s basketball tournaments taking place March 1-3, 2012.
This will be JBU’s first time to host the SAC basketball tournaments since re-joining the conference in 1995.
“This has been many years in the waiting,” said JBU Director of Athletics Robyn Daugherty. “We are honored to have been chosen to host the 2012 SAC basketball tournaments, and JBU along with the Siloam Springs community are looking forward to accommodating the top 16 teams that earn their way here. We anticipate that Bill George Arena, in its second season of operation, will provide a tremendous atmosphere to the participants and the spectators.”
Last season, Southern Nazarene (Okla.) walked away with both the men’s and women’s crown. The SNU men claimed a 66-52 win over Northwestern Oklahoma State in the title game. And on the women’s side, SNU’s ladies defeated Rogers State (Okla.) 52-48 to hoist the trophy. It was the third tournament title for the SNU men and ninth for the women.
The SAC is known to many as the premier small college basketball conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Over the last 10 years, a SAC member has won the NAIA Men’s National Championship five times – including JBU’s historic run to the championship in 2005. JBU also claimed their first SAC tournament title in 2010. On the women’s side, a SAC team has been crowned the NAIA National Champion 10 times over the last 20 years.
SAC member institutions include John Brown, Lubbock Christian (Texas), Mid-America Christian (Okla.), Northwestern Oklahoma State, Oklahoma Baptist, Oklahoma Christian, Oklahoma City, Rogers State, St. Gregory’s (Okla.), Southern Nazarene, Science & Arts of Oklahoma, and Wayland Baptist (Texas).
The winners of the SAC tournaments will receive automatic berths to the NAIA Divison I men’s and women’s basketball national tournaments. The 2012 NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship will be held March 14-20 at the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. The 2012 NAIA Division I Women's Basketball National Championship will be held March 14-20 at the Frankfort Convention Center in Frankfort, Ky.
The 38,000-square-foot multipurpose Bill George Arena opened in the fall of 2010 and is the home of JBU's volleyball and men's and women's basketball teams. The arena, which also hosts concerts, guest speakers, and graduation ceremonies, has a seating capacity of 1,800. It is also the home of the Mary K. Chapman Hospitality Suite, which is located on the upper level overlooking the court.
Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament
Past Champions
MEN
2011–Southern Nazarene
2010–John Brown
2009–Rogers State
2008–Oklahoma City*
2007–Southern Nazarene
2006–Oklahoma City
2005–Oklahoma Baptist
2004–Oklahoma Baptist
2003–Oklahoma City
2002–Oklahoma City
2001–Lubbock Christian
2000–Oklahoma City
1999–Oklahoma City
1998–Southern Nazarene
1997–Oklahoma Baptist
1996–Oklahoma Baptist
1995–Oklahoma City
1994–Oklahoma City*
*Also won national championship that year
WOMEN
2011–Southern Nazarene
2010–Oklahoma City
2009–Oklahoma City
2008–Oklahoma City
2007–Southern Nazarene
2006–Oklahoma City
2005–Southern Nazarene
2004–Oklahoma City
2003–Oklahoma City
2002–Southern Nazarene
2001–Oklahoma City*
2000–Oklahoma City*
1999–Southern Nazarene
1998–Wayland Baptist
1997–Southern Nazarene*
1996–Southern Nazarene*
1995–Southern Nazarene*
1994–Southern Nazarene*
*Also won national championship that year
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