Carson–Newman Eagles | |
---|---|
University | Carson–Newman University |
Conference | South Atlantic Conference |
NCAA | Division II |
Athletic director | Allen Morgan |
Location | Jefferson City, TN |
Varsity teams | 19 |
Football stadium | Burke-Tarr Stadium |
Basketball arena | Holt Fieldhouse |
Nickname | Eagles |
Colors | Orange and Blue |
Website | cneagles |
The Carson–Newman Eagles are the athletic teams that represent the Carson–Newman University (formerly Carson–Newman College), located in Jefferson City, Tennessee, in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports. The Eagles compete as members of the South Atlantic Conference for all 19 varsity sports. The Eagles hold six national championships, five in football and one in baseball in the history of the program.
Carson–Newman has been a member of the South Atlantic Conference since 1975, when the league was still part of the NAIA before making a transition to the Division II level in 1994.
The Eagles previously competed in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) as members of the Smoky Mountain Conference, the Volunteer State Athletic Conference (VCAC), and later its successor, the Tennessee Valley Athletic Conference (TVAC). The football team joined the SAC in 1975 when it was still a football-only conference known as SAC-8.
The Carson-Newman athletics program began on June 3, 1893. The baseball team became the first organized group and earned a 4-3 win over the University of Tennessee in 1895, the school's first intercollegiate contest.
An administrative committee was developed and led by President Cordell Maddox to start the Carson-Newman Athletics Hall of Fame and the opening class of 1985. It included seven men and one woman, Dana X. Bible, Roy Harmon, Sam B. "Frosty" Holt, Mae Iddins, Bernie Moore, Lake Russell, Milas "Slim" Shoun and Earnest Tucker.
To be inducted, a person must be 10 years removed from their Carson-Newman career. In 1994, membership was opened to individuals who invested their lives in leading C-N sports. Coach Dick Campbell (basketball) and Bobby Wilson (baseball) were inducted the following year.
One of the driving forces for the program was 1970 C-N graduate David Barger. The current Athletic Director Emeritus started as the Director of Athletic Promotions in 1980 then Director of Athletic Development before being named Athletic Director in 1990, a post he would hold until 2012. He and Holt are the only two people in the history of Carson-Newman to hold the title of Athletic Director Emeritus.