Texas A&M–Commerce Lions | |
---|---|
University | Texas A&M University–Commerce |
Conference | Lone Star Conference |
NCAA | Division II |
Athletic director | Tim McMurray |
Location | Commerce, Texas |
Varsity teams | 12 |
Football stadium | Memorial Stadium (Capacity: 13,500) |
Basketball arena | Texas A&M–Commerce Field House (Capacity: 5,000) |
Softball stadium | John Cain Family Softball Field (Capacity: 800) |
Soccer stadium | Lion Soccer Field (Capacity: 500) |
Mascot | Lucky The Lion |
Nickname | Lions |
Fight song | "Texas A&M-Commerce Fight Song" |
Colors | Blue and Gold |
Website | www |
The Texas A&M–Commerce Lions (also TAMUC Lions and formerly East Texas State Lions and ETSU Lions) are the athletic teams that represent Texas A&M University–Commerce, located in Commerce, Texas, in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports. The Lions compete as members of the Lone Star Conference for all 12 varsity sports. A flagship member, Texas A&M University–Commerce remains from the original league formed in 1931. Locally they are simply referred to as the "A&M–Commerce Lions".
TAMUC has numerous traditions regarding athletic activity that are dearly held by students and alums alike. In 1909, the "Victory Bell" was taken to campus which originally served a purpose of calling students to class and ending the day when the school was located in Cooper, Texas. Sam Rayburn, the longest serving Speaker of the United States House of Representatives in history, was one of the many students who rang the bell to call students to class. When the bell was moved, it was used to celebrate victories and in the 1950s due to the tremendous amount of victories and the actions of some rowdy students, the clapper of the bell was worn out. The bell still resides in a campus walkway and is considered good luck for new students to walk by the bell and athletes as well in their pursuit of success.
The Chennault Cup is a traveling trophy that is given to the winner of the annual Football game between A&M-Commerce and Texas A&M University-Kingsville. The trophy is named in honor of famous World War I and World War II pilot Claire Chennault, who was born in Commerce, but spent time training and teaching at the Naval Air Station Kingsville during his distinguished military career.