CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Big South Conference Council of Chief Executive Officers has voted to add Campbell University as a full member of the League, beginning July 1, 2011, it was announced today by Big South Conference Commissioner Kyle B. Kallander.  Campbell, a charter member of the Big South in 1983 until its departure in 1994, will be eligible to compete for all Big South championships immediately upon entry in 2011.  The Camels will continue to compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference for the next two seasons (2009-10, 2010-11).

“It is most appropriate as we celebrate the Big South Conference’s Silver Anniversary, that we welcome back one of our founding members, Campbell University,” said Kallander.  “The Big South is proud of its history and heritage, which includes many outstanding performances by Campbell student-athletes and coaches.  The Big South Conference counts amongst its core values excellence in academics and athletics, leadership, integrity, diversity and fiscal responsibility.  The addition of Campbell University reflects those values, and many more.  Campbell will be an integral part of the Big South’s efforts in developing leaders through athletics, and we are so pleased to have them back in the family.”

“We are excited about Campbell’s return to the Big South Conference,” added Campbell University President Dr. Jerry M. Wallace.  “The Big South’s membership is located in an area where most Campbell students, alumni and major supporters reside.  We will feel at home with the excellent and well-recognized universities of the Big South and look forward to the rivalries we will share.”

Campbell sponsors 20 varsity sports at the Division I level, 17 of which are sponsored by the Big South: men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s tennis, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s golf, volleyball and men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track & field.  Campbell’s football (Pioneer League) women’s swimming (Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association) and wrestling (independent) programs will not compete in the Big South Conference.
 
The Camels enjoyed athletic and academic success as members of the Big South Conference from 1983-94.  Campbell earned the Big South’s first automatic bid in men’s basketball in 1992 and in baseball in 1990, and was the first Conference champion in men’s soccer (1984) and women’s soccer (1993).  Its women’s basketball program was one of the League’s best in the Conference’s first decade, and its rivalry with Radford on the hardwood was epic.  The teams faced each other in the women’s basketball championship game six consecutive years from 1987 to 1992.  Campbell’s women’s golf program was the first in Big South history to advance to the NCAA Regionals in 1994, and did so as an at-large selection.  Below is a closer look at Campbell’s achievements as Big South members:

CAMPBELL’S BIG SOUTH HISTORY (1983-1994) – BY THE NUMBERS

35 – Combined Big South Regular-Season and Tournament championships

28 – Player of the Year honorees

22 – Big South Tournament championships

21 – Coach of the Year honorees

10 – All-Americans.  Campbell had seven women’s basketball student-athletes and three men’s soccer student-athletes named All-America during its association in the Big South.

6 – Rookie of the Year honorees

4 – NCAA Championship appearances.  Campbell represented the Big South in the NCAAs in baseball (1990), men’s basketball (1992) and women’s golf (1994).  In addition, women’s golfer Janet Wooten was an individual participant at the 1993 NCAA Regionals.

4 – Big South Conference Hall of Fame Members.  Campbell has four former student-athletes/administrators among the 35 enshrinees in the League’s Hall of Fame:  Director of Athletics Wendell Carr, men’s basketball player Joe Spinks, women’s basketball player Tammy Brown and women’s golfer Janet Wooten.

3 – Commissioner’s Cup awards.  Campbell won the Big South’s Commissioner Cup in 1992, 1993 and 1994 as the member institution with the best athletic season.

3 – Christenberry Award winners.  Campbell had three student-athletes (Carol Wynee, Lucynda Hicks and Andrea Boda) receive the Big South’s prestigious George A. Christenberry Award for Academic Excellence.

1 – CoSIDA Academic All-American.  Baseball player Kenny Milton was named an Academic All-American in 1988 by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

ABOUT CAMPBELL UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1887 and located in Buies Creek, N.C., an enrollment in excess of 6,600 students, representing diverse cultural, socioeconomic and religious backgrounds, makes Campbell the second-largest private university in North Carolina.  On the main campus, more than 3,000 undergraduates are enrolled; with more than 1,500 students enrolled in master’s programs or professional schools.  A private university of the liberal arts, sciences and professions, Campbell is comprised of the College of Arts and Sciences, Lundy-Fetterman School of Business, School of Education, Norman A. Wiggins School of Law, School of Pharmacy and the Divinity School.

Location:  Buies Creek, N.C.
Enrollment:  6654 (all campuses), 4364 (main campus)
Founded:  January 5, 1887
Colors:  Orange (PMS 158) and Black
Nickname:  Fighting Camels
President:  Dr. Jerry M. Wallace (East Carolina, 1956)
Director of Athletics:  Stan Williamson (Louisiana Tech, 1985)
Senior Woman Administrator:  Malinda Ashcraft
Faculty Athletic Representative:  Dr. Gary Taylor
Associate A.D./Media Services:  Stan Cole
Media Services Telephone:  910-893-1331
Athletic Department Fax:  910-893-1980
Institution’s Website Address:  www.Campbell.edu
Athletic Department’s Website Address:  www.gocamels.com