SAU has had 19 head coaches since it began play in 1911. The mule had deep roots in the everyday lives of TDAS students and their families. This page was last edited on 5 October 2020, at 05:51. He knew that the famous Army-Navy rivalry, among the country’s most storied football competitions in those days, had as mascots, beginning in 1899, an Army mule and a Navy goat. (Click here to enlarge photo). Additional strands of lights are strewn along the 187-foot SAU bell tower, transforming it into a giant Christmas candle. The Battle of the Timberlands is an annual football game between Southern Arkansas and University of Arkansas-Monticello. Southern Arkansas has won a total of 8 conference championships, including 2 in an early conference that included Arkansas junior colleges and high schools, 5 AIC Championships and 1 GSC Championships. 1 ranking before finishing the season 7–3. The current head coach of the Lady Muleriders is Jason Anderson.[34]. Brian Daugherty served the Muleriders for 7 years from 1998-2005 followed by Eric Bozeman from 2005-2012. No mention of Rough Riders or Army mule riders was a part of an oral tradition among students that preserved the story of the Mulerider name’s origin. [8] The Mulerider nickname is regularly called one of the most unusual nicknames in college athletics. Over time, it became more than the team’s name. Southern Arkansas's athletic teams have gone by several nicknames during the years. From 1971–1975, Powell's squads compiled a 38–13–1 record and won the 1972 AIC Championship. A bronze sculpture of the Mule Rider created by Jason Scull has a prominent place at SAU’s Donald W. Reynolds Campus and Community Center. Southern Arkansas University began its football program in 1911 when the school was known as the Third District Agricultural School. [13][self-published source]. College Football Playoff takeaways: Power 5's best battling to stay unbeaten, and Big Ten is back in a big way. SAU Communications Center (Click here to enlarge photo). [22], The annual Bed Races have been a unique tradition as a part of SAU's Family Day festivities since November 7, 1981. The event is hosted by the University's Office of Alumni Relations, and there is always a variety of grilled food, as well as games for the children. In 2012, the improvement was shown in a major way. Whether you’re a Southern Arkansas student, parent, player, fan, or alumni, you’ll choose from over 500 products in the Southern Arkansas Store to customize including the newest Southern Arkansas Muleriders T-shirts , Sweatshirts , Hoodies , Hats , Polos , Shorts , Bags , and more. Far fewer students in later decades majored in agriculture, but the working campus farm remained an important feature of the school. The SAU version of tailgating, students, family, and friends of SAU gather to visit, eat, and prepare for the upcoming game. It was more intelligent, more stubborn, healthier, stronger, and more sure-footed. [19], In each of 1953 and 1954, the then Southern State College Mulerider tennis team went undefeated winning the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference in both singles and doubles and was invited by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics to represent their district in their National Tennis Championships in 1953. One aspect of Muleriders has changed. Southern Arkansas fielded a softball team as far back as 1930; however, college opponents were difficult to find. The University logo should be used in all documents pertaining to SAU. [4] In 1925, the State Legislature authorized the school to add two years of college work and to change its name to Agricultural and Mechanical College, Third District (Magnolia A&M). Following Roberts at SAU was John Bland who coached the Muleriders to a 5–5 record in 2000, his only season at the helm. [14], The university operates several residence halls, many of which are associated with specific living-learning communities (LLCs):[15], Southern Arkansas University is in the NCAA Division II as a member of the Great American Conference. The choice of the symbol of Muleriders represented both an assertion of superiority and of status inversion. Southern Arkansas plays its annual rivalry game, "The Battle of the Timberlands", against the University of Arkansas at Monticello Boilweevils. The Ribble Strength Center opened in 2012 and is the strength training facility for the Muleriders and Lady Muleriders. Since 1950, SAU has a record of 1,641-984-6. For most purposes, the mule was much preferred over the horse. SAU has won conference championships in the following men's sports: Conference affiliations (Women's Sports): SAU has won conference championships in the following women's sports: The Muleriders won the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference All Sports Title in 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, and 1974. Due to federal restrictions on trademarks, and to protect the University’s interest in the trademarks, the following guidelines must always be followed. After three consecutive losing seasons to finish his tenure at SAU, current head coach Bill Keopple was hired to replace Quinn. The Southern Arkansas Muleriders represent Southern Arkansas University in intercollegiate athletics. A reception area featuring a ticket booth, concession stand, and restrooms acts at the front door to the arena. Molly Ann can be found at football games, "Mulegates", and other campus events. SAU's school colors of Royal Blue and Gold were chosen in honor of the Farmer's Union. Auburn Smith won more games than any other SAU coach, with 63 wins. In total, Downing brought 10 championships to the Lady Mulerider basketball program. The mule was a crucial element of Southern agriculture. The 2003 squad finished 9–3 and made the NCAA Division II playoffs where they lost to GSC conference foe North Alabama. Andy Sharpe was introduced as the new Mulerider head coach on April 9, 2012. In 2009 the Mulerider baseball team hosted the NCAA Division Two South Regional for the first time in school history. Perhaps they saw its similarity to “Rough Riders,” the military heroes much on their minds because of the just-concluded 1912 presidential election. Watson Athletic Center is the home of the Mulerider and Lady Mulerider basketball teams as well as the Lady Mulerider volleyball team. The 2003 squad was Quinn's most successful. [11][self-published source] Watson's teams won championships in 1966, 1967, and 1971. The union paved the way for the Third District Agricultural School to be founded in Magnolia in 1909. 1948, 1954, 1955, 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1992. Bill Koepple is in his 4th season as the Mulerider Head Coach. NCAAF News. Both schools are currently members of the Great American Conference. Some of Turrentine’s players, no doubt, were among the crowd of twenty-five thousand who gathered to see Roosevelt at the Arkansas State Fair at Hot Springs on October 10, 1910, when he visited with his old comrade, the Arkansas Rough Rider, Lieutenant John Greenway, a resident of that city. Before starting play in 2012, SAU had an all-time record of 429-413-30 (.509). The scoreboard is in the south endzone. [17], The university's athletic nicknames are Muleriders and Lady Muleriders. [12], "Mulegating" is a family-oriented event that gets Mulerider football fans geared up for every home SAU football game. Despite the drop off in wins, SAU finished with consecutive winning records for the first time since 2002–2003.