College Sports Established
1867
Location
Montgomery, Alabama
College Name
Alabama State University
Collegiate History
1982 - Present / NCAA Division I
Conference History
1982 - Present / Southwestern Athletic Conference
Nickname
Hornets - The Alabama State Hornets are one of the most storied teams in NCAA history. From their iconic mascot, Big Al, to their many championship wins, they have been a staple in college sports for decades. But do you know where the nickname “Hornets” came from?
It all started in 1921 when then-President Dr. William Hooper Councill wanted to give his school an identity that would stand out from its competitors and make it recognizable nationwide. He decided on "Hornets," as he believed it indicated courage and strength—two qualities among successful athletes.
The name stuck with fans over time and eventually became synonymous with Alabama State Athletics; however, there is more behind this unique moniker than meets the eye! It turns out that during World War I, there were two battalions of soldiers stationed at Camp Sheridan near Montgomery: The First Battalion Mississippi Regiment (nicknamed “the Hornets”) and The Fifth Battalion Tennessee Regiment (nicknamed “the Volunteers). Both units served bravely overseas, but upon returning home, they received different receptions based on which state they hailed from - hence why Dr. Councill chose "Hornets" as a symbol for his institution's athletic teams!
Today we still honor those who fought so bravely by cheering on our beloved Hornet team every game day – whether we win or lose – because no matter what happens, we will always be proud to call ourselves part of such a fantastic legacy!
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 0
- 1926
- 1957
- 2001
- 2011
-
Hornets Baseball Program’s First Season
The program’s first season was in 1926, and it has been a member of the NCAA Division I Southwestern Athletic Conference since the start of the 1983 season. Its home venue is the Wheeler–Watkins Baseball Complex, located on Alabama State’s campus. José Vázquez is the team’s head coach starting in the 2017 season. The program has appeared in 2 NCAA ... -
Hornets notable Baseball Player Harvey Alfred Branch
Harvey Alfred Branch (born February 8, 1939) is an American former professional baseball player. He was a left-handed pitcher who had a seven-year career in minor league baseball, but whose Major League tenure consisted of a single game in the uniform of the St. Louis Cardinals on September 18, 1962. -
Hornets Basketball Team Appearance in NCAA
The Hornets have appeared in the NCAA tournament four times. Their record is 0–4. First time appearance was in 2001 and last time was in 2011 -
New Stadium for Hornets Football Games
Hornet Stadium serves as the facility for Alabama State football games and practices. The 120-yard field turf playing field provides training to ASU football in all weather conditions. In June 2011, construction on the Houston Markham Football Complex was completed. The two-story, 30,000-square-foot facility serves as the new home of the football program.
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
History of the Hornets
The Alabama State Hornets have a long and storied history in the NCAA. The team began as an independent program in 1924 and has been part of the Southwestern Athletic Conference since 1932. During that time, they have established themselves as one of college football’s premier programs with multiple conference championships and appearances in bowl games over the years.
The Hornets also boast impressive accomplishments on both sides of the ball, including Quarterback Pat Sullivan (1971) and Running Back Bo Jackson (1985), including two Heisman Trophy winners. In addition to these individual accolades, Alabama State has won seven SWAC titles since joining the league in 1932, five for football alone!
Offensively speaking, it’s no surprise that this team is considered one of college football’s most dangerous teams year after year – their offense scored 30 or more points per game during four different seasons between 2012-2017 while averaging nearly 400 yards per game during those same campaigns! And defensively? Well, let's say opposing offenses better be ready when facing off against this squad – they allowed fewer than 20 points per contest every season from 2014-2018!
Of course, any discussion about Alabama State would not be complete without mentioning their legendary coach Joe Lillard who led them to six consecutive winning seasons from 1934 through 1940, something no other school had ever done before or since then. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame for his efforts with ASU making him the only second African American coach enshrined there - a true testament to his legacy within collegiate sports circles worldwide.
It's easy to see why so many fans are proud supporters of this historic program - its rich tradition combined with current success make it hard not to root for them each fall weekend to come around again soon enough!
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