History of the 49ers
The Charlotte 49ers are the intercollegiate athletics teams representing the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Charlotte, North Carolina. The 49ers compete at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level as a member of Conference USA (C-USA). The teams are planning on joining the American Athletic Conference in July 2023.
The university sponsors 18 varsity athletic teams, nine for each gender, and will also add a women's lacrosse team in the 2024–25 school year. The other sports sponsored are baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, football, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's outdoor and indoor track and field, and women's volleyball.
College Sports Established
1946
Location
Charlotte, North Carolina
College Name
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Collegiate History
1973 - Present / NCAA Division 1
1970 - 1973 / University Division of the NCAA
Conference History
2023 - Present / American Athletic Conference
2013 - 2023 / Conference USA
2005 - 2013 / Atlantic 10 Conference
1995 - 2005 / Conference USA
1991 - 2005 / Metro Conference
1976 - 1991 / Sun Belt Conference
1970 - 1976 / Independent
Nickname
49ers - The nickname "49ers" derives from the fact that the university's predecessor—Charlotte Center of the University of North Carolina (CCUNC – established in 1946) was saved from being shut down by the state in 1949 by Bonnie Cone, when CCUNC became Charlotte College. Due to this "49er spirit" that Cone felt embodied the university, referring to the settlers that endured much hardships in traveling across the United States to seek fortune in the California Gold Rush, students of the fledgling UNC Charlotte chose "49ers" as the school's mascot. The fact that the University's Main Campus front entrance is located on North Carolina Highway 49 is pure coincidence.
Prior to the "49ers" moniker, the athletic teams were known as the "Owls" due to CCUNC's beginnings as a night school.
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 0
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.
