The Saint Louis Billikens have a rich tradition in NCAA athletics, earning recognition for their outstanding programs and competitive spirit. With historic achievements in Saint Louis Billikens basketball and a strong presence in Saint Louis Billikens baseball, the university continues to showcase excellence on and off the field, building a passionate fan base nationwide.
College Sports Established
1818
Location
St. Louis, Missouri
College Name
Saint Louis University
Collegiate History
1973 - Present / NCAA Division I
1937 - 1973 / University Division of the NCAA
Conference History
2005 - Present / Atlantic 10 Conference
1995 - 2005 / C-USA Conference
1919 - 1995 / Great Midwest Conference
1982 - 1991 /Midwestern Collegiate Conference
1974 - 1982 / Metro Conference
1937 - 1974 / Missouri Valley Conference
Nickname
Billikens - The Saint Louis Billikens are one of the most recognizable teams in college sports. The team's unique name has been around since its inception in 1919, and it is a source of pride for many fans. But where did this unusual nickname come from?
Saint Louis Billikens Origin
The story goes that the team was named after a popular character from French folklore called "Billy-Ken." This figure was known to be an elf-like creature with magical powers that could bring good luck to those who invoked his name. It seemed like an appropriate mascot for a St Louis, Missouri, University – so the nickname stuck!
Since then, there have been several variations on how people pronounce or spell “Billiken” (the preferred spelling). Some say “BilliKENS” while others prefer “BILLIkins” or even just plain old “billykENs”! Regardless of pronunciation, all agree that this beloved moniker brings good fortune to any fan lucky enough to wear it proudly on their chest.
Fans across America now recognize the Saint Louis Billikens as one of NCAA's premier programs - thanks mainly to their unique identity created by its charming namesake long ago. Whether you call them billiKENS or Billikens doesn't matter; either way, you're sure to show your support loud and proud when cheering them on during the game day!
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 0
- 1911
- 1952
- 1960
- 2012
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The Saint Louis University athletic teams adopt the Billiken as their mascot
In 1911, the Saint Louis University athletic teams adopted the Billiken as their mascot. The Billiken is a mythical creature that is said to bring good luck, and it quickly became a beloved symbol of the university and its sports teams. -
Men’s basketball team wins the National Invitation Tournament championship
In 1952, the Saint Louis Billikens men’s basketball team won the National Invitation Tournament championship for the second time. Led by coach Ed Hickey and future Hall of Famer Bob Pettit, the Billikens defeated the defending champion City College of New York in the championship game. Pettit was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and went on to become one ... -
Ed Macauley, known as “Easy Ed”
Ed Macauley, known as “Easy Ed”, is a famous basketball player who played for the Saint Louis Billikens from 1946 to 1949. He was a two-time consensus All-American and helped lead the Billikens to the NIT championship in 1948. After college, he went on to have a successful professional career, including being named an NBA All-Star six times and winning ... -
Men’s soccer team wins the Atlantic 10 Conference championship
The Saint Louis Billikens men’s soccer team won the Atlantic 10 Conference championship in 2012. They defeated the VCU Rams 1-0 in the championship game, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. In the tournament, they advanced to the third round before being eliminated by the Georgetown Hoyas in a penalty shootout.
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.
Saint Louis Billikens History
The Saint Louis Billikens hold one of the richest traditions in NCAA athletics, especially in their rivalry with the St. Bonaventure Bonnies. Founded in 1906, the Saint Louis Billikens quickly rose to prominence and became a respected name in college sports. With 22 conference championships, seven Final Four appearances, and two national championships, the program has built a reputation for excellence that continues to inspire fans nationwide.
The program’s early years saw the Saint Louis Billikens basketball team making a national impact by capturing back-to-back National Invitational Tournament titles during World War II, becoming just one of eight schools to achieve that rare feat. Their dominance extended into the 1950s with six straight Missouri Valley Conference titles between 1955 and 1961, a streak unmatched by most other programs at the time. These milestones firmly established the university as a powerhouse in the Midwest.
Over the decades, the Saint Louis Billikens basketball program has produced an impressive roster of star athletes. Larry Hughes, selected 8th overall in the 1998 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, and Hall of Famer Bob Pettit, drafted 2nd overall by the Milwaukee Hawks after leading the St. Louis University basketball program for four seasons, are only two of the many players who elevated the school’s reputation. Their success continues to highlight the talent pipeline built at Saint Louis University.
In addition to basketball, the Saint Louis Billikens baseball program has steadily grown and earned recognition in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The team has claimed multiple conference tournament berths and developed standout players who advanced to professional baseball. This growth reflects the university’s ongoing investment in building strong athletic programs across multiple sports, not just basketball.
Billikens Achievements
Recent seasons have shown that the Saint Louis Billikens can still compete with the nation’s top programs. Deep runs in the Atlantic 10 tournament and key wins over nationally ranked opponents demonstrate that both Saint Louis Billikens basketball and Saint Louis Billikens baseball remain on an upward trajectory. With experienced coaching staffs and talented student-athletes, the Billikens are poised to continue their winning tradition.
Looking ahead, the Saint Louis Billikens aim to add even more conference titles and NCAA tournament success across all sports. With passionate fans, a historic legacy, and rising stars on the roster, the future of Saint Louis Billikens basketball and Saint Louis Billikens baseball promises to keep Saint Louis University at the forefront of collegiate athletics for years to come.
