History of the Jaguars
The South Alabama Jaguars represent the University of South Alabama in NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics. USA competes in the Sun Belt Conference; it is the conference's only remaining charter member from its inception. USA's athletics teams are nicknamed the Jaguars. Popular sports are baseball and men's basketball. USA sponsors 8 men's sports teams and 9 women's sports teams. The board of trustees voted to start a football program that began play in the fall of 2009.
South Alabama has Sun Belt rivalries with all East Division schools (Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia State, Georgia Southern, and Troy). South Alabama's main Sun Belt rivals are Georgia State and Troy.
Men's Sports: basketball, baseball, cross country, golf, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field, football (FCS Independent 2011–2012, entire Sun Belt Conference play began in 2013)
Women's Sports: basketball, softball, cross country, golf, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field, volleyball, soccer
Though not officially recognized by the administration, the University of South Alabama students maintain a multi-sport battle cry, "South in your Mouth." It is widely used across the school, though it is primarily heard about football and basketball.
USA formerly used Lady Jaguars for its women's teams, but by the 2012–13 school year, only the women's basketball team was using "Lady Jaguars," and starting with the 2013–14 school year, that team also became simply the Jaguars.
College Sports Established
1963
Location
Mobile, Alabama
College Name
University of South Alabama
Collegiate History
1976 - Present / NCAA Division I
Conference History
1976 - Present / Sun Belt Conference
Nickname
Jaguars - In 1965 the South Alabama Board of Trustees selected the Jaguar as the University’s official mascot.
During the late 1960’s, USA housed a live Jaguar on the campus. In 1968, Baton Rouge, La., civil engineer Toxie Craft donated a year old South American Jaguar to the University to serve as the official mascot. Craft’s first cousin, Huntley Fairchild of Sunshine, La., had learned from Jaguar Club member R.H. Radcliff Jr., that South Alabama was trying to acquire a live Jaguar to serve as the school’s mascot. Arrangements were made with USA Athletic Director Dr. Mel Lucas to bring the animal to Mobile. The acquisition of the jaguar triggered a reaction of jubilation through the growing USA campus.
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.