The Southern Jaguars have a proud and historic legacy in NCAA sports, excelling in both Southern Jaguars football and Southern Jaguars basketball. Competing as a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) member, the Jaguars have built a tradition of championships, professional-level talent, and memorable rivalries. Their dedication to excellence on the field and court continues to define their storied program today.
College Sports Established
1880
Location
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
College Name
Southern University
Collegiate History
1973 - Present / NCAA Division I
1935 - 1973 / University Division of the NCAA
Conference History
1935 - Present / Southwestern Athletic Conference
Nickname
Jaguars - As a sports fan, you may be familiar with the Southern Jaguars of NCAA Division I athletics. But did you know that the team's nickname has an interesting origin story? After considering several options, the University of South Alabama adopted its current mascot in 1990.
Southern Jaguars Origin
The university was initially known as Mobile College, and it had used various mascots throughout its history, including Bulldogs, Cardinals, and Rebels. In 1989, then-athletic director Joe Gottfried wanted to find a more unified identity for all athletic teams at the school, so he started researching potential nicknames. He eventually settled on Jaguars because they are native to Alabama’s Gulf Coast region and embody strength and power – two qualities he felt were necessary for any successful athletic program.
Gottfried also liked how jaguars could symbolize both ferocity on the field while still being graceful off it. These qualities have become synonymous with South Alabama Athletics since they adopted this iconic animal as their mascot in 1990! The Jaguar is now one of college sports' most recognizable symbols thanks to its unique combination of power and beauty – making it an ideal representation for any proud Southern Jaguar fan!
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 0
- 1934
- 1959
- 1987
- 2003
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Southern Jaguars Football Joining SWAC
The Southern Jaguars are the college football team representing Southern University. The Jaguars play in NCAA Division I Football Championship as a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). The Jaguars started collegiate football in 1916, and played in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference before joining the SWAC in 1934. -
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics national championship Win
In 1959 Southern, led by future National Baseball Hall of Famer Lou Brock, became the first historically black college or university (HBCU) to win the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics national championship. -
NCAA Division I Regional Tournament Win
In 1987 Southern became the first HBCU to win a game in an NCAA Division I regional tournament by defeating #2-ranked Cal State Fullerton. In 1996 Southern became the first HBCU to win a game in an NCAA Division I play-in series by defeating Austin Peay. -
Rickie Weeks nation’s top collegiate player
Rickie Weeks was the first college player selected in the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft when the Milwaukee Brewers made him their No. 1 pick, the highest a second baseman has ever been drafted in MLB Draft history. Weeks won the Golden Spikes Award, Dick Howser Trophy, and Baseball America College Player of the Year honors as the nation’s top ...
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Southern Jaguars History
The Southern Jaguars have a rich and storied history in NCAA sports, particularly in the Southern Jaguars football and Southern Jaguars basketball programs. Representing Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the Jaguars have competed at the NCAA Division I level since 1979. They are well-known for their intense rivalry with the Texas Southern Tigers and their consistent success within the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).
Since joining NCAA Division I, the Jaguars have captured seven regular season championships and three tournament titles. Their Southern Jaguars basketball team achieved notable success with two SWAC tournament championships in 2010 and 2012, along with a National Invitational Tournament (NIT) championship in 2008. The Southern Jaguars football program has also been highly competitive, regularly finishing at the top of the SWAC standings and producing multiple NFL players, including Pro Bowl athletes who helped elevate the program’s reputation nationally.
One of the most celebrated figures in Southern Jaguars history is former basketball head coach Ronnie Arrow. Leading the program from 1998 to 2014, Arrow guided the Southern Jaguars basketball team to six consecutive 20+ win seasons between 2003–2009 and five NIT appearances. His leadership established one of the strongest eras in the school’s athletic history and cemented Southern as a powerhouse in both basketball and football.
Jaguars Achievements
In addition to athletic success, the Southern Jaguars have emphasized academic excellence, producing student-athletes who have excelled both on the court and in the classroom. Their football and basketball programs continue to nurture talent, with many players advancing to professional leagues in the NFL, NBA, and overseas basketball circuits.
In recent years, the Southern Jaguars football and basketball programs have maintained competitiveness within the SWAC, securing multiple conference wins and postseason appearances. The programs remain committed to excellence under the leadership of current coaches, building on decades of tradition, championship success, and a strong fanbase. With a focus on both athletic and academic achievements, the Jaguars continue to honor their legacy while striving for new milestones in Southern Jaguars football and Southern Jaguars basketball.
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