Ohio Valley Conference
Encyclopedia
The Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) is a college athletic conference which operates in the midwestern
and southeastern United States
. It participates in Division I of the NCAA
; the conference's football
programs compete in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS; formerly known as Division I-AA), the lower of two levels of Division I football competition. The OVC has 11 members, 9 of which compete in football in the conference.
athletic director Roy Stewart, Eastern Kentucky
athletic director Charles "Turkey" Hughes, and Western Kentucky
public relations director Kelly Thompson first formulated the idea of establishing a regional athletics conference. The plan was put on hold due to World War II, but it was resurrected after the conclusion of the war. In 1948, the three schools joined with Louisville
, Morehead State, and Evansville
to form the Ohio Valley Conference.
Historically, OVC was a pioneer in racial desegregation. During times of racial segregation, league member Morehead State became one of the first non-traditionally black mid-southern institutions to accept a black student. In 1958, Marshall Banks received athletically-related aid at Morehead, which signed a second black athlete, Howard Murphy, a year later. In 1961, Murphy earned all-conference recognition as a halfback in football. With racial barriers broken, the rest of the institutions in the league began to provide educational and athletic opportunities to African-Americans.
Today, the OVC is unique among NCAA Division I conferences in that it includes one historically black university
, Tennessee State University
, in a conference that otherwise consists of non-traditionally black institutions. All other HBCUs in NCAA Division I are members of either the MEAC
or SWAC
, conferences made up entirely of HBCUs. (Savannah State University
is a probationary member of the MEAC; all others are full members of one of the two HBCU conferences.)
In the wake of Title IX
, the OVC established women's championships in the sports of basketball, tennis and track in 1977, with cross country and volleyball added over the next four years. Those sports were initially governed by the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women, but were continued when the NCAA became the governing body in 1982.
$ - Jacksonville State (6-1) had the best record in the conference, but was ineligible for the championship due to Academic Progress Rate
sanctions.
Midwestern United States
The Midwestern United States is one of the four U.S. geographic regions defined by the United States Census Bureau, providing an official definition of the American Midwest....
and southeastern United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It participates in Division I of the NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
; the conference's football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
programs compete in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS; formerly known as Division I-AA), the lower of two levels of Division I football competition. The OVC has 11 members, 9 of which compete in football in the conference.
History
The Ohio Valley Conference can trace its roots to 1941 when Murray StateMurray State Racers
Murray State University features 15 varsity sports teams. Both men's and women's teams are called the Racers, with the exception of the baseball team which is known as the Thoroughbreds. They participate in the NCAA's Division I, in the Ohio Valley Conference. Football competes the Football...
athletic director Roy Stewart, Eastern Kentucky
Eastern Kentucky Colonels
EKU fields teams in 15 varsity sports . The school is a member of the Ohio Valley Conference in Division I of the NCAA , having been a part of the conference since its inception in 1948...
athletic director Charles "Turkey" Hughes, and Western Kentucky
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers is the name for all of the men's intercollegiate athletic teams that play for Western Kentucky University. Women's teams are known as Lady Toppers...
public relations director Kelly Thompson first formulated the idea of establishing a regional athletics conference. The plan was put on hold due to World War II, but it was resurrected after the conclusion of the war. In 1948, the three schools joined with Louisville
Louisville Cardinals
The Louisville Cardinals are the athletic teams representing the University of Louisville. A member of the Big East Conference since 2005, they are known nationally as traditional powers in men's basketball, women's volleyball, and dance team...
, Morehead State, and Evansville
Evansville Purple Aces
The Evansville Purple Aces represent the University of Evansville in NCAA Division I sports.-Purple Aces and Ace Purple:The University of Evansville's nickname, the Aces, was acquired after an opposing coach cracked a joke after losing to the Evansville College Pioneers in the 1920s...
to form the Ohio Valley Conference.
Historically, OVC was a pioneer in racial desegregation. During times of racial segregation, league member Morehead State became one of the first non-traditionally black mid-southern institutions to accept a black student. In 1958, Marshall Banks received athletically-related aid at Morehead, which signed a second black athlete, Howard Murphy, a year later. In 1961, Murphy earned all-conference recognition as a halfback in football. With racial barriers broken, the rest of the institutions in the league began to provide educational and athletic opportunities to African-Americans.
Today, the OVC is unique among NCAA Division I conferences in that it includes one historically black university
Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Historically black colleges and universities are institutions of higher education in the United States that were established before 1964 with the intention of serving the black community....
, Tennessee State University
Tennessee State University
Tennessee State University is a land-grant university located in Nashville, Tennessee. TSU is the only state-funded historically black university in Tennessee.-History:...
, in a conference that otherwise consists of non-traditionally black institutions. All other HBCUs in NCAA Division I are members of either the MEAC
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference is a collegiate athletic conference of historically black colleges and universities in the Southeastern United States...
or SWAC
Southwestern Athletic Conference
The Southwestern Athletic Conference is a college athletic conference headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, which is made up of historically black universities in the Southern United States...
, conferences made up entirely of HBCUs. (Savannah State University
Savannah State University
Savannah State University is a four-year, state-supported, historically black university located in Savannah, Georgia. Savannah State holds the distinction as the oldest public historically black university in Georgia...
is a probationary member of the MEAC; all others are full members of one of the two HBCU conferences.)
In the wake of Title IX
Title IX
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a United States law, enacted on June 23, 1972, that amended Title IX of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In 2002 it was renamed the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act, in honor of its principal author Congresswoman Mink, but is most...
, the OVC established women's championships in the sports of basketball, tennis and track in 1977, with cross country and volleyball added over the next four years. Those sports were initially governed by the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women, but were continued when the NCAA became the governing body in 1982.
Member schools
| Institution | Location (Population) |
Founded | Type | Enrollment | Year Joined | Football Member? |
Nickname |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Peay State University Austin Peay State University Austin Peay State University is a four-year public university located in Clarksville, Tennessee, and operated by the Tennessee Board of Regents. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools .-History:... |
Clarksville, Tennessee Clarksville, Tennessee Clarksville is a city in and the county seat of Montgomery County, Tennessee, United States, and the fifth largest city in the state. The population was 132,929 in 2010 United States Census... (119,250) |
1927 | Public | 9,192 | 1962 | Yes | Governors and Lady Govs |
| Eastern Illinois University Eastern Illinois University Eastern Illinois University is a state university located in Charleston, Illinois, United States. Established in 1895 as the Eastern Illinois State Normal School, a teacher's college offering a two-year degree, Eastern Illinois University gradually expanded into a comprehensive university with a... |
Charleston, Illinois Charleston, Illinois Charleston is a city in and the county seat of Coles County, Illinois, United States. The population was 21,838 as of the 2010 census. The city is home to Eastern Illinois University and has close ties with its neighbor Mattoon, Illinois... (21,039) |
1895 | Public | 11,651 | 1996 | Yes | Panthers Eastern Illinois Panthers The Eastern Illinois Panthers are the men's and women's athletic teams representing Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL. Eastern Illinois University's colors are blue and gray. Eastern Illinois sports teams, except for men's soccer and swimming teams, participate in NCAA Division I in... |
| Eastern Kentucky University Eastern Kentucky University Eastern Kentucky University, commonly referred to as Eastern or by the acronym EKU by local residents, is an undergraduate and graduate teaching and research institution located in Richmond, Kentucky, U.S.A.. EKU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools... |
Richmond, Kentucky Richmond, Kentucky There were 10,795 households out of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.2% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.6% were non-families. Of all households, 34.7% were made up of individuals and 8.8% had... (30,008) |
1874 | Public | 16,183 | 1948 | Yes | Colonels and Lady Colonels Eastern Kentucky Colonels EKU fields teams in 15 varsity sports . The school is a member of the Ohio Valley Conference in Division I of the NCAA , having been a part of the conference since its inception in 1948... |
| Jacksonville State University Jacksonville State University Jacksonville State University is a regional public coeducational university located in Jacksonville, Alabama, USA. Founded in 1883, Jacksonville State offers programs of study in four academic units leading to Bachelor's, Master's, and Education Specialist degrees, in addition to continuing and... |
Jacksonville, Alabama Jacksonville, Alabama Jacksonville is a city in Calhoun County, Alabama, United States. which is a 49% increase since 2000. It is included in the Anniston-Oxford Metropolitan Statistical Area... (12,548) |
1883 | Public | 9,504 | 2003 | Yes | Gamecocks |
| Morehead State University Morehead State University Morehead State University is a public, co-educational university located in Morehead, Kentucky, United States in the foothills of the Daniel Boone National Forest in Rowan County, midway between Lexington, Kentucky, and Huntington, West Virginia. The 2012 edition of "America's Best Colleges" by U.S... |
Morehead, Kentucky Morehead, Kentucky As of the census of 2010, there were 6,845 people, households, and families residing in the city. The population density was 726.2 people per square mile. There were 2,356 housing units at an average density of 253.3 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 93.2% White, 3.2% African... (5,914) |
1922 | Public | 9,509 | 1948 | No | Eagles |
| Murray State University Murray State University Murray State University, located in the city of Murray, Kentucky, is a four-year public university with approximately 10,400 students. The school is Kentucky’s only public university to be listed in the U.S.News & World Report regional university top tier for the past 20 consecutive years... |
Murray, Kentucky Murray, Kentucky Murray is a city in Calloway County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 17,741 at the 2010 census and has a micropolitan area population of 37,191. It is the 22nd largest city in Kentucky... (17,741) |
1922 | Public | 10,416 | 1948 | Yes | Racers Murray State Racers Murray State University features 15 varsity sports teams. Both men's and women's teams are called the Racers, with the exception of the baseball team which is known as the Thoroughbreds. They participate in the NCAA's Division I, in the Ohio Valley Conference. Football competes the Football... |
| Southeast Missouri State University Southeast Missouri State University Southeast Missouri State University, is a public, accredited university located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, United States, near the banks of the Mississippi River. The institution, having started as a normal school, has a traditional strength in teacher education... |
Cape Girardeau, Missouri Cape Girardeau, Missouri Cape Girardeau is a city located in Cape Girardeau and Scott counties in Southeast Missouri in the United States. It is located approximately southeast of St. Louis and north of Memphis. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 37,941. A college town, it is the home of Southeast Missouri... (37,525) |
1873 | Public | 9,615 | 1991 | Yes | Redhawks Southeast Missouri State Redhawks The Southeast Missouri State Redhawks are the athletic teams for Southeast Missouri State University, located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Southeast has been a member of NCAA Division I and compete in the Ohio Valley Conference.... |
| Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, commonly abbreviated SIUE, is a four-year coed public university in Edwardsville, Illinois about from St. Louis, Missouri. SIUE was established in 1957 as an extension of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and is the younger of the two largest... |
Edwardsville, Illinois Edwardsville, Illinois Edwardsville is a city in Madison County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 24,293. It is the county seat of Madison County and is the third oldest city in the State of Illinois. The city was named in honor of Ninian Edwards, then Governor of the Illinois... (24,047) |
1957 | Public | 14,133 | 2008 | No | Cougars SIU Edwardsville Cougars The Cougars are the intercollegiate athletic teams of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, located in Edwardsville, Illinois. The Cougars are a member of NCAA Division I and compete within the Ohio Valley Conference... |
| Tennessee State University Tennessee State University Tennessee State University is a land-grant university located in Nashville, Tennessee. TSU is the only state-funded historically black university in Tennessee.-History:... |
Nashville, Tennessee Nashville, Tennessee Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home... (619,626) |
1912 | Public | 10,450 | 1986 | Yes | Tigers and Lady Tigers |
| Tennessee Technological University Tennessee Technological University Tennessee Technological University, popularly known as Tennessee Tech, is an accredited public university located in Cookeville, Tennessee, US, a city approximately seventy miles east of Nashville. It was formerly known as Tennessee Polytechnic Institute , and before that as Dixie College, the... |
Cookeville, Tennessee Cookeville, Tennessee Cookeville is a city in Putnam County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 23,923 at the 2000 census. of Cookeville's population was 30,435, and the combined total of those living in Cookeville's in 2010 was 65,014. It is the county seat of Putnam County and home to Tennessee... (27,648) |
1912 | Public | 9,217 | 1949 | Yes | Golden Eagles |
| University of Tennessee at Martin University of Tennessee at Martin The University of Tennessee at Martin is a campus in the University of Tennessee system. Other campuses include the flagship campus in Knoxville, the Chattanooga campus, the Center for the Health Sciences in Memphis, and the Space Institute in Tullahoma... |
Martin, Tennessee Martin, Tennessee Martin is a city in Weakley County, Tennessee, United States. Martin is the home of the University of Tennessee at Martin. The population was 10,515 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Martin is located at .... (10,515) |
1901 | Public | 5,810 | 1992 | Yes | Skyhawks |
Future members
| Institution | Location (Population) |
Founded | Type | Enrollment | Year Joined | Football Member? |
Nickname |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont University Belmont University Belmont University is a private, coeducational, liberal arts university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. It is the largest Christian university in Tennessee and the second largest private university in the state, behind nearby Vanderbilt University.-Belmont Mansion:Belmont Mansion... |
Nashville, Tennessee Nashville, Tennessee Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home... (619,626) |
1890 | Private/Non-denominational | 5,800 | 2012 | No | Bruins |
Former members
| Institution | Tenure | New Conference | Classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Akron University of Akron The University of Akron is a coeducational public research university located in Akron, Ohio, United States. The university is part of the University System of Ohio. It was founded in 1870 as a small college affiliated with the Universalist Church. In 1913 ownership was transferred to the City of... |
1980–1987 | Independent (now in Mid-American Mid-American Conference The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members... ) |
Division I FBS |
| East Tennessee State University East Tennessee State University East Tennessee State University is an accredited American university located in Johnson City, Tennessee. It is part of the Tennessee Board of Regents system of colleges and universities, the nation's sixth largest system of public education, and is the fourth largest university in the state... |
1958–1978 | Southern Southern Conference The Southern Conference is a Division I college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Southern Conference football teams compete in the Football Championship Subdivision . Member institutions are located in the states of Alabama, Georgia, North... (now in Atlantic Sun Atlantic Sun Conference The Atlantic Sun Conference is a college athletic conference operating in the Southeastern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I; it does not sponsor football. The conference was established in 1978 as the Trans America Athletic Conference... ) |
Division I FCS |
| University of Evansville University of Evansville The University of Evansville is a small, private university with approximately 3,050 students located in Evansville, Indiana. Founded in 1854 as Moores Hill College, it is located near the interchange of the Lloyd Expressway and U.S. Route 41. It is affiliated with the United Methodist Church... |
1948–1952 | ?? (now in Missouri Valley Missouri Valley Conference The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States... ) |
Division I Non-football |
| University of Louisville University of Louisville The University of Louisville is a public university in Louisville, Kentucky. When founded in 1798, it was the first city-owned public university in the United States and one of the first universities chartered west of the Allegheny Mountains. The university is mandated by the Kentucky General... |
1948–1949 | Independent (now in Big East Big East Conference The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports... ) |
Division I FBS |
| Marshall University Marshall University Marshall University is a coeducational public research university in Huntington, West Virginia, United States founded in 1837, and named after John Marshall, the fourth Chief Justice of the United States.... |
1949–1952 | Mid-American Conference Mid-American Conference The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members... (now in Conference USA Conference USA Conference USA, officially abbreviated C-USA, is a college athletic conference whose member institutions are located within the Southern United States. The conference participates in the NCAA's Division I in all sports... ) |
Division I FBS |
| Middle Tennessee State University Middle Tennessee State University Middle Tennessee State University, commonly abbreviated as MTSU, is a public university located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, United States.... |
1952–1998 | Independent (now in Sun Belt Sun Belt Conference The Sun Belt Conference is a college athletic conference that has been affiliated with the NCAA's Division I since 1976. Its football teams participate in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , the higher of two levels of Division I football competition . The Sun Belt has member institutions... ) |
Division I FBS |
| Samford University Samford University Samford University, founded as Howard College is a private, coeducational, Alabama Baptist Convention-affiliated university located in Homewood, a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, United States. It includes the , Cumberland School of Law, McWhorter School of Pharmacy, Brock School of Business, Ida V.... |
2003–2008 | Southern Southern Conference The Southern Conference is a Division I college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Southern Conference football teams compete in the Football Championship Subdivision . Member institutions are located in the states of Alabama, Georgia, North... |
Division I FCS |
| Western Kentucky University Western Kentucky University Western Kentucky University is a public university in Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA. It was formally founded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1906, though its roots reach back a quarter-century earlier.... |
1948–1982, (1999–2000 for football only) | Sun Belt Sun Belt Conference The Sun Belt Conference is a college athletic conference that has been affiliated with the NCAA's Division I since 1976. Its football teams participate in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , the higher of two levels of Division I football competition . The Sun Belt has member institutions... |
Division I FBS |
| Youngstown State University Youngstown State University Youngstown State University, founded in 1908, is an urban research university located in Youngstown, Ohio, United States. As of fall 2010, there were 15,194 students and a student-faculty ratio of 19:1. It is recognized as being one of the premier schools in the country, comparable to Ivy League... |
1981–1992 (1981–1987 for football) | Mid-Continent Mid-Continent Conference The Summit League is an NCAA Division I college athletic conference which operates in the Midwestern United States. On June 1, 2007, the conference changed its name from the Mid-Continent Conference.- Current membership :... /Football Independent (now in Horizon League Horizon League The Horizon League is a ten school, NCAA Division I college athletic conference whose members are located in five of the Midwestern United States.... /Missouri Valley Football Conference) |
Division I FCS |
Sports offered
The Ohio Valley Conference currently offers 17 sports, 8 for men and 9 for women.- Men's sports
- BaseballCollege baseballCollege baseball is baseball that is played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education. Compared to football and basketball, college competition in the United States plays a less significant contribution to cultivating professional players, as the minor leagues primarily...
- BasketballCollege basketballCollege basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
- Cross CountryCross country runningCross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
- FootballCollege footballCollege football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
- GolfGolfGolf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
- Indoor TrackTrack and fieldTrack and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
- Outdoor TrackTrack and fieldTrack and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
- TennisTennisTennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
- Baseball
- Women's sports
- BasketballCollege basketballCollege basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
- Cross CountryCross country runningCross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
- GolfGolfGolf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
- Indoor TrackTrack and fieldTrack and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
- Outdoor TrackTrack and fieldTrack and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
- SoccerCollege soccerCollege soccer is a term used to describe association football played by teams who are operated by colleges and universities as opposed to a professional league operated for exclusively financial purposes...
- SoftballCollege softballCollege softball is softball as played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education, predominantly in the United States. College softball is normally played by women at the intercollegiate level, whereas college baseball is normally played by men.As with other intercollegiate...
- TennisTennisTennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
- VolleyballVolleyballVolleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
- Basketball
Football conference champions
This is a partial list of the last 10 champions. For the complete history, see List of Ohio Valley Conference football champions.| Year | Regular Season Champion | Record | FCS Championship Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Western Kentucky | 7-0 | Quarterfinals |
| 2001 | Eastern Illinois | 6-1 | First Round |
| 2002 | Eastern Illinois Murray State |
5–1 | First Round |
| 2003 | Jacksonville State | 7-1 | First Round |
| 2004 | Jacksonville State | 7–1 | First Round |
| 2005 | Eastern Illinois | 8–0 | First Round |
| 2006 | UT Martin Eastern Illinois |
6-1 7-1 |
First Round |
| 2007 | Eastern Kentucky | 8-0 | First Round |
| 2008 | Eastern Kentucky | 7-1 | First Round |
| 2009 | Eastern Illinois $ | 6-2 | First Round |
| 2010 | Southeast Missouri State | 7-1 | First Round |
$ - Jacksonville State (6-1) had the best record in the conference, but was ineligible for the championship due to Academic Progress Rate
Academic Progress Rate
The Academic Progress Rate, sometimes also known as Academic Performance Rating and generally abbreviated as APR, is a metric established by the NCAA to indicate the success of collegiate athletic teams in moving student athletes towards graduation . It was instituted in February of 2005...
sanctions.
Men's basketball
This is a partial list of the last 10 champions. For the complete history, see List of Ohio Valley Conference men's basketball champions.| Year | Regular Season Champion | Record | Tournament Champion |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001–02 | Tennessee Tech | 15–1 | Murray State |
| 2002–03 | Austin Peay Morehead State |
13-3 | Austin Peay |
| 2003–04 | Austin Peay | 16–0 | Murray State |
| 2004–05 | Tennessee Tech | 12–4 | Eastern Kentucky |
| 2005–06 | Murray State | 17-3 | Murray State |
| 2006–07 | Austin Peay | 16–4 | Eastern Kentucky |
| 2007–08 | Austin Peay | 16–4 | Austin Peay Tournament 2008 Ohio Valley Conference Men's Basketball Tournament The 2008 Ohio Valley Conference Men's Basketball Tournament took place from March 4–8, 2008. The first round was hosted by the better seed in each game. The semifinals and finals will take place at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee... |
| 2008–09 | UT Martin | 14-4 | Morehead State Tournament 2009 Ohio Valley Conference Men's Basketball Tournament The 2009 Ohio Valley Conference Men's Basketball Tournament took place on March 3, 6, and 7, 2009. The first round was hosted by the better seed in each game, and the semifinals and finals took place at Sommet Center in Nashville, Tennessee... |
| 2009–10 | Murray State | 17-1 | Murray State Tournament 2010 Ohio Valley Conference Men's Basketball Tournament -External links:***... |
| 2010–11 | Murray State | 14-4 | Morehead State Tournament 2011 Ohio Valley Conference Men's Basketball Tournament -Outcome:Morehead St. defeated Tennessee Tech, 80–73 in the final of the Ohio Valley Conference tournament in Nashville. They will move on to their second NCAA tournament in the past three years and fourth overall... |
Conference facilities
| School | Football stadium | Basketball arena | Baseball stadium | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Capacity | Name | Capacity | Name | Capacity | |
| Austin Peay | Governors Stadium Governors Stadium Governors Stadium is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose stadium in Clarksville, Tennessee. It opened in 1946 and is home to the Austin Peay State University Governors football team.- History :... |
10,000 | Dunn Center Dunn Center Dunn Center is a 9,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Clarksville, Tennessee. It was built in 1975. It is home to the Austin Peay State University Governors basketball team. It hosted the Ohio Valley Conference men's basketball tournament in 1977... |
9,000 | Raymond C. Hand Park | 1,000 |
| Eastern Illinois | O'Brien Stadium O'Brien Stadium O'Brien Stadium is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose stadium in Charleston, Illinois. It is home to the Eastern Illinois University Panthers football and track and field teams. The stadium also plays host to the IHSA State Finals in track and field every year... |
10,000 | Lantz Arena Lantz Arena Lantz Arena is a 5,300-seat multi-purpose arena in Charleston, Illinois. It is home to the Eastern Illinois University Panthers basketball team.... |
5,300 | Coaches Stadium | 500 |
| Eastern Kentucky | Roy Kidd Stadium Roy Kidd Stadium Roy Kidd Stadium is Eastern Kentucky University's football stadium in Richmond, Kentucky. The stadium is home to the EKU Colonels football team, located on campus. Currently, Roy Kidd Stadium consists of upper and lower level seating areas with a predominant majority of the seats being metal... |
20,000 | Alumni Coliseum Alumni Coliseum Alumni Coliseum is a multi-use sports arena located on the campus of Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky, USA. Built in 1963, the Paul S... |
6,300 | Turkey Hughes Field Turkey Hughes Field Turkey Hughes Field, is a baseball stadium in Richmond, Kentucky. It is the home field of the Eastern Kentucky University Colonels college baseball team. The stadium was opened in the 1960's and was named in honor of former EKU baseball coach Turkey Hughes.... |
N/A |
| Jacksonville State | JSU Stadium | 24,000 | Pete Mathews Coliseum Pete Mathews Coliseum Pete Mathews Coliseum is a 5,300-seat multi-purpose arena in Jacksonville, Alabama. It is home to the Jacksonville State University Gamecocks men's and women's basketball teams as well as the women's volleyball team. It also hosts the annual Calhoun County High School Basketball Tournament held... |
5,800 | Rudy Abbott Field Rudy Abbott Field Rudy Abbott Field is a baseball field located in Jacksonville, Alabama. It has been home to the Jacksonville State University Gamecocks baseball team since 1995. The field has a capacity of 1,500 and is named for former baseball coach Rudy Abbott.... |
1,000 |
| Morehead State | Jayne Stadium Jayne Stadium Jayne Stadium is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose stadium in Morehead, Kentucky, United States. It opened in 1964 and is home to the Morehead State University Eagles football team.-References:... |
10,000 | Ellis Johnson Arena Ellis Johnson Arena Ellis T. Johnson Arena is a 6,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Morehead, Kentucky, in the United States. It was built in 1981. It is home to the Morehead State University Eagles basketball team. It hosted the Ohio Valley Conference men's basketball tournament in 1984. It replaced Wetherby Gymnasium.... |
6,500 | John "Sonny" Allen Field | 1,200 |
| Murray State | Roy Stewart Stadium Roy Stewart Stadium Roy Stewart Stadium is a 16,800-seat multi-purpose stadium in Murray, Kentucky. It opened in 1973 and is home to the Murray State University Racers football, rifle and women's track and field teams... |
16,800 | CFSB Center | 8,602 | Johnny Reagan Field | N/A |
| Southeast Missouri State | Houck Stadium Houck Stadium Houck Stadium is a 11,015-seat multi-purpose stadium in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. It opened in 1930 and was named after famous Missouri resident Louis Houck. Today it is home to the Southeast Missouri State University Redhawks football team and Women's Soccer team.The stadium used to be open on... |
11,015 | Show Me Center Show Me Center The Show Me Center is a multi-purpose arena, located on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.Since its opening in 1987, this joint project between the City of Cape Girardeau and the university, annually hosts, approximately, 250 meeting room and 160 arena... |
6,972 | Capaha Park | N/A |
| SIU-Edwardsville | Non-Football School | N/A | Vadalabene Center Vadalabene Center The Sam M. Vadalabene Center also known as the VC, is multi-purpose arena on the campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a capacity of 4,200. It is home to the Cougar basketball, volleyball, and wrestling team. The facility opened in 1984... |
4,000 | SimmonsCooper Complex | N/A |
| UT Martin | Graham Stadium Graham Stadium Hardy M. Graham Stadium is a 8,500-seat multi-purpose stadium in Martin, Tennessee. It is home to the University of Tennessee at Martin Skyhawks football team. The facility opened in 1964.- Namesake of the stadium :... |
8,000 | Skyhawk Arena Skyhawk Arena Skyhawk Arena is a 7,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Martin, Tennessee. It is home to the University of Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks basketball team.... |
7,000 | Skyhawk Baseball Field | 1,000 |
| Tennessee State | LP Field LP Field LP Field is a football stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, United States, owned by the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County.... |
68,000 | Gentry Complex Gentry Complex Gentry Complex is a 10,500-seat multi-purpose arena on the campus of Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee. The arena opened in 1980. It is home to the TSU Tigers basketball team. The Gentry Complex is situated on the main campus of Tennessee State University, a land-grant institution... |
10,500 | Non-Baseball School | N/A |
| Tennessee Tech | Tucker Stadium Tucker Stadium Tucker Stadium, named for former head coach, Wilburn Tucker , is a 16,500-seat multi-purpose stadium in Cookeville, Tennessee. It is home to the Tennessee Technological University Golden Eagles football team.-External Links:*... |
16,500 | Eblen Center Eblen Center Hooper Eblen Center is a 10,152-seat multi-purpose arena in Cookeville, Tennessee. It is home to the Tennessee Technological University Golden Eagles basketball team.... |
10,152 | Bush Stadium Bush Stadium Owen J. "Donie" Bush Stadium is the name of a stadium formerly used by minor league baseball team Indianapolis Indians in Indianapolis, Indiana. Its street address is 1501 West 16th Street... |
1,500 |