Xavier Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets
The Xavier Gold Rush (men's teams) and Gold Nuggets (women's teams) represent Xavier University of Louisiana in intercollegiate athletics.[1] The University is a Division I member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference.[2]
Xavier Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets | |
---|---|
University | Xavier University of Louisiana |
Conference | GCAC |
NAIA | Division I |
Athletic director | Jason Horn |
Location | New Orleans, Louisiana |
Basketball arena | Convocation Center |
Other arenas | City Park Cross Country Course Tad Gormley Stadium XULA Tennis Center |
Nickname | Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets |
Website | www |
Sports sponsored
Men's sports | Women's sports |
---|---|
Basketball | Basketball |
Cross country | Cross country |
Tennis | Tennis |
Track and field | Track and field |
Volleyball |
Accomplishments
- NAIA Division I National Championship Appearances (17): 2015–16, 2014–15, 2013–14, 2012–13, 2011–12, 2010–11, 2007–08, 2006–07, 2004–05, 2003–04, 2000–01, 1996–97, 1990–91, 1981–82, 1980–81, 1972–73, 1971–72
- Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Regular-Season Champions (10): 2013–14, 2012–13, 2011–12, 2006–07, 2003–04, 2000–01, 1986–87, 1985–86, 1982–83, 1981–82
- Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament Champions (1): 1995-96
- Gulf Coast Athletic Conference/NAIA District 30 Tournament Champions (2): 1990–91, 1981–82
- NAIA District 30 Tournament Champions (3): 1980–81, 1972–73, 1971–72
- Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament Champions (3): 1940–41, 1938–39, 1937–38
Accomplishments
- NAIA Division I National Championship Appearances (19): 2015–16, 2013–14, 2012–13, 2011–12, 2010–11, 2009–10, 2007–08, 2006–07, 2004–05, 2003–04, 2002–03, 2001–02, 2000–01, 1998–99, 1997–98, 1996–97, 1995–96, 1994–95, 1993–94
- Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Regular-Season Champions (13): 2012–13, 2011–12, 2009–10, 2004–05, 2003–04, 2002–03, 2000–01, 1996–97, 1995–96, 1994–95, 1993–94, 1986–87, 1981–82
- Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament Champions (13): 2015–16, 2013–14, 2011–12, 2010–11, 2009–10, 2007–08, 2004–05, 2000–01, 1996–97, 1995–96, 1994–95, 1993-94
- Gulf Coast Athletic Conference/NAIA District 30 Tournament Champions (2): 1989–90, 1981–82
- NAIA District 30 Tournament Champions (1): 1980-81
Accomplishments
- NAIA National Championship Appearances (13): Team in 2014, 2012, 2011, 2009, 2008, 2002; individuals in 2013, 2003, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1994
- NAIA Region XIII Champions (1): 2002
- Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Champions (9): 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006
Accomplishments
- NAIA National Championship Appearances (9): Team in 2014, 2012, 2011, 2009, 2008, 2002; individuals in 2013, 2003, 2001
- NAIA Region XIII Champions (1): 2002
- Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Champions (10): 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2002
Accomplishments
- NAIA National Championship Appearances (8): 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009
- Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Champions (5): 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005
- NAIA Unaffiliated Group Champions (3): 2013, 2012, 2011
Accomplishments
- NAIA National Championship Appearances (9): 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2005, 2004
- Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Champions (7): 2010, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002
- NAIA Unaffiliated Group Champions (3): 2014, 2013, 2012
Accomplishments
- Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Outdoor Champions (14): 1958, 1957, 1955, 1953, 1952, 1951, 1949, 1948, 1943, 1942, 1941, 1940, 1939, 1938
- Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Outdoor Champions (1): 2004
Accomplishments
Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Outdoor Champions (5): 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2004
Accomplishments
- NAIA National Championship Appearances (5): 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011
- Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Regular-Season Champions (5): 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011
- Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament Champions (5): 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011
Accomplishments
Black College National Championships Appearances, Collegiate All Girls (2): first place in 2004, second place in 2003
Accomplishments
Black College National Championships Appearances (2): fourth place in 2004, third place in 2003
Former varsity sports
Football
Xavier University formerly sponsored a varsity football team starting in 1925.[3] In 1955, Xavier played the Keesler Air Force Base team in Louisiana's first integrated college football game.[4] The team's last season was 1959 and the program was disbanded in 1960 along with all sports at the university.[5][4] The team played at the XU Football Field located in Xavier Stadium.[5][6]
Athletics facilities
Xavier University Academic Convocation Center
The Xavier University Academic Convocation Center opened in November 2012. The 97,000 square-foot multipurpose facility replaced The Barn (Xavier's 1,300-seat gymnasium which opened in 1937) and became the new home of XU men's basketball, women's basketball and women's volleyball.[7] The 3,937-seat facility includes a hospitality suite, a student-athlete fitness center, a media/video room, a theatre-style meeting space, and a state-of-the-art athletic training facility. The arena contains state-of-the-art sound, lighting and high-definition Daktronics video boards for spectator comfort.[8] The Convocation Center also plays host to many classes, graduations, sporting and community events.
Convocation Center Annex
As part of the growth of the Xavier main campus as well as the athletics department, the Convocation Center Annex project was completed in 2012. The facility, located adjacent to the Convocation Center, is an academic building featuring several classrooms, reception and lecture spaces, meeting spaces, and administrative offices of the Athletics Department, Recreation Sports and Physical Education.
City Park Cross Country Course
Xavier's cross country teams compete on the City Park Cross Country Course in City Park, a public facility. The mostly flat course is approximately three miles from the XU campus and is near the corner of Wisner Boulevard and Harrison Avenue. Xavier competed twice at City Park in 2014, including the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championships. City Park covers 1,300 acres and was established in 1853. It is approximately 50 percent larger than Central Park in New York City. City Park holds the world's largest collection of mature live oak trees, some older than 600 years in age.
Tad Gormley Stadium
Xavier's track and field teams compete at Tad Gormley Stadium (located at City Park, 2.6 miles from XU's campus) and practices regularly at the City Park Practice Track adjacent to the stadium.[9] Tad Gormley Stadium offers great versatility for staging events in New Orleans - from outdoor athletic competitions to concerts and corporate special events. Gormley was the site of the 1992 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials, the 1993 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships and the 1998 U.S. Track and Field Championships.
Gormley's address is 5400 Stadium Drive, New Orleans, LA 70124.
Stadium Features • 26,500 permanent seats • 400-meter polyurethane track • Artificial turf playing field • Three locker rooms • Press box with seating for 110 • Press suite with seating for 40 • Electronic scoreboard and state-of-the-art sound system
XULA Tennis Center
The XULA Tennis Center opened on October 26, 2012, as the home of XU men's and women's tennis.
Facility Facts
- GPS Driving Location: 3619 Pine St., New Orleans LA 70125
- Facility cost: $2.5 million
- Architect: Manning Architects
- Contractor: Gibbs Construction
- First women's dual match: Xavier 9, Loyola 0 on January 25, 2013
- First men's dual match: Xavier 7, Loyola 2 on February 6, 2013
- First collegiate dual match not involving Xavier: Idaho 4, Youngstown State 3 (women) on March 10, 2013
The Barn
The Barn was the former home arena for the men's and women's basketball teams and volleyball team located on the Xavier campus. It opened in 1937 and was demolished in 2013.[7]
Xavier Stadium
Xavier Stadium is a former stadium that included the XU football field and also a track.[3][5] It was the former home of the Xavier football team and track and field team.[3] The stadium was located at the corner of Washington Street and Pine Street in New Orleans.[6]
Fitness Center
On June 24, 2015, the university opened its Fitness Center. The $3.6 million facility is built between the Living Learning Center and St. Martin de Porres Hall, Xavier's two largest student residences on the site of the former B. Samuels building, which was bought and demolished. The first floor of the two-story facility offers an NCAA/NAIA regulation-sized basketball court, an office, a lounge area and an area with free weights and weight machines. The second floor consists of a three-lane walking/running track, a cardio room, spin studio and other multifunctional studios. Exercise machines will be available throughout the facility. The basketball court will be mostly used for intramural events such as basketball and volleyball, large exercise classes, fitness activities, yoga, dance and Zumba classes. The court can be divided with a retractable curtain to offer multiple activities simultaneously. This is the fourth XU athletics facility to open in three years.
References
- "Xavier University of Louisiana Athletics". xulagold.com. Retrieved 2018-02-06.
- "GCAC Members". gcaconf.com. Retrieved 2018-03-03.
- "The last captain: Xavier meant the world to Otis Washington, and then suddenly it was gone". theadvocate.com. Retrieved 2018-02-06.
- Kemper, Kurt Edward (2009). College Football and American Culture in the Cold War Era. University of Illinois Press. p. 84. ISBN 978-0252034664. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
- "The Last Snap: Xavier Bids Farewell To Football" (PDF). xula.edu. Retrieved 2018-03-04.
- New Orleans City Guide 1938. Garrett County Press. 1938. p. 38. ISBN 189105340X. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
- "Convocation Center". xulagold.com. Retrieved 2018-03-03.
- "Academic Convocation Center at Xavier University Opens for Basketball Season". populous.com. Retrieved 2018-03-03.
- "Tad Gormley Stadium". New Orleans City Park. Retrieved 2018-03-03.