RFC Summer Semester--Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC)--(NCAA Division III)

Looking back: DePauw left the SCAC on a high note, as the Tigers cruised to an unbeaten record in conference play in 2010.  Aside from Millsaps, whose Majors finished second in league play at 5-1, every other current conference member lost at least three games in SCAC action.

Looking ahead: The seven remaining members of the SCAC should be breathing a big sigh of relief in 2011, as DePauw has left that conference, and will compete as an independent this year, while completing the transition to the North Coast Athletic Conference in 2012.  Also, Birmingham-Southern from Alabama will play its first full season in the SCAC after playing the last three seasons being ineligible for the conference crown.

But wait, there's more! The presidents of five of the current seven SCAC football playing schools announced in early June that they would withdraw from the SCAC to form a new conference, effective in 2012. That move might force the two Texas-based schools in that league, Austin and Trinity, to find a new conference for their respective athletics departments.  


Also, Hendrix College of Conway, Ark., will bring back its football program by 2013, after an absence of more than 50 years.  Even with the addition of Hendrix, the "new" SCAC, or whatever other name is suggested for the new conference, would still be one school shy of the seven schools needed to seek an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs.  Don't be surprised if schools such as Huntingdon and Mississippi College are approached by the new "SCAC" for future membership.


Website: http://www.scacsports.com/


Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)

1. Millsaps (7-3):  The Majors could be the biggest beneficiaries of DePauw's departure from the SCAC, as they look to reload after ending the season with five straight wins following a 2-3 start.  If the Majors hope to earn their third NCAA Division III playoff appearance since 2006, they'll have to put in the frequent rider miles, as they play just four games at home in 2011.



2. Centre (6-4):  The Colonels look ahead to a new season, with Andy Frye beginning his 14th campaign as their head coach.  With a career record of 78-51, Frye needs just two wins for his 80th career victory.

3. Birmingham-Southern (6-4):  Now that they're fully eligible to win the SCAC title, the Panthers will look to be on the "prowl" in 2011.  Like Millsaps, however, B-SC will be at home for just four games this season.

4. Rhodes (4-6):  The Lynx program welcomes a new head coach in Dan Gritti. 


5. Trinity (Tex.)--(4-6):  The Tigers look to bounce back after suffering a rare losing season. Head Coach Steve Mohr enters his 22nd season at the Trinity helm, with more than 160 wins already under his belt.


6. Austin (4-5):  The Kangaroos will have their 1981 NAIA national championship team inducted into its institution's "Hall of Honor", 30 years later.  As for the 2011 squad, they hope to improve on a 2-4 finish in SCAC play from a year ago.


7. Sewanee (University of the South)--(1-9):  These Tigers from Tennessee are in the "nowhere to go but up" department after a winless conference season in 2010.  Their longest road trip of the 2011 season will take them to Tacoma, Wash., where they'll face Puget Sound on September 17.