What it is: The Great American Conference was formed in late 2010, and will start play in 2011 with nine schools. Of those institutions, six are from the state of Arkansas, all former members of the Gulf South Conference, as well as three from the state of Oklahoma, formerly of the Lone Star Conference.
Looking back: Of the so-called "Arkansas Six" to join the GAC, Henderson State had the best record of that group, as the Reddies finished last season at 7-4, 6-2 in GSC play, good enough for a three-way share of the conference title. Of the three Oklahoma institutions to join the GAC, East Central had the best record of that trio, finishing 5-6, while winning a share of the North Division title at 5-1, in its final season in the Lone Star Conference.
Looking ahead: As the GAC enters its inaugural season of play, it's anybody's guess as to which team will come out on top. Also, the GAC will go from nine to 11 member schools within the next two years. Southern Nazarene University from Bethany, Okla. will join the conference in 2012, while Northwestern Oklahoma State University hopes to join the league by 2013, despite recently being turned down by the NCAA for Division II status.
Website: http://www.greatamericanconference.com/
Predicted order of finish (2010 overall record in parentheses)
1. Henderson State (7-4): The Reddies will go from winning a share of a Gulf South Conference championship, to trying to win a title in the new Great American Conference.
2. Ouachita Baptist (6-4): The Tigers finished 4-4 in their final GSC season last year.
3. East Central (5-6): The Tigers from Oklahoma will play four of their six games of 2011 on the road.
4. Harding (6-4): The Bisons will make back-to-back trips into Alabama to face former GSC foes North Alabama, and West Alabama, respectively.
5. Arkansas Tech (4-7): After advancing to the NCAA playoffs three times (1999, 2004, 2009), including one conference crown (1999), as a GSC member, the Wonder Boys embark on a new era as a member of the GAC.
6. Southeastern Oklahoma State (3-8): The Savage Storm will open the 2011 season at home against former Lone Star Conference member Central Oklahoma.
7. Arkansas-Monticello (4-7): The Boll Weevils won at least seven or more games just twice as a member of the GSC. It's something they hope to change as a member of the GAC.
8. Southwestern Oklahoma State (3-8): The Bulldogs finished 3-3 in LSC play last season.
9. Southern Arkansas (1-9): The Muleriders enter a new season, as well as a new conference, after struggling to a 1-7 mark in GSC play last season.
5 years ago
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