Editor's Note: This is the finale of a two part series on the independent teams competing at the NCAA Division II level. Part 2 consists of teams listed in alphabetical order, from Oklahoma Panhandle State to William Jewell.
Looking back: Of the remaining seven teams profiled in this post, Sioux Falls has the most storied tradition of that "septet", as the Cougars won four NAIA national championships over a span of 15 years, dating back to 1996. Three of those titles, though, came over the last five years (2006, 2008, 2009). USF had a shot to make four crowns in five years, only to be denied by Carroll (Mont.) in last year's title game.
Looking ahead: After being one of the most dominant programs at the NAIA level for the better part of the last decade, Sioux Falls embarks on a new era in 2011, as the Cougars begin the transition to the NCAA Division II ranks. Also, programs such as St. Joseph's, Urbana, and William Jewell, among others, will join the Great Lakes Valley Conference in 2012.
2010 overall record in parentheses
Oklahoma Panhandle State (6-5): Aggies signed multiple players from places as far as New Jersey, Chicago, and Sacramento, Calif., during the offseason. Yes, they even signed more than their fair share of players from Texas.
Sioux Falls (13-1): The Cougars first transitional season in the NCAA D-II ranks includes games against perennial powerhouse Northwest Missouri State, as well as games against McNeese State and North Dakota from the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS)--(formerly NCAA Division I-AA).
Southwest Baptist (7-4): A seven-game winning streak was sandwiched in between a pair of back-to-back losses to both start and end the 2010 season, respectively. As for 2011, the Bearcats will play their final three games at home, after playing six of their first games on the road.
St. Joseph's (5-5): Like Southwest Baptist, the Pumas also had a "Jekyll and Hyde" season in 2010, losing their first three games, followed by a five-game winning streak, and ending it with back-to-back losses.
UNC Pembroke (5-5): After a 2009 playoff season, the Braves fell back to earth in 2010, losing three straight games to end last year after starting it at 5-2. The most interesting fact about the 2011 schedule is that UNCP will play all but two of its games within the Carolinas; eight in North Carolina, and one in South Carolina.
Urbana (5-6): The Ohio-based Blue Knights hope a three-game winning streak to end 2010 will carry over into 2011.
William Jewell (4-7): The Missouri-based Cardinals are looking to get off to a fresh start as an NCAA Division II program, after years of competing at the NAIA level. They plan to join the Great Lakes Valley Conference by 2012.
4 years ago
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