Lander Bearcats
The Lander Bearcats are the athletic teams that represent Lander University, located in Greenwood, South Carolina, in intercollegiate sports at the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the Peach Belt Conference since the 1990–91 academic year.
| Lander Bearcats | |
|---|---|
| University | Lander University |
| Conference | Peach Belt (primary) Gulf South (women's lacrosse) Southern Rugby (men's rugby) Conference Carolinas (acrobatics & tumbling, wrestling) South Atlantic (field hockey) |
| NCAA | Division II |
| Athletic director | Brian Reese |
| Location | Greenwood, South Carolina |
| First season | 1968 |
| Varsity teams | 26 (10 men's, 14 women's, 2 co-ed) |
| Basketball arena | Finis Horne Arena |
| Baseball stadium | Stephen B. Dolny Stadium |
| Softball stadium | Doug Spears Field |
| Soccer stadium | Van Taylor Stadium |
| Lacrosse stadium | Van Taylor Stadium |
| Tennis venue | Joe Cabri Tennis Center |
| Nickname | Bearcats |
| Colors | Royal blue and gold |
| Website | landerbearcats |
| Team NCAA championships | |
| 8 | |
| Individual and relay NCAA champions | |
| 1 | |
The Bearcats compete as members of the Peach Belt Conference for 14 of their current varsity sports. Lander has been a member of the Peach Belt since 1990 and has won 26 PBC Tournament championships while winning or sharing 36 regular-season titles.
Women's lacrosse plays in the Gulf South Conference, while men's rugby is part of the Southern Rugby Conference. The acrobatics & tumbling and wrestling teams compete in Conference Carolinas and the field hockey program is part of South Atlantic Conference.
Lander's major rival is Erskine, a fellow NCAA Division II institution whose campus is located 19 miles (31 km) away. Within the Peach Belt, Lander enjoys a rivalry with USC Aiken, the PBC member closest in proximity.