Elon Phoenix is the name that denotes the 16 intercollegiate co-ed athletics played at Elon University. These men’s and women’s sports are all in the NCAA Division I. They are a part of the Southern Conference as well. Aside from the intercollegiate sports, Elon also offers 18 intramural sports and 21 club sports.[1]
Many people wonder where and how Elon came to be known as the Phoenix. Elon used to be known as the Fightin’ Christians as a response to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and the Duke Blue Devils. However, their mascot was changed to the Phoenix when the university's sports program joined Division 1. The nickname refers to the school's “rising from the ashes” after a very damaging fire in 1923.[2]
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The Elon Phoenix is a part of the Southern Conference. The Southern Conference has been leading the way, as it was the first conference to install the three-point goal in basketball and establish a basketball tournament. It is commonly known as the SoCon and consists of 19 varsity sports (10 for men and 9 for women) and 12 members in 5 states. It is the nation’s 5th oldest NCAA Division I collegiate athletic association.[3]
The Elon Phoenix is amongst the 12 members of the SoCon. It joined the association in 2003 and actually won the Men's Basketball championship in 2005-2006.
| Coach | Tenure |
|---|---|
| Robert "Bob" Doak | 1911–1915 |
| C.C. “Jack” Johnson | 1915–1920 |
| Frank B. Corboy | 1920–1926 |
| William M. Jay | 1926–1927 |
| D.C. “Peahead” Walker | 1927–1937 |
| Horace “Horse” Hendrickson | 1937–1942 |
| Lacy B. Adcox | 1944–1946 |
| L.J. “Hap” Perry | 1946–1947 |
| Garland Causey | 1947–1948 |
| Harold Pope | 1948–1949 |
| Graham “Doc” Mathis | 1949–1959 |
| William “Bill” Miller | 1959–1979 |
| William “Bill” Morningstar | 1979–1986 |
| Robert “Bob” Burton | 1986–1993 |
| Mark Simmons | 1993–2003 |
| Ernie Nestor | 2003–2009 |
| Matt Matheny | 2009–Present |
On February 9, 2009, Elon retired its first basketball Jerseys, honoring All-Americans Jesse Branson (’65) and Tommy Cole (’72).
| Coach | Tenure |
|---|---|
| Kay Yow | 1975–1985 |
| Mary Jackson | 1915–1920 |
| Jackie Myers | 1985–1994 |
| Brenda Paul | 1994–2008 |
| Karen Barefoot | 2008-2011 |
| Charlotte Smith (basketball) | 2011-Present |