Gulf Star Conference

Gulf Star Conference
Established 1984
Dissolved 1987
Association NCAA
Division Division I
Members 6
Region Southern United States
Locations

The Gulf Star Conference was a conference that existed from 1984-85 to 1986-87. It lasted for three school years. All of the schools subsequently joined the Southland Conference. Dave Waples was the only Commissioner, with the Conference office located in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Although the Southland eventually took in all of the former Gulf Star schools, only four (Northwestern State, Sam Houston State, Stephen F. Austin, and Southwest Texas State) joined the Southland immediately upon the Gulf Star's demise. The other two Gulf Star members, Nicholls State and Southeastern Louisiana, initially became independents. Nicholls State joined the SLC for the 1991–92 school year. SLU became a member of the Trans America Athletic Conference (now known as the Atlantic Sun Conference) in that same year, and moved to the Southland in 1997–98. Five of the six remain in the Southland today. The one exception is Southwest Texas State, now known as Texas State. It joined the Western Athletic Conference in July 2012 and moved to the Sun Belt Conference a year later.

Members

Institution Nickname Location Founded Type Joined Left Subsequent
Conference(s)
Current
Conference
Nicholls State University[1] Colonels Thibodaux, Louisiana 1948 Public 1984 1987 Independent
(1987-88 to 1990-91)
Southland
(1991-92 to Present)
Northwestern State University Demons Natchitoches, Louisiana 1884 Public 1984 1987 Southland
(1987-88 to Present)
Sam Houston State University Bearkats Huntsville, Texas 1879 Public 1984 1987 Southland
(1987-88 to Present)
Southeastern Louisiana University Lions Hammond, Louisiana 1925 Public 1984 1987 Independent
(1987-88 to 1990-91)
Atlantic Sun (A-Sun)
(1991-92 to 1996-97)
Southland
(1997-98 to Present)
Southwest Texas State University Bobcats San Marcos, Texas 1899 Public 1984 1987 Southland
(1987-88 to 2011-12)
WAC
(2012-13)
Sun Belt
(2013-14 to Present)
Stephen F. Austin State University Lumberjacks (men's)
Ladyjacks (women's)
Nacogdoches, Texas 1921 Public 1984 1987 Southland
(1987-88 to Present)

Championships

Baseball

Gulf Star Conference baseball champions
Season Team Record
1985 Sam Houston State 12–6
1986 Sam Houston State 16–4
1987 Sam Houston State 17–3

Football

Gulf Star Conference football champions
Season Team Record
1984 Nicholls State 4–1
Northwestern State
1985 Sam Houston State 4–1
Stephen F. Austin
1985 Sam Houston State 4–1

Men's basketball

Gulf Star Conference basketball champions
Season Team Record
1984–85 Southeastern Louisiana
1985–86 Sam Houston State
1986–87 Stephen F. Austin

References