West Georgia Wolves#Football
{{short description|Athletic teams representing the University of West Georgia}}
{{Infobox college athletics
| name = West Georgia Wolves
| logo = West Georgia Wolves logo.svg
| logo_width = 200
| university = University of West Georgia
| association = NCAA
| conference = ASUN (primary)
United Athletic Conference (football)
| division = Division I (FCS)
| director = Jason Carmichael
| location = Carrollton, Georgia
| teams = 16
| mens_teams = 7
| womens_teams = 9
| coed_teams =
| stadium = University Stadium
| basketballarena = The Coliseum
| baseballfield = Cole Field
| softballstadium = University Softball Field
| soccerstadium = University Soccer Field
| mascot =
| nickname = Wolves
(formerly Braves)
| pageurl = https://uwgathletics.com/
| ncaa titles =
| indiv_relay ncaa champs =
}}
The West Georgia Wolves (UWG Wolves, formerly the West Georgia Braves) are the athletic teams that represent the University of West Georgia, located in Carrollton, Georgia, in NCAA Division I intercollegiate sports. The Wolves compete as members of the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) for their 16 varsity sports. West Georgia had been a member of the Gulf South Conference since 1983, until it was announced that it would be joining NCAA Division I as an ASUN member starting in 2024, while the football team is part of the United Athletic Conference, a joint venture of the Atlantic Sun and Western Athletic Conference.{{Cite news |last=McCray |first=Vanessa |title=University of West Georgia to move to NCAA Division I |language=English |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |url=https://www.ajc.com/education/university-of-west-georgia-to-move-to-ncaa-division-i/NYJ2KE7HTNDWLLNOBKES5Z6FEY/ |access-date=2023-09-08 |issn=1539-7459}}{{Cite web |last=Chavkin |first=Daniel |date=2023-09-08 |title=NCAA Division II Powerhouse Announces Move to Division I |url=https://www.si.com/college/2023/09/08/west-georgia-wolves-announce-move-division-1 |access-date=2023-09-08 |website=Sports Illustrated |language=en-us}}
Sports sponsored
class="wikitable"; style= "text-align: "
! width= 150px style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|West Georgia Wolves|border=1|color= white }}"| Men's sports ! width= 150px style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|West Georgia Wolves|border=1|color= white }}"| Women's sports | |
Baseball | Basketball |
Basketball | Beach volleyball{{refn|To be added in 2025–26.|group=n|name=beachv}} |
Cross country | Cross country |
Football | Golf |
Golf | Soccer |
Track & field{{sup|1}} | Softball |
Stunt{{refn|An all-female cheerleading discipline emphasizing acrobatics; part of the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program. (currently operating as a club sport; to be upgraded to full varsity status at an indeterminate future date).|group=n|name=stunt}} | |
Tennis | |
Track & field{{sup|1}} | |
Volleyball | |
colspan=2 style="{{CollegeSecondaryStyle|West Georgia Wolves |border=1|color=white }}" | {{small|{{sup|1}} – includes indoor and outdoor }} |
;Notes
{{reflist|group=n}}
=Athletic achievements=
- Basketball: holds one National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Championship in 1974.{{Cite web| title = NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Championship History| publisher = NAIA | url = http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/naia/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/MBBDIChampionshipHistory1223.pdf| format = PDF| url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110523103053/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/naia/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/MBBDIChampionshipHistory1223.pdf | archive-date = 2011-05-23}}
- Co-ed cheerleading: holds eight consecutive UCA Division II titles 2002-2009 and 15 total UCA division II titles for 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 wins.{{cite web|title=UWG Cheer History|url=http://www.uwgsports.com/news/2008/1/23/31308.aspx|access-date=14 September 2011}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.westga.edu/news/around-uwg/cheer-dynasty.php|title=Cheer Dynasty Holds Strong|last=Lindenberger|first=Brian|website=University of West Georgia|language=en|access-date=2019-11-21}}
- All-female cheerleading: has earned 6 UCA Division II National Championships in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012. And 3 UCA Division I National Championships in 2013, 2017 and 2019.
Cross country
Tim Brooks, former member of the 1999 Gulf South Conference Championship men's cross country team, was named head coach of the men's and women's teams in 2010.{{Cite web| title =West Georgia names Cross-Country head coach| publisher = UWG | url = http://uwgsports.com/news/2010/5/25/MXC_0525104359.aspx| access-date = 2010-05-27}} Coach Ryan Bailey took over the Head Coaching position in 2017.
Football
{{Main|West Georgia Wolves football}}
Softball
West Georgia's softball team appeared in one Women's College World Series in 1974.{{cite book|title=A Series Of Their Own: History Of The Women's College World Series |first1=William|last1=Plummer|first2=Larry C.|last2=Floyd|year=2013|publisher= Turnkey Communications Inc.|location= Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States|isbn=978-0-9893007-0-4}}
Men's basketball
{{main|West Georgia Wolves men's basketball}}
The University of West Georgia men's basketball program has been a contender in the Gulf South since joining in 1983. They have had 40 players named to the All Gulf South Teams, 17 players named to NCAA All-American Teams, Appeared in 27 Gulf South Conference Tournaments, and 18 NCAA Tournaments. The 1974 team, coached by Roger Kaiser, won the NAIA National Championship.
Facilities
=University Stadium=
In 2003, the University of West Georgia acquired {{convert|250|acre|km2}} from the city of Carrollton for the purpose of creating a stadium and athletic complex. Such a facility would serve a dual role: give the UWG sports teams a facility that they could use, and aid the university in attracting additional students. The funding for this venture was made possible through private donations and increased student fees approved by the Student Government Association.
During the summer of 2008, construction began on this facility and, in the fall of 2009, the University Stadium opened. The stadium seats roughly 9,600, providing ample space for any sporting or entertainment event.{{cite web|title=University Stadium Information|url=http://uwgsports.com/sports/2010/5/22/FB_0522103225.aspx?tab=universitystadium|access-date=14 September 2011}} Additionally, the new athletic complex includes a stadium and practice field for the Wolves’ soccer program, a new softball stadium and a women's field house with locker-room facilities for women's sports. There are plans to relocate Cole Field from its current location beside the Biology Building to the Athletic Complex.
On October 4, 2014, the University Stadium hosted its first Top-25 matchup in its 6-year history. The game was between the then #24 UWG Wolves and the #22 UWA Tigers. It was the first time that Coach Will Hall faced his former team. The final scored showed just how tough of a game it would be as UWG edged out UWA 26–17. It was UWG's first win in the series after 5 previous tries.
=The Coliseum=
The Coliseum is an on-campus indoor arena in Carrollton, Georgia. It is primarily used for basketball and volleyball, and is the home field of the University of West Georgia. The arena holds 6,475 spectators and opened in 2009. The total construction cost was $24.7 million.{{Cite web|url=http://den-oweb.petersons.com/ccc92/display_pdf?p_instance_id=183749.pdf |title=Peterson's University of West Georgia Report|access-date=2013-11-29|year=2009 |format=PDF |work=009 Peterson’s, a Nelnet company |publisher=Peterson's }}
The concourse level of the facility includes a two-story lobby that offers an area for event pre-function gatherings. The concourse level also features concession stands and restrooms.
The lower level of the facility houses the floor of the arena, spacious locker rooms for the men and women basketball teams, the volleyball team, visiting teams, and referees. Additionally, this level includes a trainer's facility. The Coliseum has a maple wood floor surrounded by seating and a four-sided, state-of-the-art video scoreboard suspended over center court.
The upper level includes three large skyboxes for UWG officials, boosters, and friends to gather during events.
The Coliseum hosts UWG commencement ceremonies, concerts, and other various events. The Georgia High School Association Class AAAAA and AAAA boys' and girls' basketball quarterfinal round of the playoffs are also held at this facility annually.
In July 2021, the Coliseum floor was redone in accordance with the change in the three-point line for NCAA Basketball contests. The new design and finishing was done by CBA Sports, a company led by NBA legend Dominique Wilkins.
References
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