Athletics at Mercer

History

Mercer University is an NCAA Division I institution and competes in the Atlantic
Sun Conference, of which Mercer is a founding member. Mercer first fielded an athletic team in January 1892 when its football team played the University of Georgia in Athens. It was the first college football game played in the state and one of the first in the Southeast. Mercer, in the fall of that year, would defeat Georgia Tech in its first football game ever.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Mercer University Athletic Department is to develop well-rounded student-athletes academically, athletically and socially. The program is committed to integrity, sportsmanship and equal opportunity for all students and staff.

Mercer Athletic Teams

Academics

Mercer athletes are true “student-athletes” with emphasis placed equally on performance in the classrooms as well as on the playing fields or courts. Several times, Mercer student-athletes have claimed the annual conference All-Academic Trophy.

• For the spring 2009 semester, the cumulative grade-point-average for Mercer’s 209 student-athletes was 3.164, higher than for the general student body. Sixteen student-athletes posted a 4.0 grade-point-average (GPA) for spring 2009. Eleven of Mercer’s 14 teams had cumulative grade-point-averages of 3.0 or better.
• During fall semester 2008, women’s cross country had a cumulative 3.713 GPA and all nine team members were Atlantic Sun All-Academic (3.0 GPA during their playing season).
• For the 2008-2009 academic year, 136 Mercer student-athletes were named Atlantic Sun All-Academic.

• Atlantic Sun Conference

The Atlantic Sun Conference, with headquarters in Macon, is comprised of 11 schools whose common goal is “Building Winners for Life.” Member schools, in addition to Mercer, include: Belmont University and Lipscomb University, Nashville, Tenn.; Jacksonville University and the University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Fla.; Stetson University, Deland, Fla.; Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, Fla.; the University of South Carolina Upstate, Spartanburg, S.C.; East Tennessee State, Johnson City, Tenn.; Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Ga.; and Campbell University, Buies Creek, N.C.

Athletic Foundation

The Mercer Athletic Foundation was created in 2007 as the fundraising arm for Mercer University Athletics. Members of the Foundation have raised funds that have been used to hire a full-time strength and conditioning coach, to enhance recruiting budgets, to provide additional scholarships and to increase salaries to help attract and retain outstanding coaches.

Facilities

• The University Center at Mercer is the heart of Mercer athletics and student life. Known to Mercerians as the UC, it is one of the premier playing arenas and fitness facilities in the conference. The UC provides a welcoming and accommodating space for athletes, the press and fans and is one of the most sought after event venues in Central Georgia. It houses the Mercer Athletic Department
• Claude Smith Field, home of the baseball team
• Sikes Field, home of the softball team
• Bear Field, home of men’s and women’s soccer
• Leroy Peddy Tennis Center, home of men’s and women’s tennis

Hall of Fame

The Mercer Athletic Hall of Fame now consists of 140 members. These men and women made invaluable contributions to the University either participating as a student-athlete, coach or some other athletic-related capacity. Downlaod and view the members of this prestigious group. Go>

Heritage Hall

Several exquisite cases display the history of Mercer Athletics in the foyer of the UC's main entrance, just outside the arena. In addition to cases depicting historic moments in Mercer sports history, others are dedicated to recognizing each of the Athletic Hall of Fame members. View pictures of the displays in the UC. Go>