By PATRICK MEEHAN, Centenary Assistant AD for Communications
The 2027 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament will be hosted by Centenary and held at Brookshire Grocery Arena in Bossier City from Feb. 26-28.
It’s a change from recent conference tournaments, which were hosted at predetermined campus sites.
Second-year men’s coach J.A. Anglin will lead the Gents into a 25-game regular-season slate and a pair of exhibition contests.
The Gents will begin their regular season on Friday, Nov. 6 against Belhaven in a non-conference contest in Jackson, Miss.
Centenary will prep for the regular season with an exhibition against ULM on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at Fant-Ewing Coliseum in Monroe. The Gents’ other exhibition game will be against the Lamar Cardinals on Wednesday, Nov. 11 in Beaumont, Texas. Centenary then faces Millsaps College on the road on Friday, Nov. 13 in Jackson, Miss.
The Gents’ first home game is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 17 against East Texas Baptist and their first SCAC contest is set for Friday, Dec. 11 against LeTourneau in the Gold Dome. The Gents are 53-27 at the Gold Dome over the last seven seasons with a pair of double-digit win seasons.
The Gents are scheduled to play 13 home games, 12 road games, and 18 conference contests – nine on the road and nine at home. Centenary’s first league game on the road is set for Friday, Dec. 18 against the University of St. Thomas in Houston.
The Centenary women’s program will play 24 regular-season games under the leadership of second-year head coach Rennie Bailey.
The Ladies will begin their regular season on Monday, Nov. 9 against Jarvis Christian College at home in a non-conference contest inside the Gold Dome.
VOLLEYBALL: Claire Hiler has been named head coach of the Ladies’ program, Director of Athletics and Recreation David Orr announced.
Hiler, a native of Wills Point, Texas, graduated from Texas A&M with a bachelor’s in psychology with a minor in sports management. Hiler comes to Centenary from Coastal Bend College in Beeville, Texas where she served as head coach for two seasons. Prior to her season at Coastal Bend, she was an assistant coach at Dallas College-Richland.
Hiler has been the head coach for a club team, RIVAL Volleyball, since 2023 and previously coached RISE Rockwall Volleyball Club (2020), Brazos Valley Juniors (2020-21), and Incredible Crush Volleyball (2021-23).
MEN’S SOCCER: The men’s soccer program will play 16 regular-season matches and two exhibition contests under the leadership of first-year head coach Joe O’Sullivan.
The Gents’ season opener is set for Sept. 3 against Schreiner at Atkins Field. Centenary will prep for the opener with an exhibition contest at home against LSU-Alexandria on Aug. 17 at Atkins Field and a second exhibition on Aug. 26 against East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas.
WOMEN’S SOCCER: The women’s soccer program is set to play 15 regular-season matches and a pair of exhibition contests under the leadership of first-year head coach Merlinn Campagna. The Ladies will open their season on Sept. 1 against Belhaven University at Atkins Field and then face Louisiana Christian University on Sept. 5 at home.
The 2026 SCAC Men’s and Women’s Tournaments will be held Nov. 5-8 in Round Rock, Texas.
SCAC EXPANDING AGAIN: The Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Presidents Council has unanimously approved the return of Southwestern University as a full member of the conference, with the institution set to begin competition during the 2027-28 academic year.
Southwestern was among the conference’s longstanding members before departing in 2025. Its return reunites the institution with longtime conference rivals while reinforcing the SCAC’s commitment to regional competition, academic excellence, and an exceptional NCAA Division III student-athlete experience.
Southwestern first joined the conference in 1994 and competed as a member until 2025, capturing 31 conference championships while establishing itself as one of the league’s most successful and academically distinguished members.
Founded in 1840 and located in Georgetown, Texas, Southwestern is the oldest university in Texas and is nationally recognized for its commitment to liberal arts education.
Contact Patrick at pmeehan@centenary.edu