American Midwest Conference Announces Addition of Central Baptist (Ark.)
Courtesy of AMC Sports Information
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The American Midwest Conference (AMC) and its commissioner, Will Wolper, are pleased to announce the addition of Central Baptist (Ark.) (Conway, Arkansas) as the AMC's newest member, beginning in the 2015-16 academic year.
"On behalf of the American Midwest Conference, I am pleased to welcome CBC to the Conference for 2015-16," Wolper said. "The addition of Central Baptist strengthens our southern footprint and our current sport sponsorship, puts us in position to explore championship sport growth, and brings another institution that has a strong commitment to the NAIA's Champions of Character initiatives, as well as academic and athletic excellence."
Central Baptist offers baseball, basketball, golf, soccer and wrestling as men's sports, enabling the AMC to explore a 2015-16 wrestling championship, and its women's sports include basketball, golf, volleyball, softball and soccer. The Mustangs are also a short travel option for the AMC's current southern members – Williams Baptist (Ark.) and Lyon (Ark.) in Arkansas and Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) in Tennessee.
"After visiting campus, meeting student-athletes, coaches and administrators, it is clearly evident that Central Baptist is a great fit in the American Midwest Conference," Wolper added.
Wolper and other AMC representatives visited Central Baptist's campus in Conway, Arkansas, in February, prior to voting the Mustangs in to the league for next year.
"We are delighted to welcome Central Baptist College in to the American Midwest Conference," said Dr. Dianne Lynch, Stephens College President and Chair of the AMC's Council of Presidents. "Central Baptist brings a strong commitment to quality competition and to the values that underpin the Champions of Character program of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics."
Central Baptist was a Bronze Level honoree among NAIA Five-Star Champions of Character Institutions, earning 63 of the available 100 points on the Champions of Character scorecard in 2013-14. In the AMC, nine of the 13 current member institutions also earned the Bronze level, making Central Baptist a natural fit in the conference.
Central Baptist maintains a staff of 12 professionals, led by Lyle Middleton, Director of Athletics and coach of the Mustangs' women's basketball and golf teams, and academically, Central Baptist has an average ACT score of 20.5, with 47 majors and 24 minors among 858 students, 60-percent of which are student-athletes.
"We are excited about joining the American Midwest Conference – a stable and committed conference that excels in academics and athletics," Middleton said. "This move establishes Central Baptist in an elite conference as we look to expand and thrive in the future."
According to www.cbcmustangs.com, where more information can be found on Central Baptist Athletics, Central Baptist's athletics mission statement says that "the Central Baptist College Athletic Department is dedicated to the development of spiritual, academic and athletic excellence for all student-athletes."
Further, Central Baptist Athletics values Christ-centered focus in competition and service opportunities, character development through the NAIA's Champions of Character program, and excellence in the classroom and in competition.
"It is an exciting time in the history of Central Baptist College Mustang athletics," said Central Baptist President, Dr. Terry Kimbrow. "Joining the American Midwest Conference brings a new level of competition that will benefit our student-athletes and strengthen our overall athletic program."
The Mustangs will begin AMC competition with fall sports in 2015, starting with men's and women's soccer, and volleyball. Central Baptist also offers wrestling, making the AMC a complete conference in wrestling, along with men's and women's basketball in the winter season. In the spring season, Central Baptist will compete in men's and women's golf, as well as baseball and softball.
