Pikeville Bears Explained

Pikeville Bears
University:University of Pikeville
Association:NAIA
Conference:AAC (primary)
Director:Corey Fipps
Location:Pikeville, Kentucky
Teams:25
Mens Teams:11
Womens Teams:10
Coed Teams:4
Stadium:Hambley Athletic Complex
Basketballarena:Appalachian Wireless Arena
Baseballfield:Johnnie Lemaster Field
Softballstadium:Paul Butcher Field
Soccerfield:Bob Amos Complex
Nickname:Bears
Pageurl:https://upikebears.com/index.aspx

The Pikeville Bears, also the UPike Bears (stylized as "UPIKE"), are the athletic teams that represent the University of Pikeville, located in Pikeville, Kentucky, in intercollegiate sports as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) since the 2023–24 academic year. The Bears previously competed in the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC; now currently known as the River States Conference (RSC) since the 2016–17 school year) from 1958–59 to 1999–2000. More recently, the Bears competed in the Mid-South Conference from 2000–2001 to 2022–2023.

Conference affiliations

NAIA

Varsity teams

UPike competes in 25 intercollegiate varsity sports: men's sports include baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, football, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, track & field and wrestling; while women's sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field and volleyball; and co-ed sports include archery, cheerleading, dance and eSports.[1]

Accomplishments

Pikeville athletics have won numerous conference championships and three national championships: two in women's bowling in 2004 and 2008 and a NAIA Division I men's basketball championship in 2011.[2] [3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: University of Pikeville. About Pikeville Athletics. February 10, 2012.
  2. Web site: University of Pikeville. Athletic Highlights. February 10, 2012.
  3. News: Staff. CBS Sports. Unseeded Pikeville wins NAIA championship game in overtime. March 23, 2011. February 10, 2012.