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The Xavier Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets are the athletic teams that represent Xavier University of Louisiana, located in New Orleans, Louisiana, in intercollegiate sports as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) since the 2021–22 academic year. The Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets previously competed in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) from 1981–82 to 2020–21.

Varsity teams

Xavier (La.) competes in 12 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, tennis and track & field; women's sports include basketball, cross country, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball; and co-ed sports include competitive cheer. Former sports included football.

Men's Basketball

Co-champions of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference at the time basketball was discontinued in 1959, Xavier had consistently turned out strong teams since the sport was organized on the campus, and the local university, in the early 1930s, producing a number of players for top professional teams, such as Nat Clifton, better known as "Sweetwater" Clifton of the Harlem Globetrotters. A dwindling enrollment during the mid and late 1950s, the high cost of operating an intercollegiate athletic program at a small school, and a number of overall university needs, including facilities, were factors that figured in discontinuing Xavier's athletic program eight years. The Men's Basketball program returned to competitive play with the 1967-68 school year. As early as 1928, the team was referred to as the "Golden Rush" and/or "Gold Rush," and also referred to as the "Cagers."

Accomplishments

• NAIA Division I National Championship Appearances (17): 2015–16, 2014–15, 2013–14, 2012–13, 2011–12, 2010–11, 2007–08, 2006–07, 2004–05, 2003–04, 2000–01, 1996–97, 1990–91, 1981–82, 1980–81, 1972–73, 1971–72
• Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Regular-Season Champions (10): 2013–14, 2012–13, 2011–12, 2006–07, 2003–04, 2000–01, 1986–87, 1985–86, 1982–83, 1981–82
• Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament Champions (1): 1995-96
• Gulf Coast Athletic Conference/NAIA District 30 Tournament Champions (2): 1990–91, 1981–82
• NAIA District 30 Tournament Champions (3): 1980–81, 1972–73, 1971–72
• Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament Champions (3): 1940–41, 1938–39, 1937–38

Women's Basketball

Accomplishments

• NAIA Division I National Championship Appearances (19): 2015–16, 2013–14, 2012–13, 2011–12, 2010–11, 2009–10, 2007–08, 2006–07, 2004–05, 2003–04, 2002–03, 2001–02, 2000–01, 1998–99, 1997–98, 1996–97, 1995–96, 1994–95, 1993–94
• Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Regular-Season Champions (13): 2012–13, 2011–12, 2009–10, 2004–05, 2003–04, 2002–03, 2000–01, 1996–97, 1995–96, 1994–95, 1993–94, 1986–87, 1981–82
• Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament Champions (13): 2015–16, 2013–14, 2011–12, 2010–11, 2009–10, 2007–08, 2004–05, 2000–01, 1996–97, 1995–96, 1994–95, 1993-94
• Gulf Coast Athletic Conference/NAIA District 30 Tournament Champions (2): 1989–90, 1981–82
• NAIA District 30 Tournament Champions (1): 1980-81

Baseball

The Xavier baseball program was revived in 2019, with its first game in over 60 years played on February 23, 2021. Major League Baseball assisted in the revival of the program, lending its Wesley Barrow Stadium as home field for the program.

Accomplishments

• New Orleans City Championship (1): 1925

Men's Cross Country

Accomplishments

• NAIA National Championship Appearances (13): Team in 2014, 2012, 2011, 2009, 2008, 2002; individuals in 2013, 2003, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1994
• NAIA Region XIII Champions (1): 2002
• Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Champions (9): 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006

Women's Cross Country

Accomplishments

• NAIA National Championship Appearances (9): Team in 2014, 2012, 2011, 2009, 2008, 2002; individuals in 2013, 2003, 2001
• NAIA Region XIII Champions (1): 2002
• Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Champions (10): 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2002

Softball

The Xavier softball program played its first game in February 2021. Major League Baseball assisted in the revival of the program, lending its Wesley Barrow Stadium as home field for the program.

Men's Tennis

Accomplishments

• NAIA National Championship Appearances (8): 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009
• Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Champions (5): 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005
• NAIA Unaffiliated Group Champions (3): 2013, 2012, 2011

Women's Tennis

Accomplishments

• NAIA National Championship Appearances (9): 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2005, 2004
• Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Champions (7): 2010, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002
• NAIA Unaffiliated Group Champions (3): 2014, 2013, 2012

Men's Track & Field

Accomplishments

• Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Outdoor Champions (14): 1958, 1957, 1955, 1953, 1952, 1951, 1949, 1948, 1943, 1942, 1941, 1940, 1939, 1938
• Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Outdoor Champions (1): 2004

Women's Track & Field

Accomplishments

• Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Outdoor Champions (5): 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2004

Volleyball

Accomplishments

• NAIA National Championship Appearances (5): 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011
• Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Regular-Season Champions (5): 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011
• Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament Champions (5): 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011

Cheerleading

Accomplishments

• NAIA National Champions: 2021-22
• NCA National Champion: 2023-34
• Black College National Championships Appearances, Collegiate All Girls (2): first place in 2004, second place in 2003

Gold Star Dancers

Accomplishments

• Black College National Championships Appearances (2): fourth place in 2004, third place in 2003

Former varsity sports

Football

Xavier University formerly sponsored a varsity football team starting in 1925, and had been referred to as both "The Golden Wave," and "The Yellow Jackets." The team was coached by Alfred C. "Zack" Priestley, who was also served as the head coach for the Baseball squad. In 1955, Xavier played the Keesler Air Force Base team in Louisiana's first integrated college football game. The team's last season was 1959 and the program was disbanded in 1960 along with all sports at the university. The team played at the XU Football Field located in Xavier Stadium.

Athletics facilities

Current facilities

Xavier University Academic Convocation Center

The Xavier University Academic Convocation Center opened in November 2012. The 97,000 square-foot multipurpose facility replaced The Barn (Xavier's 1,300-seat gymnasium which opened in 1937) and became the new home of XU men's basketball, women's basketball and women's volleyball. The 3,937-seat facility includes a hospitality suite, a student-athlete fitness center, a media/video room, a theatre-style meeting space, and a state-of-the-art athletic training facility. The arena contains state-of-the-art sound, lighting and high-definition Daktronics video boards for spectator comfort. The Convocation Center also plays host to many classes, graduations, sporting and community events.

Convocation Center Annex

As part of the growth of the Xavier main campus as well as the athletics department, the Convocation Center Annex project was completed in 2012. The facility, located adjacent to the Convocation Center, is an academic building featuring several classrooms, reception and lecture spaces, meeting spaces, and administrative offices of the Athletics Department, Recreation Sports and Physical Education.

City Park Cross Country Course

Xavier's cross country teams compete on the City Park Cross Country Course in City Park, a public facility. The mostly flat course is approximately three miles from the XU campus and is near the corner of Wisner Boulevard and Harrison Avenue. Xavier competed twice at City Park in 2014, including the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championships. City Park covers 1,300 acres and was established in 1853. It is approximately 50 percent larger than Central Park in New York City. City Park holds the world's largest collection of mature live oak trees, some older than 600 years in age.

Tad Gormley Stadium

Xavier's track and field teams compete at Tad Gormley Stadium (located at City Park, 2.6 miles from XU's campus) and practices regularly at the City Park Practice Track adjacent to the stadium. Tad Gormley Stadium offers great versatility for staging events in New Orleans - from outdoor athletic competitions to concerts and corporate special events. Gormley was the site of the 1992 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials, the 1993 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships and the 1998 U.S. Track and Field Championships.

Gormley's address is 5400 Stadium Drive, New Orleans, LA 70124.

Stadium Features: • 26,500 permanent seats • 400-meter polyurethane track • Artificial turf playing field • Three locker rooms • Press box with seating for 110 • Press suite with seating for 40 • Electronic scoreboard and state-of-the-art sound system

Wesley Barrow Stadium

Wesley Barrow Stadium is a 650-seat baseball and softball stadium located in the Pontchartrain Park section of New Orleans, Louisiana. Named in memory of Negro league baseball manager Wesley Barrow, a longtime prominent figure in the New Orleans baseball community, the stadium includes a 200-square-foot climate-controlled press box, a public address system and LED scoreboard. The baseball field features professional-sized artificial turf with a clay pitcher's mound and two fenced bullpens.

XULA Tennis Center

The XULA Tennis Center opened on October 26, 2012, as the home of XU men's and women's tennis.

Facility Facts:

• GPS Driving Location: 3619 Pine St., New Orleans LA 70125
• Facility cost: $2.5 million
• Architect: Manning Architects
• Contractor: Gibbs Construction
• First women's dual match: Xavier 9, Loyola 0 on January 25, 2013
• First men's dual match: Xavier 7, Loyola 2 on February 6, 2013
• First collegiate dual match not involving Xavier: Idaho 4, Youngstown State 3 (women) on March 10, 2013

Former facilities

The Barn

The Barn was the former home arena for the men's and women's basketball teams and volleyball team located on the Xavier campus. It opened in 1937 and was demolished in 2013.

Xavier Stadium

Xavier Stadium is a former stadium that included the XU football field and also a track. It was the former home of the Xavier football team and track and field team. The stadium was located at the corner of Washington Street and Pine Street in New Orleans.

Non-varsity athletic facilities

Fitness Center

On June 24, 2015, the university opened its Fitness Center. The $3.6 million facility is built between the Living Learning Center and St. Martin de Porres Hall, Xavier's two largest student residences on the site of the former B. Samuels building, which was bought and demolished. The first floor of the two-story facility offers an NCAA/NAIA regulation-sized basketball court, an office, a lounge area and an area with free weights and weight machines. The second floor consists of a three-lane walking/running track, a cardio room, spin studio and other multifunctional studios. Exercise machines will be available throughout the facility. The basketball court will be mostly used for intramural events such as basketball and volleyball, large exercise classes, fitness activities, yoga, dance and Zumba classes. The court can be divided with a retractable curtain to offer multiple activities simultaneously. This is the fourth XU athletics facility to open in three years.

See also

• National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics

References

1. "XULA Athletics Logo". Retrieved May 9, 2024.
2. "Xavier University of Louisiana Athletics". xulagold.com. Retrieved 2018-02-06.
3. ^ Summers, Sedonia (1967-02-01). "Intercollegiate Sports Back". The Xavier Herald. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
4. ""Rush" and "Tide" Clash in Basketball". La Cigale. 1928-02-01. p. 3. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
5. "Hoopsters Play Southern in Road Game Jan. 22". The Xavier Herald. 1955-01-01. p. 7. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
6. Walker, Rod (2021-02-23). "Making a comeback: Xavier University baseball returns Tuesday, school's first team since 1960". New Orleans Advocate. Retrieved 2021-02-23.
7. "MLB helping XULA launch baseball, softball". MLB.com. Retrieved 2021-02-23.
8. "Xavier-Straight Championship Game, Xavier Wins City Championship by Score of 4-2". La Cigale. 1925-06-01. p. 5. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
9. "XULA will revive baseball, launch softball". Xavier University of Louisiana Athletics. Retrieved 2021-02-23.
10. "MLB helping XULA launch baseball, softball". MLB.com. Retrieved 2021-02-23.
11. ^ "The last captain: Xavier meant the world to Otis Washington, and then suddenly it was gone". theadvocate.com. Retrieved 2018-02-06.
12. "Athletic Council Meets". La Cigale. 1926-02-01. p. 3. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
13. "Yellow Jackets Beat Bay St. Louis". The Xavier Herald. 1931-11-01. p. 3. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
14. "Alfred Priestley Is Selected Coach of Year for Small Catholic Colleges". The Xavier Herald. 1955-01-01. p. 7. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
15. ^ Kemper, Kurt Edward (2009). College Football and American Culture in the Cold War Era. University of Illinois Press. p. 84. ISBN 978-0252034664. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
16. ^ "The Last Snap: Xavier Bids Farewell To Football" (PDF). xula.edu. Retrieved 2018-03-04.
17. ^ New Orleans City Guide 1938. Garrett County Press. 1938. p. 38. ISBN 189105340X. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
18. ^ "Convocation Center". xulagold.com. Retrieved 2018-03-03.
19. "Academic Convocation Center at Xavier University Opens for Basketball Season". populous.com. Retrieved 2018-03-03.
20. "Tad Gormley Stadium". New Orleans City Park. Retrieved 2018-03-03.
21. Ryan Whirty (February 22, 2013). "Wesley "Skipper" Barrow legacy lives on". nola.com. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
22. "New Orleans UYA opens renovated stadium - MLB.com". Major League Baseball. Retrieved 17 September 2014.

External links

• Official website

• Xavier Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets