Mason–Dixon Conference

The Mason–Dixon Conference is a defunct NCAA Division II (former NCAA College Division) athletics conference, formed in 1936[1] and disbanded in October 1978. A track championship bearing the conference's name continued for several years after the demise of the all-sports league. Its members were predominantly from states bordering the eponymous Mason–Dixon line. A similarly named Mason-Dixon Athletic Conference began play in NCAA Division II men's basketball in 1983–84 with three of the previous members (Mount St. Mary's University, Randolph–Macon College, University of Maryland–Baltimore County) plus Longwood University, Liberty University and the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.

Mason–Dixon Conference
ClassificationNCAA Division II
Years of existence1936–1978
Members17 at height
Sports fieldedBaseball, basketball, football, golf,
soccer, track, tennis, wrestling
RegionSouth Atlantic States
States/districtsDelaware, Maryland, North Carolina,
Virginia, Washington, D.C.

Originally for track and field only, it was established in 1936 by Waldo Hamilton and Dorsey Griffith who both coached the sport at Johns Hopkins University and The Catholic University of America respectively. Its main purpose was to provide an annual championship meet for smaller colleges.[2] The circuit began with nine member schools. Besides the institutions for which the founders represented, the others were American University, Gallaudet University, Randolph–Macon College, University of Baltimore, University of Delaware, Washington College and Western Maryland College.

Within four years it began to include other sports. Men's basketball was added in 1940.[3] The Mason–Dixon Conference sought to "solidify small college athletics and to stimulate a competitive spirit."[1]

Member schools

Final members
Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined[4] Left Current
conference
University of Baltimore Baltimore, Maryland 1925 Public 2,825 Super Bees 1936–37 1977–78[5] N/A[lower-alpha 1]
Frostburg State College[lower-alpha 2] Frostburg, Maryland 1898 Public 6,133 Bobcats 1977–78 1977–78 Mountain East
(NCAA D-II)
George Mason University Fairfax, Virginia 1957 Public 35,047 Patriots 1972–73 1977–78 Atlantic 10 (A-10)
(NCAA D-I)
Mount St. Mary's University Emmitsburg, Maryland 1808 Catholic 1,889 Mountaineers 1940–41 1977–78 Metro Atlantic (MAAC)
(NCAA D-I)
Towson State Teachers College[lower-alpha 3] Towson, Maryland 1866 Public 22,923 Tigers 1939–40 1977–78 Colonial (CAA)
(NCAA D-II)
University of Maryland–Baltimore County Catonsville, Maryland 1966 Public 13,767 Retrievers 1972–73 1977–78 America East
(NCAA D-I)
Notes
  1. Baltimore discontinued its athletics program after the 1982–83 school year.
  2. Currently known as Frostburg State University since 1987.
  3. Currently known as Towson University since 1997.

Other members
Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined[4] Left Current
conference
American University Washington, D.C. 1893 United Methodist 6,028 Eagles 1936–37 1965–66 Patriot
(NCAA D-I)
Bridgewater College Bridgewater, Virginia 1880 Church of the Brethren 1,690 Bridgewater 1941–42 1975–76 Old Dominion (ODAC)
(NCAA D-III)
The Catholic University of America Washington, D.C. 1887 Pontifical 5,771 Cardinals 1936–37 1975–76[3] Landmark
(NCAA D-III)
University of Delaware Newark, Delaware 1743 Public 23,281 Fightin' Blue Hens 1936–37 1946–47 Colonial (CAA)
(NCAA D-I)
Emory and Henry College Emory, Virginia 1836 United Methodist 1,000 Wasps 1975–76 1975–76 South Atlantic (SAC)
(NCAA D-II)
Gallaudet University Washington, D.C. 1864 Quasigovernmental 1,740 Bison 1936–37 1973–74 United East
(NCAA D-III)
Hampden–Sydney College Hampden Sydney, Virginia 1775 Presbyterian 1,120 Tigers 1947–48 1975–76 Old Dominion (ODAC)
(NCAA D-III)
Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, Maryland 1876 Nonsectarian 20,174 Blue Jays 1936–37 1973–74 Centennial
(NCAA D-III)
Loyola College Maryland[lower-alpha 1] Baltimore, Maryland 1852 Catholic
(Jesuit)		 4,068 Greyhounds 1940–41 1976–77 Patriot
(NCAA D-I)
Lynchburg College[lower-alpha 2] Lynchburg, Virginia 1903 Disciples of Christ 2,500 Hornets 1948–49 1968–69 Old Dominion (ODAC)
(NCAA D-III)
Old Dominion University Norfolk, Virginia 1930 Public 24,176 Monarchs &
Lady Monarchs		 1962–63 1968–69 Sun Belt
Randolph–Macon College Ashland, Virginia 1830 United Methodist 1,146 Yellow Jackets 1936–37 1974–75 Old Dominion (ODAC)
(NCAA D-III)
Roanoke College Salem, Virginia 1842 Private 2,000 Maroons 1948-49 1975–76 Old Dominion (ODAC)
(NCAA D-III)
Salisbury State College[lower-alpha 3] Salisbury, Maryland 1925 Public 7,383 Sea Gulls 1974–75 1975–76 Coast to Coast (C2C)
(NCAA D-III)
St. John's College of Maryland Annapolis, Maryland 1784 Nonsectarian 775  ? 1936–37[1] — N/A
Shepherd University Shepherdstown, West Virginia 1871 Public 3,159 Rams 1964–65 1967–68 Pennsylvania (PSAC)
(NCAA D-II)
Washington and Lee University Lexington, Virginia 1749 Nonsectarian 2,200 Generals 1975–76 1975–76 Old Dominion (ODAC)
(NCAA D-III)
Washington College Chestertown, Maryland 1782 Nonsectarian 1,479 Shoremen &
Shorewomen		 1936–37 1971–72 Centennial
(NCAA D-III)
Western Maryland College[lower-alpha 4] Westminster, Maryland 1867 Nonsectarian 1,559 Green Terror 1936–37 1973–74 Centennial
(NCAA D-III)
Notes
  1. Currently known as Loyola University Maryland since 2009.
  2. Currently known as the University of Lynchburg since 2018.
  3. Currently known as Salisbury University since 2001.
  4. Currently known as McDaniel College since 2002.

Membership timeline
Frostburg State UniversityWashington and Lee UniversityEmory and Henry CollegeSalisbury UniversityUniversity of Maryland, Baltimore CountyGeorge Mason UniversityShepherd UniversityOld Dominion UniversityRoanoke CollegeUniversity of LynchburgHampden–Sydney CollegeBridgewater CollegeMount St. Mary's UniversityLoyola University MarylandTowson UniversitySt. John's College (Annapolis/Santa Fe)McDaniel CollegeWashington CollegeRandolph–Macon CollegeJohns Hopkins UniversityGallaudet UniversityUniversity of DelawareCatholic University of AmericaUniversity of BaltimoreAmerican University

Champions by sport

Men's basketball

Football

See also

References
  1. "American University Athletics Timeline". American University. 2009. Archived from the original on 18 November 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
  2. Student Athlete Handbook – Methodist University Athletics. Archived 2012-01-14 at the Wayback Machine Section 1, Part E: Mason Dixon Track & Field Conference.
  3. McManes, Chris. "Flight of the Cardinals: A 100-year history of CUA men's basketball," The Catholic University of America Athletics, Monday, November 1, 2010.
  4. Morse, Jon F. (2009). "OLD DOMINION (pre-1946-) MASON-DIXON (pre-1946-1974)". NCAA Division III Conference Alignments. jonfmorse.com. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
  5. McMullen, Paul. "With 8 in state taking plunge, UB was first to drown in Division I pool," The Baltimore Evening Sun, Tuesday, November 6, 1990.
  6. "Mason-Dixon Leader". The Evening Sun. Baltimore, Maryland. December 1, 1847. p. 24. Retrieved April 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com open access.
  7. "Mason-Dixon Crown To Hampden-Sydney". The Morning Herald. Hagerstown, Maryland. Associated Press. November 16, 1953. p. 11. Retrieved October 23, 2021 – via Newspapers.com open access.
  8. "Hopkins Defeats Terror Gridders". The Evening Sun. Hanover, Pennsylvania. November 23, 1959. p. 14. Retrieved October 23, 2021 – via Newspapers.com open access.
  9. "Terrors Beaten, 10-0, By Hopkins Blue Jays (continued)". The Evening Sun. Hanover, Pennsylvania. November 23, 1959. p. 15. Retrieved October 23, 2021 – via Newspapers.com open access.
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