The Nebraska–Kearney Lopers are the athletic teams that represent the University of Nebraska at Kearney, located in Kearney, Nebraska, in intercollegiate sports as a member of the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) for most of its sports since the 2012–13 academic year;[3][4] while its women's swimming and diving team competes in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).[5] The Lopers previously competed in the D-II Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) from 1994–95 to 2011–12 (which they were a member on a previous stint as a provisional member during the 1989–90 school year); and in the Central States Intercollegiate Conference (CSIC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 1976–77 to 1988–89.

Nebraska–Kearney Lopers
Logo
UniversityUniversity of Nebraska at Kearney
ConferenceThe MIAA
NCAADivision II
Athletic directorMarc Bauer
LocationKearney, Nebraska
Varsity teams17
Football stadiumRon & Carol Cope Stadium
Basketball arenaHealth and Sports Center
Baseball stadiumKearney Memorial Field
MascotLouie
NicknameLoper
Fight song"We Fight for UNK!"
ColorsBlue and gold[1]
   
Websitewww.lopers.com
Team NCAA championships
4[2]
MIAA logo Nebraska–Kearney's colors

Conference affiliations

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Varsity teams

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UNK competes in 17 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include basketball, cross country, football, tennis, track & field (indoor and outdoor) and wrestling; basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball.

Men's sports Women's sports
Basketball Basketball
Cross country Cross country
Football Golf
Tennis (2023–24) Soccer
Track and field Softball
Wrestling Swimming and diving
Tennis
Track and field
Volleyball
† – Track and field includes both indoor and outdoor

Softball

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The Lopers softball team appeared in the first three Women's College World Series in 1969, 1970 and 1971.[6]

Women's swim and dive

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The Women's swim and dive team is an affiliate member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC).

National championships

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Team

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Sport Association Division Year Opponent/Runner-up Score/Points
Softball (2) NAIA Single 1987 Francis Marion 1–0
1990 Pacific Lutheran 6–3 (8 innings)

Mascot

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The mascot at University of Nebraska at Kearney is Louie, who has been at the college since the beginning. He is always at every UNK Athletic event cheering on the Lopers with the cheerleaders.[7]

Facilities

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Notable alumni

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References

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  1. ^ Communications & Marketing Color Specifications. UNK. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  2. ^ "CHAMPIONSHIPS SUMMARY" (PDF). NCAA.org. NCAA. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  3. ^ Corbitt, Ken (August 23, 2012). "Newcomers add strength to rugged MIAA". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved 2012-09-07.
  4. ^ Toppmeyer, Blake. "MIAA adds 2, more on horizon – Maryville, MO". Maryville Daily Forum. Archived from the original on 2011-07-14. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
  5. ^ Staff (2012-04-12). "Swimming and Diving: NSIC". The American News. Retrieved 2012-09-02.
  6. ^ Plummer, William; Floyd, Larry C. (2013). A Series Of Their Own: History Of The Women's College World Series. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States: Turnkey Communications Inc. ISBN 978-0-9893007-0-4.
  7. ^ "Nebraska Kearney Lopers – Louie Loper". lopers.com.
  8. ^ "Nebraska Kearney Lopers – Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field". lopers.com.
  9. ^ "Nebraska Kearney Lopers – Cushing Pool". lopers.com.
  10. ^ "Nebraska Kearney Lopers – Dryden Park". lopers.com.
  11. ^ "Nebraska Kearney Lopers – Harmon Park". lopers.com.
  12. ^ "Nebraska Kearney Lopers – Health & Sports Center". lopers.com.
  13. ^ "Nebraska Kearney Lopers – Memorial Field". lopers.com.
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