The Texas A&M–Kingsville Javelinas ( ) are the athletic teams that represent Texas A&M University–Kingsville (TAMUK) in Kingsville, Texas, in intercollegiate sports at the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the Lone Star Conference (LSC) since the 1954–55 academic year.
Some of the women's athletic teams use the name Lady Javelinas; however, the school's other teams use the Javelina name. The javelina serves as the mascot representing the teams, and the school colors are blue and gold.
History
Texas A&M–Kingsville has a rich and storied sports history. From the establishment of the university as "South Texas State Teachers College" in 1925, the university embraced athletic competition. That year, the students of the school chose the "javelina" as a mascot – the only college or university in the world to do so.
Often incorrectly considered a wild pig, a javelina is actually a ferocious creature that shares more in common with a coyote than a pig. Once provoked, a javelina often viciously and tenaciously fights any perceived threat, as demonstrated when the school's first president, Dr. Robert Cousins, discovered in 1929. After suffering an attack by one of the three mascots on the campus, Dr. Cousins stated that the creature stands for a symbol of the character of the school's students.
The first varsity letters were awarded to 15 members of the Javelina football team in December 1925. By the time of the school's first name change (to "Texas College of Arts and Industries") in 1929, the school participated in a wide array of sports, including football, baseball, men and women's basketball, and men and women's track and field.
Today, the school competes in 11 NCAA varsity sports, and has gained recognition around the country for its ability to compete on a regional and national level. The school has a rich history of athletes who have moved on to national and international competition in the Olympic Games, as well as various professional sport leagues.
Sports
Texas A&M–Kingsville (TAMUK) competes in 13 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football and track & field; while women's sports include basketball, beach volleyball, cross country, golf, softball, tennis, track & field and volleyball.
The university also offers various club and intramural sports. Participation in these activities by individual students and clubs in the university is highly encouraged.
Football
Since the school was established 1925, football has been the most popular sport on campus.
In early 1929, the school joined the original Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association (TIAA). By the time the TIAA folded, the "Fighting Javelinas" had won two football championships. Following this, the school competed independently for several years. They moved from competing with junior colleges and teachers' colleges to competing against larger schools throughout the state. One highlight of this period included a football game that pitted the Javelinas against the Aggies of Texas A&M at Kyle Field in College Station. The Javelinas led the game until the Aggies tied it at 14 with three minutes left to play. The game ended in a tie. However, the Javelinas demonstrated that they could hold their own with a large football powerhouse. This further substantiated the team's nickname as "the toughest little team in the nation."
In 1934, the school participated in the Lone Star Conference on a probationary period. In 1935, the school joined the Alamo Conference. By 1937, the Javelinas captured their first Alamo Conference co-championship (with St. Mary's). The next year, the Javelinas won their first outright Alamo Conference football championship. This led to a string of football championships and the school's recognition as a football powerhouse.
For the 1954 season, A&I was finally inducted into the Lone Star Conference (LSC). By 1959, the Javelinas won the first in a long string of LSC championships. Since then, the school has remained a perennial conference powerhouse, winning 27 championships. During the years that the LSC was a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the Javelinas also picked up seven national championships. During the 1970s, the Javelinas won five NAIA national championships and went undefeated from the last game of 1973 through third game of 1977.