Crusading through the Gulf South Conference
Ansley Brock, Staff Writer
Crusaders join GSC in 2018 season
2018- Exciting things are happening for the North Greenville Crusaders this year. The past 14 seasons NGU has been one of five independents in the NCAA. Being part of the South Atlantic through what is called a “conference alliance” which began in 2011 but ended in 2014. The 2018-2019 season is a year of “firsts” for the Crusader’s football team in more than one way. It is the first year as being part of the Gulf South Conference. It is also the first year the team will be debuted on ESPN3. Meaning bigger competition, more miles to be traveled, more discipline during practice, but a much more excited team.
Gulf South Conference (GSC) is THE conference for DII football. Meaning the 12 active members and four affiliate members are bigger, badder and better. Not all the teams are new to the Crusaders, however since the Crusaders have faced GSC affiliate members four times within the past 10-years. This includes two regular season matchups against North Alabama, a postseason matchup with Delta State, and even an NCAA Victory Bowl against Shorter College.
One and three was the outcome from the matchups. The lone victory coming from the Hawks (Shorter College).
The Crusaders are 2-1 in conference play so far this season facing Delta State (W 33-20), University of West Alabama (W 20-16) and University of West Georgia (L 31-7). NGU has let the Gulf South Conference know they mean business with one loss and two wins so far in the conference there is a lot of football left to play.
Casey Stewart, a graduate assistant for the crusaders, spoke on how NGU has prepared for the Gulf South Conference. Stewart said they have had to ramp up the intensity during practice because of the competition’s intensity that is in GSC. “We are looking for higher intensity in practice and games and we can see that they [the players] are trying to match that as well.
Stewart graduated from NGU in 2017 and was an offensive lineman for NGU. He even won the male Iron Athlete of the year in 2017 meaning he knows just what this change means to the players. “They have a little bit more fun now just being in the conference and get to play harder for the Gulf South Conference.”
He even spoke about the effects being in a new conference will have on the recruiting process. This is what he had to say: “It helps the fact that we are in a conference, coming from being independent. Kids see us be in the conference to be in for DII.”
Lastly, he wanted to address the fans. “We appreciate y’all coming to the games. Keep coming to the home games and keeping the intensity high out there and go crusader crazies.” The crusader crazies were awarded the game ball after the dramatic 20-16 upset in Tigerville against the University of West Alabama.
Visit the NGU athletic’s page to see the Crusader’s schedule and to read the latest news on the season.
