St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) since the 2009–10 academic year. They have become NCAA Division III full members since the 2012–13 school year. The Golden Eagles previously competed as an NCAA D-III Independent from 2007–08 to 2008–09; and in the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC; now known as the River States Conference (RSC) since the 2016–17 school year) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 1992–93 to 2006–07. Spalding competes in 16 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer and track & field; while women's sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, track & field and volleyball. About 30 percent of Spalding's undergraduate students participate in varsity sports. Spalding's athletic director is Roger Burkman, who was a member of the University of Louisville's 1980 NCAA Division I basketball championship team. Mascot & Nickname In 2006, Spalding changed the name of its athletic nickname from Pelicans to Golden Eagles via a selection committee that included student input. The Golden Eagle was picked because it embodies strength, courage and strong vision. The image of the Pelican, which embodies peace, justice, service and spiritual values, remains on the university's official seal. In 2018, Spalding unveiled its first official Golden Eagle mascot, a blue-and-gold bird named Ollie, as selected by a campus-wide vote. Notable alumni See also Bellarmine University Religion in Louisville, Kentucky References External links Official athletics website Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Louisville Universities and colleges in Louisville, Kentucky Educational institutions established in 1814 Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Catholic universities and colleges in Kentucky 1814 establishments in Kentucky