BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference revealed its 2021 SWAC Women’s Soccer Predicted Order of Finish on Thursday with Alabama State tabbed to repeat as conference champions. The preseason poll was voted on by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors.

The Lady Hornets tallied a league leading eight first place votes. Alabama State has claimed three of the past five SWAC tournament titles while also being crowned regular season champions twice during that same period. 

Spring 2021 SWAC Women’s Soccer Tournament runner-up Grambling State was selected second followed by Alabama A&M (3^rd), Jackson State (4^th), and Prairie View A&M (5^th) to round out the top five preseason selections.

Southern was tabbed to finish in sixth place with Texas Southern (7^th), Alcorn State (8^th), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (9^th) and Mississippi Valley State (10^th) picked to finish 6-10 respectively. 

The 2021 SWAC Women’s Soccer regular season is set to begin this week with several league teams in action. The 2021 SWAC Women’s Soccer Tournament will be held Nov. 4-7 on the campus of Prairie View A&M University. 

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Alabama State- 148 (8)
2. Grambling State- 138 (2)
3. Alabama A&M- 118 (3)
4. Jackson State- 114 (2) 
5. Prairie View A&M- 106
6. Southern 89 (1) 
7. Texas Southern- 76
8. Alcorn State- 55 (1)
9. Arkansas-Pine Bluff- 50
10. Mississippi Valley State- 45

*First place votes listed in parenthesis

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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.  – St. Thomas University (STU) Athletics is saddened to announce the passing of the University’s founding Athletic Director, first Head Basketball Coach, and inaugural Hall of Fame inductee, Ken Stibler. He was 89 years old.  

Originally from Bayonne, New Jersey, Stibler and his wife Dorothy arrived at Biscayne College in 1964, embracing the opportunity to establish athletic programs and build the up-and-coming college. Stibler traveled all over Florida to inform the public about Biscayne College, appearing on radio shows, high school award banquets, and coaching clinics, steadily growing the college’s brand. As basketball coach, Stibler led the Biscayne College/St. Thomas University Men’s Basketball program to 216 wins during his tenure (1966-1983), including victories over the University of Houston, University of Dayton, Old Dominion University, Southern Mississippi University, and Yale. The Bobcats appeared in the NCAA National Tournament three times under Stibler, defeating defending National Champion Florida Southern in 1982. In his final two years as Head Coach at St. Thomas University, Stibler earned consecutive Sunshine State Conference Coach of the Year awards. 

As the college’s first Athletic Director, Stibler expanded the athletic programs at Biscayne College/St. Thomas University, turning the Bobcats into contenders in multiple sports. In addition to his roles as the Athletic Director and Head Basketball Coach, Ken served as the Intramural Director, Sports Information Director, Job Placement Director, Alumni Director, and Director of the Student Teaching Program. Stibler also taught History, English, and the first Sports Administration class in the college’s history. Stibler completed his legendary Biscayne College/St. Thomas University career with four “Teacher of the Year” awards. 

In recognition of his outstanding achievements during his professional career, Coach Stibler was honored by the creation of the “Coach Ken Stibler Athletics Scholarship Fund.” The scholarship supports current and future student-athletes with financial need pursuing their undergraduate degrees from St. Thomas University.  

On May 4, 2019, Stibler’s legacy was commemorated by naming the street leading to the Fernandez Family Center “Coach Ken Stibler Way.” Stibler served as a trailblazer for Biscayne College/St. Thomas University, helping build the university and athletic programs to the national powers they are today. Coach Stibler was instrumental in providing an environment that develops “Leaders for Life.” 

St. Thomas University will update information regarding services for Coach Stibler as they become available.  

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