Western State Mountaineers Basketball Tickets

When it comes to college basketball, the Western State Mountaineers may not be a household name like Duke or Kentucky, but they have a rich history and remain a competitive force in Division II.

Located in Gunnison, Colorado, Western State University was founded in 1901 and its men's basketball team began competing in 1912. The Mountaineers have had periods of dominance over the years, including winning four Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference championships in the 1940s and back-to-back conference titles in the early 2000s.

But perhaps the most memorable moment in Western State basketball came in 1967 when the Mountaineers defeated No. 1-ranked Southern Illinois in a historic upset. Led by All-American guard Earl Boykins, who stands just 5'5" tall, Western State shocked the college basketball world with the 69-68 victory.

While the program hasn't reached those heights in recent years, the Mountaineers remain a competitive team in their conference and regularly contend for the postseason. In the 2019-20 season, Western State finished with a 17-13 record and advanced to the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament semifinals before falling to eventual champions Colorado School of Mines.

Off the court, the Western State basketball program prides itself on developing well-rounded student-athletes. Many players go on to successful careers in fields such as education, business, and law enforcement.

Overall, while not one of the most well-known programs in college basketball, the Western State Mountaineers have a storied history and continue to represent their university with pride and competitiveness on the court.