Southwest Baptist University Athletics

Joined the SBU (SWBC) administrative staff in 1965 as the director of academic affairs … Served in that role until 1969 when he was elected president of then Southwest Baptist College … Appointed chancellor in 1979 … Under the leadership of Sells, SWBC grew from a small junior college to a university offering degrees on both the undergraduate and graduate levels … His vision for a beautiful campus turned a 125-acre open field into the current day campus, housing most of SBU’s classrooms and buildings … In May 1989, Jim and Joyce Sells were honored for their lifelong commitment to SBU with the naming and dedication of the Sells Administrative Center … Dr. Sells’ contributions to SBU athletics are significant … Under his leadership, SBU began varsity football in the fall of 1983 … Perhaps Sells’ greatest contribution was his dream for the school to compete in the NCAA ... In 1988, SBU was granted full membership status in NCAA Division II.