The Longwood Lancers don’t get much attention. Such is the plight of a Big South program.
But while the Lancers have only been a Division I member since 2004, it doesn’t mean Longwood is new on the scene. In fact, Longwood University is one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the country. Founded in 1839 as Farmville Female Seminary, it underwent seven name changes before settling on its current title.
The school may be best known for bringing high-level low-major softball to Farmville, Virginia — a town in the middle of the state roughly an hour and 15 minutes west of Richmond.
2024 marks the men’s basketball program’s second invitation to the big dance, though it had made four other NCAA tournament appearances over its time in both the Division III and Division II ranks.