JACKSON -- Millsaps College will serve as host for the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference men's and women's basketball tournament for the next two seasons athletics director Tim Wise announced today, the first time in the school's history.

"Millsaps College is very appreciative of the opportunity the SCAC and the member institutions have provided us with the awarding of the SCAC Tournament the next two seasons in Jackson," Wise said. "We will work extremely hard to make this a weekend of great memories for those who are part of the experience.''

The first round of the tournament will be played on Friday, Feb. 26, 2010, with the winners advancing to the semifinals on Feb. 27 and finals on Sunday, Feb. 28.  The winner of Sunday's championship game will earn the NCAA's automatic berth into the field of 59 playoff teams.

The SCAC Tournament began at the end of the 2002-03 season, with Trinity University winning the inaugural championship trophy on both the men's and women's side and advancing to the NCAA Tournament.  Rhodes College served as host the first five seasons (2003-07) before Hendrix College (2008-09) hosted the final two tournaments. 

Since 2003, the Millsaps men have advanced to the SCAC Tournament six times, winning the championship at Hendrix College in 2008 after upsetting then 2nd-ranked Centre College, 69-60, and snapping their nation-long 25-game winning streak. The Majors missed the tournament for the first time last year, despite winning four of their last six SCAC games.

On the women's side, the Majors have advanced to the SCAC tournament three times, including last year, but have yet to win a first-round game.

All-Time SCAC Tournament Champions (Men)
2003 -- Trinity University (over Centre, 58-54)
2004 -- Trinity University (over Oglethorpe, 81-69)
2005 -- Trinity University (over Sewanee, 72-53)
2006 -- DePauw University (over Centre, 64-61)
2007 -- Centre College (over Trinity, 72-57)
2008 -- Millsaps College (over Centre, 69-60)
2009 -- Centre College (over Southwestern, 72-67)

All-Time SCAC Tournament Champions (Women)
2003 -- Trinity University (over DePauw, 63-47)
2004 -- DePauw University (over Trinity, 62-57)
2005 -- Trinity University (over DePauw, 84-70)
2006 -- DePauw University (over Trinity, 67-65)
2007 -- DePauw University (over Oglethorpe, 73-60)
2008 -- DePauw University (over Oglethorpe, 72-69)
2009 -- Oglethorpe University (over Trinity, 82-65)