Lawrence has established itself as one of the finest programs in the nation over the past decade. Lawrence won five of six Midwest Conference championships and MWC Tournament titles from 2004-09 (2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009). Lawrence also earned a No. 1 national ranking in 2005-06 and had the nation's best record that season. The Vikings' season begins in late October with the first practice and runs through the conference playoffs at the end of February. The Vikings play an 18-game conference schedule, and their nonconference slate features some of the top teams in the Midwest. The winner of the Midwest Conference Tournament automatically qualifies for the NCAA Division III Tournament.