American collegiate athletics conference
TheRed River Athletic Conference is acollege athletic conference affiliated with theNational Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The conference's 13 member institutions are located inLouisiana ,New Mexico , andTexas .
Red River Athletic Conference
250km
North American
Xavier (La.)
Louisiana Christian
Texas A&M–San Antonio
Texas A&M–Texarkana
UNT-Dallas
Texas A&M–Victoria
LSUA
LSUS
OLLU
Texas College
Southwest
Jarvis Christian
Location of RRAC members:
current,
current (non-basketball),
departing
The Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) began competition in fall 1998 with 16 charter members.[ 1] Texas A&M University–Texarkana in 2016.[ 2] St. Thomas Houston announced its departure from the conference to join theSouthern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) of theNCAA Division III as a provisional member.[ 3] Texas A&M University–San Antonio was approved for membership into the NAIA and it was simultaneously announced that the Jaguars would begin competition in the conference starting in the 2020–21 academic year,[ 4] Xavier University of Louisiana andLouisiana Christian University (formerly Louisiana College) in September and October respectively.[ 5] [ 6]
On January 20, 2022, theGulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) invited founding Red River memberWiley College (now Wiley University) to become the GCAC's first Texas institution, effective later in July.[ 7]
On July 6, 2023,North American University was accepted as the RRAC's 14th conference member for the 2023–24 school year.[ 8]
On July 1, 2025, the RRAC announced the addition of theUniversity of North Texas at Dallas as a full conference member. UNTD was previously a full member of theSooner Athletic Conference .[ 9]
Chronological timeline [ edit ] 1998 – The Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) was founded. Charter members includedBacone College ,Houston Baptist University (now Houston Christian University),Huston–Tillotson University ,Jarvis Christian College (now Jarvis Christian University),Langston University ,Northwestern Oklahoma State University ,Northwood University–Texas ,Paul Quinn College , theUniversity of Science and Arts of Oklahoma , theUniversity of the Southwest ,Southwestern Adventist University ,Southwestern Assemblies of God University (now Nelson University), theUniversity of Texas Permian Basin ,Texas College andWiley College (now Wiley University), beginning the 1998–99 academic year. 2000 – USAO left the RRAC to join theSooner Athletic Conference (SAC) after the 1999–2000 academic year. 2001:Northwestern Oklahoma State left the RRAC to join the Sooner after the 2000–01 academic year. Texas Wesleyan University joined the RRAC in the 2001–02 academic year. 2002: 2006: 2007 – Houston Baptist (now Houston Christian) left the RRAC and the NAIA to join theNCAA Division I ranks as anNCAA D-I Independent (which would later join theGreat West Conference , beginning the 2008–09 school year) after the 2006–07 academic year. 2008 –Our Lady of the Lake University joined the RRAC in the 2008–09 academic year. 2010 –Louisiana State University–Shreveport (Louisiana State–Shreveport or LSU Shreveport) joined the RRAC in the 2010–11 academic year. 2012 – TheUniversity of St. Thomas joined the RRAC in the 2012–13 academic year. 2013 – Northwood–Texas, SAGU (now Nelson) and Texas Wesleyan left the RRAC to join the Sooner after the 2012–13 academic year. 2014 –Louisiana State University–Alexandria (Louisiana State–Alexandria or LSU Alexandria) joined the RRAC in the 2014–15 academic year. 2015:Two institutions left the RRAC to join their respective new home primary conferences, both effective after the 2014–15 academic year: TheUniversity of Houston–Victoria (Houston–Victoria or UHV; now Texas A&M University–Victoria) joined the RRAC in the 2015–16 academic year. 2016 –Texas A&M University–Texarkana (Texas A&M–Texarkana or TAMUT) joined the RRAC in the 2016–17 academic year. 2018 – Langston left the RRAC to join the Sooner after the 2017–18 academic year. 2019 – St. Thomas (Tex.) left the RRAC to join theNCAA Division III ranks and theSouthern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) after the 2018–19 academic year. 2020 –Texas A&M University–San Antonio (Texas A&M–San Antonio or TAMUSA) joined the RRAC in the 2020–21 academic year. 2021 –Louisiana Christian University (formerly Louisiana College) andXavier University of Louisiana joined the RRAC in the 2021–22 academic year. 2022: 2023: 2024 – Five institutions left the RRAC as affiliate members, all effective after the 2024 spring season (2023–24 academic year):Lewis–Clark State for women's tennis and Carroll (Mont.), Montana Tech, Providence (Mont.) and Rocky Mountain for men's golf 2025: 2026 – Two institutions will leave the RRAC to join their respective new home primary conferences, both effective beginning 2026–27 academic year: The RRAC currently has 13 full members, with a slight majority (seven) beingprivate schools.
Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined[ a] Basketball? Jarvis Christian University Hawkins, Texas 1912 Disciples of Christ [ b] 800 Bulldogs 1998 both Louisiana Christian University Pineville, Louisiana 1906 Southern Baptist 950 Wildcats 2021 both Louisiana State University of Alexandria Alexandria, Louisiana 1959 Public[ c] 5,330 Generals 2014 both Louisiana State University Shreveport Shreveport, Louisiana 1967 Public[ c] 9,736 Pilots 2010 both North American University Stafford, Texas 2007 Nonsectarian 923 Stallions 2023 both University of North Texas at Dallas Dallas, Texas 2000 Public[ d] 3,797 Trailblazers 2025 both Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio, Texas 1895 Catholic (C.D.P. ) 2,096 Saints 2008 both[ e] University of the Southwest Hobbs, New Mexico 1962 Nondenominational 1,034 Mustangs 1998 both[ f] Texas College Tyler, Texas 1894 C.M.E. Church [ b] 644 Steers 1998 both Texas A&M University–San Antonio San Antonio, Texas 2009 Public[ g] 7,584 Jaguars 2020 both[ h] Texas A&M University–Texarkana Texarkana, Texas 1971 Public[ g] 2,109 Eagles 2016 both[ i] [ j] Texas A&M University–Victoria [ k] Victoria, Texas 1973 Public[ g] 3,784 Jaguars 2015 none Xavier University of Louisiana New Orleans ,Louisiana 1925 Catholic(S.B.S. ) [ b] 3,181 Gold Rush &Gold Nuggets 2021 both[ l]
Notes ^ Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins. ^a b c Also ahistorically black college and university . ^a b Part of theLouisiana State University System . ^ Part of theUniversity of North Texas System . ^ The Our Lady of the Lake men's and women's basketball teams joined the RRAC a year after becoming a full member for other sports (2009–10). ^ The Southwest (N.Mex.) men's and women's basketball teams joined the RRAC a decade after becoming a full member for other sports (2008–09). ^a b c Part of theTexas A&M University System . ^ The Texas A&M–San Antonio men's and women's basketball teams joined the RRAC four years after becoming a full member for other sports (2024–25). ^ The Texas A&M–Texarkana men's and women's basketball teams joined the RRAC three years after becoming a full member for other sports (2019–20). ^ Texas A&M–Texarkana will depart the RRAC for theNCAA Division II Lone Star Conference (LSC) after the 2025–26 school year. ^ Texas A&M–Victoria joined the RRAC as the University of Houston–Victoria, known athletically as UHV. The university transferred from the University of Houston System to the Texas A&M University System on September 1, 2025. ^ Xavier will depart the RRAC for theSouthern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) after the 2025–26 school year. The RRAC has 16 former full members, all but five wereprivate schools:
Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined[ a] Left[ b] Current Bacone College Muskogee, Oklahoma 1880 Tribal college N/A Warriors 1998[ c] 2015 Closed in 2024 Houston Baptist University [ d] Houston, Texas 1960 Baptist 4,189 Huskies 1998 2007 Southland (SLC) [ e] Huston-Tillotson University Austin, Texas 1881 UMC &UCC [ f] 1,029 Rams 1998 2025 HBCU (HBCUAC) Langston University Langston, Oklahoma 1897 Public[ f] 1,910 Lions 1998 2018 Sooner (SAC) Northwestern Oklahoma State University Alva, Oklahoma 1897 Public 1,929 Rangers 1998 2001 Great American (GAC) [ g] Northwood University Cedar Hill, Texas 1966 Nonsectarian N/A Knights 1998[ h] 2013 Closed in 2014 Paul Quinn College Dallas, Texas 1872 A.M.E. Church 602 Tigers 1998 2025 HBCU (HBCUAC) University of St. Thomas Houston, Texas 1947 Catholic (C.S.B. ) 3,813 Celts 2011 2019 Southern (SCAC) [ i] University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Chickasha, Oklahoma 1908 Public 914 Drovers 1998 2000 Sooner (SAC) Southwestern Adventist University Keene, Texas 1893 Seventh-day 817 Knights 1998 2002 USCAA Independent Southwestern Assemblies of God University [ j] Waxahachie, Texas 1927 Assemblies of God 1,725 Lions 1998 2013 Sooner (SAC) Texas A&M International University Laredo, Texas 1969 Public 8,536 Dustdevils 2002[ k] 2006 Lone Star (LSC) [ g] Texas Wesleyan University Fort Worth, Texas 1890 United Methodist 2,595 Rams 2001 2013 Sooner (SAC) University of Texas at Brownsville [ l] Brownsville, Texas 1991 Public N/A Ocelots [ m] 2006 2015 N/A[ n] University of Texas Permian Basin Odessa, Texas 1973 Public 5,899 Falcons 1998[ o] 2006 Lone Star (LSC) [ g] Wiley University [ p] Marshall, Texas 1873 United Methodist[ f] 636 Wildcats 1998[ q] 2022 HBCU (HBCUAC)
Notes ^ Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins. ^ Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition ends. ^ The Bacone men's and women's basketball teams joined the RRAC three years after becoming a full member for other sports (2001–02). ^ Currently known as Houston Christian University since 2022. ^ Currently anNCAA Division I athletic conference. ^a b c Also ahistorically black college and university . ^a b c Currently anNCAA Division II athletic conference. ^ The Northwood–Texas men's and women's basketball teams joined the RRAC fourteen years after becoming a full member for other sports (2012–13). ^ Currently anNCAA Division III athletic conference. ^ Currently known as Nelson University since 2024. ^ The Texas A&M International men's and women's basketball teams joined the RRAC a year after becoming a full member for other sports (2003–04). ^ Non-basketball full member. ^ UT Brownsville's other nickname before the merger with Texas–Pan American (UTPA) wasScorpions until after the 2011–12 school year, then competed without a nickname during the 2012–13 school year, before adopting theOcelots nickname for their final two seasons. ^ Texas–Brownsville (UTB) was merged with theUniversity of Texas–Pan American (UTPA) to become theUniversity of Texas–Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) in 2015. The new institution inherited the UTPA athletic program, which now operates as theUTRGV Vaqueros in theNCAA Division I Southland Conference . ^ The Texas–Permian Basin men's and women's basketball teams joined the RRAC four years after becoming a full member for other sports (2002–03). ^ Current known as Wiley University since 2023. ^ The Wiley men's and women's basketball teams joined the RRAC four years after becoming a full member for other sports (2002–03). Former affiliate members [ edit ] The RRAC had five former affiliate members, three arepublic schools and two areprivate schools:
Notes Membership timeline [ edit ] Full member (non-football) Associate member (sport)
A divisional format is used for basketball (M / W), softball, and volleyball. East
Jarvis Christian Louisiana Christian LSU Alexandria LSU Shreveport Texas College Texas A&M-Texarkana Xavier West
North American Our Lady of the Lake Southwest Texas A&M-San Antonio Texas A&M-Victoria UNT-Dallas
The Red River Athletic Conference sponsors championships in seven men's and eight women's sports.
[ edit ] School Baseball Basketball Cross Golf Tennis Track & field Soccer Jarvis Christian Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Louisiana Christian Yes Yes No Yes No No Yes LSU-Alexandria Yes Yes No No No No Yes LSU-Shreveport Yes Yes No No No No Yes North American No Yes No No No Yes Yes North Texas-Dallas No Yes Yes No No Yes No Our Lady of the Lake Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Southwest Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Texas College Yes Yes No No No Yes Yes Texas A&M-San Antonio No Yes No Yes No No Yes Texas A&M-Texarkana Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Texas A&M-Victoria Yes No No Yes No No Yes Xavier Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes
[ edit ] School Softball Basketball Cross Golf Tennis Track & field Soccer Volleyball Jarvis Christian Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Louisiana Christian Yes Yes No No Yes No Yes Yes LSU-Alexandria Yes Yes No No Yes No Yes No LSU-Shreveport No Yes No No Yes No Yes No North American No Yes Yes No No Yes Yes No North Texas-Dallas No Yes Yes No No Yes No No Our Lady of the Lake Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Southwest Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Texas College Yes Yes No No No Yes Yes No Texas A&M-San Antonio Yes Yes No No No No Yes No Texas A&M-Texarkana Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Texas A&M-Victoria Yes No No Yes No No Yes No Xavier Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes
^ "Looking Back at the Past 15 Years of RRAC Basketball" . Victory Sports Network. June 18, 2013. RetrievedJuly 20, 2015 .^ "LSUA Joins the Red River Athletic Conference" . LSU Alexandria. October 23, 2013. RetrievedJuly 20, 2015 .^ "NCAA Advances UST Houston to Provisional Members Division III" . University of St. Thomas. February 25, 2019.^ "NAIA Approves Five Institutions for Membership" . NAIA. March 31, 2020. RetrievedMarch 31, 2020 .^ "Xavier University of Louisiana to become RRAC's 13th member institution in 2021-22" . Red River Athletic Conference. September 14, 2020. Archived fromthe original on February 26, 2023. RetrievedOctober 24, 2020 .^ "Louisiana College accepted into NAIA, joins RRAC and SAC" .Crescent City Sports . October 5, 2020. RetrievedOctober 24, 2020 .^ "GCAC Extends Membership To Oakwood University, Wiley College, Southern University at New Orleans" . Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. January 20, 2022. RetrievedFebruary 2, 2022 .^ "North American University Joins RRAC as 14th Member Institution" . Red River Athletic Conference. July 6, 2023. RetrievedJuly 6, 2023 .^ https://redriverconference.com/general/2024-25/releases/20250701deny86
Single Division Football-only Lacrosse-only † Conference sponsors football
Y
