SUWANEE, Ga. – LeTourneau University has accepted an offer of membership into the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) and will become a core member of the league effective the 2025-26 academic year. Complete Release
"I am thrilled to announce LeTourneau University's transition to the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference -- for our student-athletes and coaches especially, but also for our entire campus and the greater Longview community," said LeTourneau President Dr. Steven Mason. "The SCAC is an ideal fit for LETU as one of the premier NCAA Division III conferences in the country. It has built a long tradition of athletic success across a range of sports, and its member schools embrace an academic profile that supports our culture and the holistic experience we provide our student-athletes. We're glad to be joining a conference that's growing from strength to strength, and we look forward to partnering with our fellow members in the SCAC and to making our own mark in the conference."
LeTourneau currently has 15 varsity programs and approximately 300 student-athletes. Men's intercollegiate teams include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis and track and field. Women's intercollegiate teams include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field and volleyball.
"We welcome LeTourneau University into the strong and growing Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference," said University of St. Thomas President Richard Ludwick, chair of the SCAC Board of Directors. "Our shared commitment to excellence for the student experience both academically and athletically drives our collective success. We are confident our newest member will be a vibrant contributor to that work."
"Adding LeTourneau University makes a ton of sense for us." said SCAC commissioner Dwayne Hanberry. "From both a geographical and a sports sponsorship basis, they will fit seamlessly into our current structure."
"I'm excited that LeTourneau viewed our league as a preferred destination for their student-athletes," continued Hanberry. "We look forward to the opportunity of growing our relationship with the institution beyond the fields and courts."
Regarding conference membership turnover, Hanberry stated, "Every conference around us is dealing with change in some form or fashion. I'm proud of where the SCAC is today and excited for our future as we prepare to onboard our newest members over the next couple of years. The addition of LeTourneau further strengthens our conference and positions us well in our corner of the Division III world."
Founded in 1946 as LeTourneau Technical Institute, the school was open initially to only male students. In 1961 the school became LeTourneau College, a co-educational four-year school. In 1989 LeTourneau College became LeTourneau University, a SACSCOC-accredited, non-denominational Christian university, offering four-year and two-year degree programs in engineering, technology, the liberal arts, business, aeronautical science, education, and the sciences, plus master's degree programs in business and education.
The University currently enrolls just over 3,500 students, 1,622 of which are undergraduate students. The student body is diverse, representing 48 states and territories, 34 foreign countries and 50 denominations/religions.
The University's sports teams are known as the YellowJackets, and the department, a member of NCAA Division III since 1998, has collectively won eight American Southwest Conference championships.
"This is a significant moment in the history of our institution as it aligns our athletic department perfectly with other like-minded institutions that are committed to providing a phenomenal student-athlete experience while pursuing excellence," said Vice President for Athletics Dr. Tim Sceggel. "It is a joy and privilege to be counted among these elite academic institutions."
SOUTHERN COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE - AT A GLANCE
The SCAC, originally known as the College Athletic Conference (CAC) upon its formation in 1962, is comprised of some of the most prestigious liberal arts colleges and universities in the region.
The SCAC was formed to provide an association through which the member institutions may encourage organized competition in intercollegiate sports among team's representative of their respective student bodies. Members of this conference share a commitment to priority of the overall quality of academic standards and quality educational experiences.
SCAC member institutions are committed to sponsoring a variety of varsity sports to maximize opportunities for student participation. SCAC schools also operate under the principle that participation in sports should be solely from student interest and enjoyment of athletic competition, and that no financial aid shall be given to any student which is conditional upon athletic ability or participation in intercollegiate sports.
SCAC member institutions support students in their efforts to reach high levels of performance by providing them with adequate facilities, competent coaching and appropriate competitive opportunities with students from similar institutions.
2025-26 CONFERENCE MEMBERSHIP (First year of participation)
Austin College – Sherman, Texas (2006)
Colorado College – Colorado Springs, Colo. (2006)
University of Dallas – Irving, Texas (2011)
Centenary College – Shreveport, La. (2012)
Schreiner University – Kerrville, Texas (2013)
Texas Lutheran University – Seguin, Texas (2013)
University of St. Thomas – Houston, Texas (2019)
Concordia University Texas – Austin, Texas (2024)
McMurry University – Abilene, Texas (2024)
University of the Ozarks – Clarksville, Arkansas (2024)
LeTourneau University – Longview, Texas (2025)
