LONGVIEW, Texas -- LeTourneau University has accepted an invitation to join the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC), beginning in the 2025-26 academic year.

"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. 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," said LeTourneau University president Dr. Steven Mason.

The move to the SCAC will become official on July 1, 2025.

LeTourneau will remain in the American Southwest Conference through the 2024-25 academic year and be eligible for conference championships during that time.

"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 LeTourneau University vice president for athletics Dr. Tim Sceggel. "It is a joy and privilege to be counted among these elite academic institutions."

"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. We look forward to the opportunity of growing our relationship with the institution beyond the fields and courts."

Currently, the SCAC has nine full members, but the conference will look a bit different when LeTourneau joins. Current SCAC members that will remain in the league in 2025-26 include: Austin College, Centenary College, Colorado College, University of Dallas, Schreiner University, University of St. Thomas, and Texas Lutheran University. McMurry University, Concordia University Texas, and University of the Ozarks are current ASC members that will join the SCAC in 2024-25 and LeTourneau will reconnect with those institutions in 2025-26.

LeTourneau began the transition to NCAA Division III in 1998 and has called the American Southwest Conference home ever since. The YellowJackets have won eight conference championships in the ASC.

Sceggel continued, "Additionally, we incredibly thankful for the last 26 years of membership in the American Southwest Conference, and will be eager to see those friends continue to thrive."

ABOUT THE SCAC

The Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) was formed to provide an association through which the member institutions may encourage organized competition in intercollegiate sports among teams 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.

FOLLOW THE YELLOWJACKETS

Be sure to follow LeTourneau athletics all season long on letuathletics.com and social media at Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram for up-to-date scores, news, and other information.