View source for HBCU Athletic Conference

{{Short description|College athletic conference in the US}}
{{hatnote|This page is about the organization formerly known as the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. For the former NCAA athletic conference from the South Central United States, see [[Gulf Coast Conference]]. For the former Southeastern United States based athletic conference, see [[Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (1958–1965)]].}}

{{Infobox sports league
| name         = HBCU Athletic Conference
| logo         = Hbcu conference naia logo.png
| logo_size    = 150
| founded      = {{start date and age|1981}}
| association   = [[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics|NAIA]]
| teams        = 13 (15 in 2025)
| sports       = 9
| mens         = 4
| womens       = 5
| region       = [[Southeastern United States]], [[Texas]], and [[United States Virgin Islands|U.S. Virgin Islands]].
| commissioner = [[Kiki Baker Barnes]]
| website      = [http://www.hbcuac.org hbcuac.org]
| map          = GCAC conference map.png
| map_size     = 250
| color        = black; border:2px solid #4AA8D2
| font_color   = white
}}

{{African American topics sidebar |expanded=sports}}

The '''HBCU Athletic Conference''' ('''HBCUAC'''), formerly known as the '''Gulf Coast Athletic Conference''', is a [[List of college athletic conferences in the United States|college athletic conference]] made up entirely of [[historically black colleges and universities]] (HBCUs) that is affiliated with the [[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics]] (NAIA). Member institutions are located in the states of [[Alabama]], [[Arkansas]],  [[Louisiana]], [[Mississippi]], [[Ohio]], [[South Carolina]], [[Tennessee]], and [[Texas]] as well as the [[Territories of the United States|U.S. territory]] of the [[United States Virgin Islands|U.S. Virgin Islands]].

==History==
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}}
{{OSM Location map
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| nolabels = 1
| title = HBCU Athletic Conference (U.S. Virgin Islands)
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| caption = Location of HBCUAC members: [[Image: Blue pog.svg|10px]] full member
}}

[[File:Gulf Coast Athletic Conference logo.png|thumb|Previous logo (until 2024)]]

[[File:Gulf Coast Athletic Conference old logo.png|thumb|Old logo (from early 1980s)]]

The HBCUAC was established in 1981 as the '''Gulf Coast Athletic Conference''' (GCAC), with the following charter institutions: [[Belhaven University]], [[Dillard University]], [[Louisiana Christian University|Louisiana College]] (now Louisiana Christian University), [[Spring Hill College]], [[Tougaloo College]], [[William Carey University]], and [[Xavier University of Louisiana]]. The first sports were men and women's [[basketball]] and men's [[tennis]], with other sports soon following.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gcaconf.com/d/Historical_Directories/GCAC_Directory_1981-82.pdf |title=Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Directory 1981–1982 |page=2}}</ref>

The [[University of Mobile]] was admitted in October 1985, [[Southern University at New Orleans]] was granted admission in May 1986, [[Loyola University New Orleans|Loyola University]] was admitted in April 1995, and [[Louisiana State University in Shreveport]] became a member in April 2000. In 2005, [[Hurricane Katrina]] forced Dillard and Xavier (Louisiana) to cancel all athletic competition for the 2005–06 season and Loyola and Southern–New Orleans were able only to compete partially. All schools returned to competition in 2006–07, although in most cases with a reduced number of sports.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

Louisiana College left the GCAC to join the [[American Southwest Conference]] of the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] (NCAA) [[NCAA Division III|Division III]] in 2000. Belhaven also left in 2000, only to re-join in 2002; while [[Talladega College]], which joined in 1999, left in 2002. In 2010, Belhaven, Loyola–New Orleans, Spring Hill, Mobile, and William Carey left the GCAC to join the [[Southern States Athletic Conference]] (SSAC).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.chattanoogan.com/2009/9/29/159865/SSAC-To-Expand-And-Restructure.aspx |title=SSAC To Expand And Restructure Conference In 2010-11 |work=TheChattanoogan.com |date=September 29, 2009 |access-date=November 11, 2009}}</ref> In 2010 LSU–Shreveport left the conference to join the [[Red River Athletic Conference]] (RRAC). [[Edward Waters University|Edward Waters College]] (now a university) and [[Fisk University]] joined to replace the departed schools in 2010. Philander Smith College also joined the GCAC in 2011. Talladega College re-joined the conference starting in the 2011–12 academic year. Talladega had been a member of the GCAC from 1999–2000 to 2001–02.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Talladega College Tornadoes|url=http://www.talladegatornadoes.com/article/104.php|title=Talladega College join the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference|date=January 9, 2011|access-date=January 20, 2011}}</ref>

On April 17, 2018, it was announced that [[Rust College]] had joined the GCAC in the 2018–19 season.<ref>{{cite web|work=Victory Sports Network|url=http://wrestling.victorysportsnetwork.com/Clip/news/great-8-gcac-welcomes-rust-college-as-newest-member.htm|title=Great 8: GCAC Welcomes Rust College As Newest Member|date=April 17, 2018|access-date=April 18, 2018}}</ref>

In 2019, Steve Martin resigned from the conference after 5 years to become commissioner of the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges.<ref>{{cite news |title=GCAC's Steve Martin named commissioner of Mississippi Junior College system |url=https://crescentcitysports.com/gcacs-steve-martin-named-commissioner-of-mississippi-junior-college-system/ | access-date=August 24, 2021 |publisher= Crescent City Sports |date=March 11, 2019}}</ref>

In 2019, Southern University at New Orleans suspended its sports program.<ref>{{cite news |title=SUNO to suspend athletic programs months after it was placed on probation over financial problems |url=https://www.nola.com/news/education/article_7c3ae782-1c2c-11ea-9f80-6b53690837f4.html | access-date=August 24, 2021 |website=nola.com |date=December 19, 2019}}</ref>

On September 14, 2020, it was also announced that Xavier (La.) would leave the GCAC for the RRAC<ref>{{cite news |title=Xavier University of Louisiana to become RRAC's 13th member institution in 2021-22 |url=https://www.redriverconference.com/article/2499.php |access-date=October 24, 2020 |publisher=Red River Athletic Conference |date=September 14, 2020}}</ref> and on December 18, Talladega was accepted by the SSAC as a new member.<ref>{{cite news |title=Talladega College to join NAIA's Southern States Conference in 2021-22 |url=http://www.talladegatornadoes.com/article/720 |access-date=March 1, 2021 |publisher=Talladega College Tornadoes |date=December 18, 2020}}</ref> Both departures became effective after the 2020–21 season concluded, coinciding with Fisk's return to the GCAC as published on March 16, 2021.<ref>{{cite news |title=GCAC To Welcome Fisk University Back To Conference In Fall 2021 |url=http://www.gcaconf.com/article/9418.php |access-date=March 22, 2021 |publisher=Gulf Coast Athletic Conference |date=March 16, 2021}}</ref> On July 19, it was reported that Edward Waters would leave the GCAC to join [[NCAA Division II]] for the first time in its history and re-join the [[Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference]] the 2021–22 season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Edward Waters University Returns as SIAC Member Institution |url=http://thesiac.com/news/2021/7/19/general-edward-waters-university-returns-as-siac-member-institution.aspx |publisher=Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference |date=July 19, 2021}}</ref>

In October 2021, Southern at New Orleans began to offer sports again after adding a student fee to fund them.<ref>{{cite news |last=Canicosa |first=JC |title=At a cost to their students, SUNO's athletics program will return next year |url=https://lailluminator.com/2021/10/22/at-a-cost-to-their-students-sunos-athletics-program-will-return-next-year/ |access-date=February 2, 2022 |work=Louisiana Illuminator |date=October 22, 2021}}</ref> On January 20, 2022, the GCAC extended its membership to [[Oakwood University]] and [[Wiley University|Wiley College]], the conference's first Texas member, in addition to the returning Southern at New Orleans. Oakwood and Wiley joined the conference later in July.<ref>{{cite news |title=GCAC Extends Membership To Oakwood University, Wiley College, Southern University at New Orleans |url=http://www.gcaconf.com/article/9455.php |access-date=February 2, 2022 |date=January 20, 2022 |archive-date=February 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202151901/http://www.gcaconf.com/article/9455.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> On November 3, the GCAC invited the [[University of the Virgin Islands]] to become its member in 2023–24, becoming the first four-year institution in a U.S. territory to join an athletic conference affiliated with the NAIA or NCAA in more than a century.<ref>{{cite news |title=UVI Joins NAIA's Gulf Coast Athletic Conference |url=https://www.uvi.edu/news/2022/uvi_joins_naia_athlectic_conference.html |access-date=February 12, 2023 |publisher=University of the Virgin Islands |date=November 3, 2022}}</ref>

On February 29, 2024, the conference announced that it would rebrand as the '''HBCU Athletic Conference''' (HBCUAC), effective on July 1.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mosley |first=Kyle |title=The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) Rebrands To The HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) And Signs Partnership With HOPE Credit Union |url=https://www.si.com/college/hbcu/hbcu/gcac-rebrands-to-hbcuac |publisher=[[Sports Illustrated]] |date=February 29, 2024 |access-date=February 29, 2024}}</ref>

===Chronological timeline===
* 1981 – The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) was founded. Charter members included [[Belhaven University|Belhaven College]] (now Belhaven University), [[Dillard University]], [[Louisiana Christian University|Louisiana College]] (now Louisiana Christian University), [[Spring Hill College]], [[Tougaloo College]], [[William Carey University|William Carey College]] (now William Carey University), and [[Xavier University of Louisiana]], beginning the 1981–82 academic year.
* 1985 – [[University of Mobile|Mobile College]] (now the University of Mobile) joined the GCAC in the 1985–86 academic year.
* 1986 – [[Southern University at New Orleans]] joined the GCAC in the 1986–87 academic year.
* 1995 – [[Loyola University New Orleans|Loyola University]] (now Loyola University New Orleans) joined the GCAC in the 1995–96 academic year.
* 1999 – [[Talladega College]] joined the GCAC in the 1999–2000 academic year.
* 2000 – Two institutions left the GCAC to join their respective new home primary conferences, both effective after the 1999–2000 academic year:
** Belhaven to become an [[NAIA independent schools|NAIA Independent]]
** and Louisiana College to join the [[NCAA Division III|Division III]] ranks of the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] (NCAA) and the [[American Southwest Conference]]
* 2000 – [[Louisiana State University Shreveport|Louisiana State University at Shreveport]] (a.k.a. Louisiana State–Shreveport or LSU Shreveport) joined the GCAC in the 2000–01 academic year.
* 2002 – Talladega left the GCAC to become an [[NAIA independent schools|NAIA Independent]] after the 2001–02 academic year.
* 2002 – Belhaven rejoined the GCAC in the 2002–03 academic year.
* 2005 – Dillard and Xavier (La.) cancelled all athletic competition while Loyola (La.) and Southern–New Orleans competed in partial competition due to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina during the 2005–06 academic year. All of the mentioned member schools would resume full-time athletic competition for the conference on the following season (2006–07 academic year).
* 2010 – Six institutions left the GCAC to join their respective new home primary conferences, all effective after the 2009–10 academic year:
** Loyola (La.), Mobile, Spring Hill and William Carey (with Belhaven for a second time) to join the [[Southern States Athletic Conference]] (SSAC)
** and Louisiana State–Shreveport (or LSU Shreveport) to join the [[Red River Athletic Conference]] (RRAC)
* 2010 – [[Edward Waters University|Edward Waters College]] (now Edward Waters University) and [[Fisk University]] joined the GCAC in the 2010–11 academic year.
* 2011 – [[Philander Smith University|Philander Smith College]] (now Philander Smith University) joined the GCAC (with Talladega rejoining) in the 2011–12 academic year.
* 2013 – [[Voorhees University|Voorhees College]] (now Voorhees University) joined the GCAC in the 2013–14 academic year.
* 2014 – Fisk left the GCAC to become an [[NAIA independent schools|NAIA Independent]] after the 2013–14 academic year.
* 2015 – Voorhees left the GCAC to become an [[NAIA independent schools|NAIA Independent]] after the 2014–15 academic year.
* 2018 – [[Rust College]] joined the GCAC in the 2018–19 academic year.
* 2019 – Southern–New Orleans (SUNO) left the GCAC due to suspending its athletic program until further notice after the 2018–19 academic year.
* 2021 – Three institutions left the GCAC to join their respective new home primary conferences, all effective after the 2020–21 academic year:
** Talladega for a second time to join the SSAC
** Xavier (La.) to join the RRAC
** and Edward Waters to join the [[NCAA Division II]] ranks and rejoining the [[Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference]] (SIAC); although Edward Waters would remain in the GCAC to compete in conference tournaments for all sponsored sports during the provisional transition until the end of the 2021–22 school year
* 2021 – Fisk rejoined the GCAC in the 2021–22 academic year.
* 2022 – Southern–New Orleans (SUNO) announced that it would reinstate its athletics program and rejoin the GCAC, along with new members [[Oakwood University]] and [[Wiley University|Wiley College]] (now Wiley University), beginning the 2022–23 academic year.
* 2023 – The [[University of the Virgin Islands]] (UVI) joined the GCAC in the 2023–24 academic year; thus making the first from a U.S. territory to join an NAIA or NCAA conference in the 21st century. Talladega also rejoined the GCAC for a third time.
* 2024 – [[Stillman College]] and [[Wilberforce University]] joined the GCAC (with Voorhees rejoining) in the 2024–25 academic year.<ref>[https://www.gcaconf.com/general/2023-24/releases/20231009ofr22q Wilberforce University Slated to Join Gulf Coast Athletic Conference in 2024 - Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC)]</ref><ref>[https://voorheesathletics.com/news/2023/10/11/general-voorhees-university-making-move-to-gulf-coast-athletic-conference-in-2024.aspx Voorhees University Making Move to Gulf Coast Athletic Conference in 2024 - Voorhees University]</ref><ref>[https://gostillman.com/news/2023/10/12/general-stillman-college-to-become-13th-member-of-gulf-coast-athletic-conference.aspx Stillman College to become 13th member of Gulf Coast Athletic Conference - Stillman College]</ref>
* 2024 – The GCAC was rebranded as the '''HBCU Athletic Conference''' (HBCUAC) in the 2024–25 academic year.
* 2025 – [[Huston–Tillotson University]] and [[Paul Quinn College]] will join the HBCUAC in the 2025–26 academic year.

==Member schools==
===Current members===
The HBCUAC currently has thirteen full members; all but two are [[Private university|private]] schools:

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! Institution
! Location
! Founded
! Affiliation{{efn|group=full|name=HBCU|Note: All core member institutions are [[Historically black colleges and universities]].}}
! Enrollment
! Nickname
! Joined{{efn|group=full|Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.}}
|-
| '''[[Dillard University]]'''
| [[New Orleans|New Orleans, Louisiana]]
| 1869
| [[United Methodist Church|United Methodist]] &<br>[[United Church of Christ]]
| 900
| [[Dillard Bleu Devils and Lady Bleu Devils|Bleu Devils]] &<br>[[Dillard Bleu Devils and Lady Bleu Devils|Lady Bleu Devils]]
| 1981
|-
| '''[[Fisk University]]'''
| [[Nashville, Tennessee]]
| 1866
| United Church of Christ
| 910
| [[Fisk Bulldogs|Bulldogs]]
| 2010;<br>2021{{efn|group=full|Fisk left the HBCUAC after the 2013–14 school year; before rejoining in the 2021–22 school year.}}
|-
| '''[[Oakwood University]]'''
| [[Huntsville, Alabama]]
| 1896
| [[Seventh-day Adventist Church|Seventh-day Adventist]]
| 1,400
| [[Oakwood Ambassadors|Ambassadors]]
| 2022
|-
| '''[[Philander Smith University]]'''{{efn|group=full|Formerly known as Philander Smith College until 2023.}}
| [[Little Rock, Arkansas]]
| 1864
| United Methodist
| 700
| [[Philander Smith Panthers|Panthers]]
| 2011
|-
| '''[[Rust College]]'''
| [[Holly Springs, Mississippi]]
| 1866
| United Methodist
| 900
| [[Rust Bearcats|Bearcats]]
| 2018
|-
| '''[[Southern University at New Orleans]]'''<br />(SUNO)
| [[New Orleans|New Orleans, Louisiana]]
| 1956
| [[Public university|Public]]
| 2,715
| [[Southern–New Orleans Knights and Lady Knights|Knights]] &<br>[[Southern–New Orleans Knights and Lady Knights|Lady Knights]]
| 1986;<br>2022{{efn|group=former|Southern–New Orleans (SUNO) suspended its athletic program after the 2018–19 school year; and rejoined the HBCUAC in the 2022–23 school year.}}
|-
| '''[[Stillman College]]'''
| [[Tuscaloosa, Alabama]]
| 1876
| [[Presbyterian Church (USA)|Presbyterian]]<br>{{small|(PCUSA)}}
| 1,000
| [[Stillman Tigers|Tigers]]
| 2024
|-
| '''[[Talladega College]]'''
| [[Talladega, Alabama]]
| 1867
| United Church of Christ
| 1,337
| [[Talladega Tornadoes|Tornadoes]]
| 1999;<br>2011;<br>2023{{efn|group=full|Tallaedga left the HBCUAC after the 2001–02 school year; then rejoined from 2011–12 to 2020–21; before rejoining in the 2023–24 school year.}}
|-
| '''[[Tougaloo College]]'''
| [[Tougaloo, Mississippi]]
| 1869
| United Church of Christ &<br>[[Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)|Disciples of Christ]]
| 900
| [[Tougaloo Bulldogs|Bulldogs]]
| 1981
|-
| {{sort|Virgin Islands|'''[[University of the Virgin Islands]]'''}}
| [[Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands]] 
| 1962
| Public
| 2,392
| [[Virgin Islands Buccaneers|Buccaneers]]
| 2023
|-
| '''[[Voorhees University]]'''
| [[Denmark, South Carolina]]
| 1897
| [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopal]]
| 600
| [[Voorhees Tigers|Tigers]]
| 2013;<br>2024{{efn|group=future|Voorhees left the HBCUAC after the 2014–15 school year, before rejoining effective in the 2024–25 school year.}}
|-
| '''[[Wilberforce University]]'''
| [[Wilberforce, Ohio]]
| 1856
| [[African Methodist Episcopal Church|A.M.E. Church]]
| 900
| [[Wilberforce Bulldogs|Bulldogs]]
| 2024
|-
| '''[[Wiley University]]'''{{efn|group=full|Formerly known as Wiley College until 2023.}}
| [[Marshall, Texas]]
| 1873
| United Methodist
| 1,250
| [[Wiley Wildcats|Wildcats]]
| 2022
|}

;Notes:
{{notelist|group=full}}

===Future members===
The HBCUAC will have two new full members; both are [[Private university|private]] schools:

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! Institution
! Location
! Founded
! Affiliation{{efn|group=future|name=HBCU|Note: All core member institutions are [[Historically black colleges and universities]].}}
! Enrollment
! Nickname
! Joining{{efn|group=future|Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.}}
! Current<br>conference
|-
| '''[[Huston–Tillotson University]]'''
| [[Austin, Texas]]
| 1881
| [[United Methodist Church|United Methodist]];<br>[[United Church of Christ|Church of Christ]]
| 800
| [[Huston–Tillotson Rams|Rams]]
| rowspan="2" | 2025
| rowspan="2" | [[Red River Athletic Conference|Red River (RRAC)]]
|-
| '''[[Paul Quinn College]]'''
| [[Dallas|Dallas, Texas]]
| 1872
| [[African Methodist Episcopal Church|A.M.E. Church]]
| 700
| [[Paul Quinn Tigers|Tigers]]
|}

;Notes:
{{notelist|group=future}}

===Former members===
The HBCUAC had 9 former full members, all but one were [[Private university|private]] schools:

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! Institution
! Location
! Founded
! Affiliation
! Enrollment
! Nickname
! Joined{{efn|group=former|Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.}}
! Left{{efn|group=former|Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition ends.}}
! Subsequent<br>conference(s)
! Current<br>conference
|-
| '''[[Belhaven University]]'''{{efn|group=former|Formerly known as Belhaven College until 2010.}}
| [[Jackson, Mississippi]]
| 1883
| [[Evangelical Presbyterian Church (United States)|Evangelical<br>Presbyterian]]
| 3,245
| [[Belhaven Blazers|Blazers]]
| 1981;<br>2002
| 2000;<br>2010
| various{{efn|group=former|Belhaven had joined the following subsequent conferences: as an [[NAIA independent schools|NAIA Independent]] from 2000–01 to 2001–02; the [[Southern States Athletic Conference]] (SSAC) from 2010–11 to 2014–15; and the [[American Southwest Conference]]{{efn|group=former|name=D3|Currently an [[NCAA Division III]] athletic conference.}} from 2015–16 to 2021–22.}}
| [[Collegiate Conference of the South|C.C. South (CCS)]]{{efn|group=former|name=D3}}<br>(2022–present)
|-
| '''[[Edward Waters University|Edward Waters College]]'''{{efn|group=former|Currently known as Edward Waters University since 2021.}}
| [[Jacksonville, Florida]]
| 1866
| [[African Methodist Episcopal Church|A.M.E. Church]]{{efn|group=former|name=HBCU|Also a [[Historically black colleges and universities|historically black college and university]].}}
| 966
| [[Edward Waters Tigers|Tigers]]
| 2010
| 2021{{efn|group=former|Edward Waters remained in the HBCUAC to compete in conference tournaments for all sponsored sports during the provisional transition until after the 2021–22 school year.}}
| colspan="2" | [[Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference|Southern (SIAC)]]{{efn|group=former|name=D2|Currently an [[NCAA Division II]] athletic conference.}}<br>(2021–present)
|-
| '''[[Louisiana Christian University|Louisiana College]]'''{{efn|group=former|Currently known as Louisiana Christian University since November 2021.}}
| [[Pineville, Louisiana]]
| 1906
| [[Southern Baptist Convention|Baptist]]
| 1,200
| [[Louisiana Christian Wildcats|Wildcats]]
| 1981
| 2000
| [[American Southwest Conference|American Southwest]]{{efn|group=former|name=D3}}<br>(2000–21)
| [[Red River Athletic Conference|Red River (RRAC)]]<br>(2021–present)
|-
| '''[[Louisiana State University Shreveport|Louisiana State University at Shreveport]]'''
| [[Shreveport, Louisiana]]
| 1967
| Public
| 4,200
| [[LSU Shreveport Pilots|Pilots]]
| 2000{{efn|group=former|The LSU Shreveport men's and women's basketball teams joined the HBCUAC three years after becoming a full member for other sports (2003–04).}}
| 2010
| colspan="2" | [[Red River Athletic Conference|Red River (RRAC)]]<br>(2010–present)
|-
| '''[[Loyola University New Orleans]]'''
| [[New Orleans|New Orleans, Louisiana]]
| 1904
| [[Catholic Church|Catholic]]<br>{{small|([[Society of Jesus|Jesuit]])}}
| 4,858
| [[Loyola Wolf Pack|Wolf Pack]]
| 1995
| 2010
| colspan=2" | [[Southern States Athletic Conference|Southern States (SSAC)]]<br>(2010–present)
|-
| {{sort|Mobile|'''[[University of Mobile]]'''}}
| [[Mobile, Alabama]]
| 1961
| [[Alabama Baptist Convention|Baptist]]
| 1,577
| [[Mobile Rams|Rams]]
| 1985
| 2010
| colspan=2" | [[Southern States Athletic Conference|Southern States (SSAC)]]<br>(2010–present)
|-
| '''[[Spring Hill College]]'''
| [[Mobile, Alabama]]
| 1830
| Catholic<br>{{small|(Jesuit)}}
| 1,439
| [[Spring Hill Badgers|Badgers]]
| 1981
| 2010
| [[Southern States Athletic Conference|Southern States (SSAC)]]<br>(2010–14)
| [[Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference|Southern (SIAC)]]{{efn|group=former|name=D2}}<br>(2014–present)
|-
| '''[[William Carey University]]'''
| [[Hattiesburg, Mississippi]]
| 1906
| [[Mississippi Baptist Convention|Baptist]]
| 3,250
| [[William Carey Crusaders|Crusaders]]
| 1981
| 2010
| colspan="2" | [[Southern States Athletic Conference|Southern States (SSAC)]]<br>(2010–present)
|-
| '''[[Xavier University of Louisiana]]'''
| [[New Orleans|New Orleans, Louisiana]]
| 1925
| Catholic<br>{{small|([[Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament|S.B.S.]])}}{{efn|group=former|name=HBCU}}
| 3,200
| [[Xavier Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets|Gold Rush]] &<br>[[Xavier Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets|Gold Nuggets]]
| 1981
| 2021
| colspan="2" | [[Red River Athletic Conference|Red River (RRAC)]]<br>(2021–present)
|}

;Notes:
{{notelist|group=former}}

===Membership timeline===
<timeline>
DateFormat = yyyy
ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:20
Period = from:1981 till:2031
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal
PlotArea = right:5 left:5 bottom:50 top:5

Colors = id:barcolor value:rgb(0.99,0.7,0.7)
          id:line value:black
          id:bg value:white
          id:Full value:rgb(0.7,0.9,0.8) # Use this color to denote a team that is a member in all sports
          id:FullxF value:rgb(0.9,0.8,0.7) # Use this color to denote a team that is a member in all sports except for football
          id:AssocF value:rgb(0.9,0.7,0.8) # Use this color to denote a team that is a member for football only
          id:AssocOS value:rgb(0.8,0.9,0.7) # Use this color to denote a team that is a member for another sport only
          id:OtherC1 value:rgb(0.996,0.996,0.699) # Use this color to denote a team that has moved in another conference
          id:OtherC2 value:rgb(0.988,0.703,0.383) # Use this color to denote a team that has moved in another conference when the other color has already been used

PlotData =
 width:15 textcolor:black shift:(5,-5) anchor:from fontsize:s

 bar:1 color:FullxF from:1981 till:2000 text:[[Belhaven University|Belhaven]] (1981–2000)
 bar:1 shift:(-15) color:OtherC1 from:2000 till:2002 text:[[NAIA independent schools|NAIA Ind.]]
 bar:1 color:FullxF from:2002 till:2010 text:(2002–2010)
 bar:1 color:OtherC1 from:2010 till:2015 text:[[Southern States Athletic Conference|SSAC]]
 bar:1 color:OtherC2 from:2015 till:2022 text:[[American Southwest Conference|AmSW]]
 bar:1 color:OtherC1 from:2022 till:end text:[[Collegiate Conference of the South|CCS]]

 bar:2 color:FullxF from:1981 till:end text:[[Dillard University|Dillard]] (1981–present)

 bar:3 color:FullxF from:1981 till:2000 text:[[Louisiana Christian University|Louisiana Christian]] (1981–2000)
 bar:3 color:OtherC1 from:2000 till:2021 text:[[American Southwest Conference|AmSW]]
 bar:3 color:OtherC2 from:2021 till:end text:[[Red River Athletic Conference|RRAC]]

 bar:4 color:FullxF from:1981 till:2010 text:[[Spring Hill College|Spring Hill]] (1981–2010)
 bar:4 color:OtherC1 from:2010 till:2014 text:[[Southern States Athletic Conference|SSAC]]
 bar:4 color:OtherC2 from:2014 till:end text:[[Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference|SIAC]]

 bar:5 color:FullxF from:1981 till:end text:[[Tougaloo College|Tougaloo]] (1981–present)

 bar:6 color:FullxF from:1981 till:2010 text:[[William Carey University|William Carey]] (1981–2010)
 bar:6 color:OtherC1 from:2010 till:end text:[[Southern States Athletic Conference|SSAC]]

 bar:7 color:FullxF from:1981 till:2021 text:[[Xavier University of Louisiana|Xavier (La.)]] (1981–2021)
 bar:7 color:OtherC1 from:2021 till:end text:[[Red River Athletic Conference|RRAC]]

 bar:8 color:FullxF from:1985 till:2010 text:[[University of Mobile|Mobile]] (1985–2010)
 bar:8 color:OtherC1 from:2010 till:end text:[[Southern States Athletic Conference|SSAC]]

 bar:9 color:FullxF from:1986 till:2019 text:[[Southern University at New Orleans|Southern–New Orleans]] (1986–2019)
 bar:9 color:FullxF from:2022 till:end text:(2022–present)

 bar:10 color:FullxF from:1995 till:2010 text:[[Loyola University New Orleans|Loyola (La.)]] (1995–2010)
 bar:10 color:OtherC1 from:2010 till:end text:[[Southern States Athletic Conference|SSAC]]

 bar:11 color:FullxF from:1999 till:2002 text:[[Talladega College|Talladega]] (1999–2002)
 bar:11 shift:(65) color:OtherC1 from:2002 till:2011 text:[[NAIA independent schools|NAIA Ind.]]
 bar:11 color:FullxF from:2011 till:2021 text:(2011–2021)
 bar:11 color:OtherC1 from:2021 till:2023 text:[[Southern States Athletic Conference|SSAC]]
 bar:11 color:FullxF from:2023 till:end text:(2023–present)

 bar:12 color:FullxF from:2000 till:2010 text:[[Louisiana State University Shreveport|LSU Shreveport]] (2000–2010)
 bar:12 color:OtherC1 from:2010 till:end text:[[Red River Athletic Conference|RRAC]]

 bar:13 color:FullxF from:2010 till:2021 text:[[Edward Waters University|Edward Waters]] (2010–2021)
 bar:13 color:AssocOS from:2021 till:2022 text:[[Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference|SIAC]]
 bar:13 color:OtherC1 from:2022 till:end text:

 bar:14 color:FullxF from:2010 till:2014 text:[[Fisk University|Fisk]] (2010–2014)
 bar:14 shift:(20) color:OtherC1 from:2014 till:2021 text:[[NAIA independent schools|NAIA Ind.]]
 bar:14 color:FullxF from:2021 till:end text:(2021–present)

 bar:15 color:FullxF from:2011 till:end text:[[Philander Smith University|Philander Smith]] (2011–present)

 bar:16 color:FullxF from:2013 till:2015 text:[[Voorhees University|Voorhees]] (2013–2015)
 bar:16 shift:(80) color:OtherC1 from:2015 till:2024 text:[[NAIA independent schools|NAIA Ind.]]
 bar:16 color:FullxF from:2024 till:end text:(2024–present)

 bar:17 color:FullxF from:2018 till:end text:[[Rust College|Rust]] (2018–present)

 bar:18 color:FullxF from:2022 till:end text:[[Oakwood University|Oakwood]] (2022–present)

 bar:19 color:FullxF from:2022 till:end text:[[Wiley University|Wiley]] (2022–present)

 bar:20 color:FullxF from:2023 till:end text:[[University of the Virgin Islands|Virgin Islands]] (2023–present)

 bar:21 color:FullxF from:2024 till:end text:[[Stillman College|Stillman]] (2024–present)

 bar:22 color:FullxF from:2024 till:end text:[[Wilberforce University|Wilberforce]] (2024–present)

 bar:23 shift:(-50) color:FullxF from:2025 till:end text:[[Huston–Tillotson University|Huston–Tillotson]] (2025–future)

 bar:24 shift:(-20) color:FullxF from:2025 till:end text:[[Paul Quinn College|Paul Quinn]] (2025–future)

 bar:N color:skyblue from:1981 till:2024  text:Gulf Coast Athletic Conference
 bar:N color:blue from:2024 till:end  text:HBCU Athletic Conference

ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit:year increment:2 start:1982

TextData =
 fontsize:M
 textcolor:black
 pos:(0,25) tabs:(400-center)
 text:^"HBCU Athletic Conference membership history"

#> If the chart uses more than one bar color, add a legend by selecting the appropriate fields from the following three options (use only the colors that are used in the graphic.) Leave a blank line after the end of the timeline, then add a line with the selected values from the list, separated by a space.
{{Font color||{{RGB|178|229|204}}|&nbsp;Full member (all sports)&nbsp;}}
{{Font color||{{RGB|229|204|178}}|&nbsp;Full member (non-football)&nbsp;}}
{{Font color||{{RGB|229|178|204}}|&nbsp;Associate member (football-only)&nbsp;}}
<#
</timeline>

{{Font color||{{RGB|229|204|178}}|&nbsp;Full member (non-football)&nbsp;}}
{{Font color||{{RGB|204|229|178}}|&nbsp;Associate member (sport)&nbsp;}}

==Conference sports==
{| width=400 style="float:right"
|-
|colspan=2|A divisional format is used for basketball (M/W), baseball and volleyball (W).
|-
|width=50%|{{center|'''East'''}}
* Fisk
* Oakwood
* Rust
* Stillman
* Talladega
* Voorhees
* Wilberforce
|width=50%|{{center|'''West'''}}
* Dillard
* Philander Smith
* Southern–New Orleans
* Tougaloo
* Virgin Islands
* Wiley
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; text-align:center"
|+ Conference sports
! Sport || Men's || Women's
|-
| {{left}} [[Baseball]] || {{Y}} ||
|-
| {{left}} [[Basketball]] || {{Y}} || {{Y}}
|-
| {{left}} [[Cross country running|Cross Country]] || {{Y}} || {{Y}}
|-
| {{left}} [[College Softball|Softball]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Athletic Conference |first1=HBCU |title=Decatur Morgan County Tourism Wins Bid to Host 2025 HBCUAC Softball Championship |url=https://hbcuac.org/sports/sball/2024-25/releases/20240814ntov9i}}</ref> || || {{Y}}
|-
| {{left}} [[Track and Field|Track & Field Outdoor]] || {{Y}} || {{Y}}
|-
| {{left}} [[Volleyball]] || || {{Y}}
|}

===Women's sponsored sports by school===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
! School!! Basketball !! Cross country !! Softball !! Track and<br />field (outdoor) !! Volleyball !! Total HBCUAC Sports
|-
| align=left | Dillard || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 5
|-
| align=left | Fisk || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||  || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 4
|-
| align=left | Oakwood || {{yes}} ||  || {{yes}} ||  || {{yes}} || 3
|-
| align=left | Philander Smith || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||  || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 4
|-
| align=left | Rust || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 5
|-
| align=left | SUNO || {{yes}} ||  ||  ||  || {{yes}} || 2
|-
| align=left | Stillman || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 5
|-
| align=left | Talladega || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 5
|-
| align=left | Tougaloo || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||  ||  || {{yes}} || 3
|-
| align=left | UVI || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||  || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 4
|-
| align=left | Voorhees || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||  || 4
|-
| align=left | Wilberforce || {{yes}} ||  ||  ||  || {{yes}} || 2
|-
| align=left | Wiley || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||  || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 4
|-
|<u>Totals</u> || 13 || 10 || 6 || 9 || 12 || --
|}

===Men's sponsored sports by school===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
! School!! Baseball !! Basketball !! Cross <br> country !! Track and<br />field (outdoor) !! Total HBCUAC Sports
|-
| align=left | Dillard || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 4
|-
| align=left | Fisk ||  || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 3
|-
| align=left | Oakwood || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||  ||  || 2
|-
| align=left | Philander Smith || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 4
|-
| align=left | Rust || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 4
|-
| align=left | SUNO || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||  ||  || 2
|-
| align=left | Stillman || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 4
|-
| align=left | Talladega || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 4
|-
| align=left | Tougaloo || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||  || 3
|-
| align=left | UVI ||  || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 4
|-
| align=left | Voorhees || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 4
|-
| align=left | Wilberforce || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||  || 3
|-
| align=left | Wiley || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 4
|-
| Totals || 11 || 13 || 11 || 9 || --
|}

===Women's sports not sponsored by the HBCUAC which are played by its members===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
! School !! Acrobats &<br>Tumbling !! Bowling !! Competitive<br>Cheer !! Competitive<br>Dance !! Golf !! Gymnastics !! Indoor Track<br>and Field !! Soccer !! Tennis
|-
| align=left | Dillard ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  || {{yes}}
|-
| align=left | Fisk ||  ||  ||  ||  || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||  || 
|-
| align=left | Oakwood ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  || {{yes}} || 
|-
| align=left | Philander Smith ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  || {{yes}} ||  || 
|-
| align=left | Rust ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  || {{yes}}
|-
| align=left | Stillman ||  || {{yes}} ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  || 
|-
| align=left | Talladega || {{yes}} ||  ||  ||  || {{yes}} ||  || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 
|-
| align=left | Tougaloo ||  ||  || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||  ||  ||  || {{yes}} || 
|-
| align=left | Voorhees ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  || {{yes}} ||  || 
|-
| align=left | Wilberforce ||  ||  || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||  || {{yes}} ||  || {{yes}} || 
|-
| align=left | Wiley ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  || {{yes}} || 
|-
|<u>Totals</u> || 1 || 1 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 4 || 5 || 2
|}

===Men's sports not sponsored by the HBCUAC which are played by its members===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
! School !! Bowling !! Competitive<br>Cheer !! Competitive<br>Dance !! Golf !! Indoor Track<br>and Field !! Soccer !! Tennis !! Volleyball
|-
| align=left | Dillard ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  || {{yes}} || 
|-
| align=left | Fisk ||  ||  ||  || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||  || 
|-
| align=left | Oakwood ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  || {{yes}} ||  || 
|-
| align=left | Philander Smith ||  ||  ||  ||  || {{yes}} ||  ||  || 
|-
| align=left | Rust ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  || {{yes}} || 
|-
| align=left | Stillman || {{yes}} ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  || 
|-
| align=left | Talladega ||  ||  ||  || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||  || {{yes}}
|-
| align=left | Tougaloo ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  || {{yes}} ||  || 
|-
| align=left | Voorhees ||  ||  ||  ||  || {{yes}} ||  ||  || 
|-
| align=left | Wilberforce ||  || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||  ||  ||  || 
|-
| align=left | Wiley ||  ||  ||  ||  ||  || {{yes}} ||  || 
|-
|<u>Totals</u> || 1 || 1 || 1 || 3 || 4 || 5 || 2 || 1
|}

==Conference champions==
===Baseball===
{| class="wikitable"
! Year !! Regular season champion !! Tournament champion
|- align=center
| 2015 || Edward Waters College || [[Talladega College]]
|- align=center
| 2014 || [[Talladega College]] || [[Talladega College]]
|- align=center
| 2013 || N/A || N/A
|- align=center
| 2012 || N/A || N/A
|- align=center
| 2011 || N/A || N/A
|- align=center
| 2010 || Belhaven College || [[Louisiana State University Shreveport]]
|- align=center
| 2009 || [[William Carey University]] || Belhaven College
|- align=center
| 2008 || [[University of Mobile]] || cancelled
|- align=center
| 2007 || Belhaven College || [[Louisiana State University Shreveport]] 
|- align=center
| 2006 || Belhaven College || [[Louisiana State University Shreveport]] 
|- align=center
| 2005 || [[Louisiana State University Shreveport]] || [[William Carey University]] 
|- align=center
| 2004 || [[William Carey University]] || Belhaven College 
|- align=center
| 2003 || [[William Carey University]] || none 
|- align=center
| 2002 || [[Loyola University New Orleans]] || none 
|- align=center
| 2001 || [[Spring Hill College]] || none 
|- align=center
| 2000 || [[Spring Hill College]] || none 
|- align=center
| 1999 || [[University of Mobile]] || none 
|- align=center
| 1998 || [[University of Mobile]] || none 
|- align=center
| 1997 || [[Spring Hill College]] || none 
|- align=center
| 1996 || [[William Carey University]] || none 
|- align=center
| 1995 || [[William Carey University]] || none 
|- align=center
| 1994 || Belhaven College || none 
|- align=center
| 1993 || [[William Carey University]] || none 
|- align=center
| 1992 || [[William Carey University]] || none 
|- align=center
| 1991 || [[William Carey University]] || none 
|- align=center
| 1990 || [[William Carey University]] || none 
|- align=center
| 1989 || [[William Carey University]] || none 
|- align=center
| 1988 || [[William Carey University]] || none 
|- align=center
| 1987 || [[Louisiana Christian University|Louisiana College]] || none 
|- align=center
| 1986 || [[William Carey University]] || none 
|- align=center
| 1985 || [[Spring Hill College]] || none 
|- align=center
| 1984 || [[William Carey University]] || none 
|- align=center
| 1983 || [[William Carey University]]<br>[[Spring Hill College]] || none 
|- align=center
| 1982 || [[William Carey University]] || none 
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website}}

{{Gulf Coast Athletic Conference navbox}}
{{NAIA conference navbox}}
{{HBCU}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:HBCU Athletic Conference| ]]
[[Category:College sports in Alabama]]
[[Category:College sports in Arkansas]]
[[Category:College sports in Louisiana]]
[[Category:College sports in Mississippi]]
[[Category:College sports in Texas]]
[[Category:Sports in the United States Virgin Islands]]