In 2006, UST returned to intercollegiate athletics by beginning a women’s volleyball program. After one season, the Celts were joined by men’s soccer. The University further expanded into college athletics by adding men’s basketball in 2009. In 2011, women’s basketball and men’s and women’s golf were added to the department. Women’s Soccer first competed in the fall of 2014 and Cross Country (men and women) will be offered in the fall of 2018.
The University was formerly a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC). The NAIA promotes education and development of students through intercollegiate athletic participation and competition. Member institutions, although varied and diverse, share a common commitment to high standards and to the principle that participation in athletics serves as an integral part of the total educational process.
In the fall of 2019 St. Thomas will begin competing in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Division Ill. Having already received an official invitation to become a member of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC), UST will become a full–time official member of the SCAC in 2023–2024.
The UST Athletic Department is committed to creating a first–class environment by recruiting, developing, and retaining outstanding student–athletes who will maximize their potential intellectually, socially, and athletically while at St. Thomas. We are dedicated to providing the resources and leadership for our student–athletes to succeed in competition and in the classroom. We graduate champions! For more information about athletics, contact the Athletic Department at 713–831–7214.
University of St. Thomas Athletics: www.ustcelts.com