After three years in the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC), Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) has announced it is making the move to the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) following the 2025-2026 athletic season.
“We are thrilled to welcome Xavier University of Louisiana as a full member of the SSAC beginning in 2026,” said SSAC Commissioner Mike Hall. “They’re coming off a top-25 finish in the Learfield Directors’ Cup standings and have a proud tradition of excellence both academically and athletically. Their addition strengthens our conference on many levels. We appreciate the leadership of President Reynold Verret, Vice President Curtis Wright and Athletics Director Pat Kendrick throughout this process and look forward to working with them in the years ahead.”
XULA joined the RRAC in the summer of 2021 after a 40-year stint in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (now HBCU Athletic Conference).
They will be the third HBCU to leave the conference this time next year, along with Huston-Tillotson and Paul Quinn, who are each leaving to join the HBCU Athletic Conference.
Before joining the SSAC as a full-time member, XULA will compete in the conference as an affiliate member in competitive cheer and women’s and men’s indoor track and field.
They will become the third HBCU to join the SSAC since its establishment in 1999 (Talladega College left in 2023, and Stillman College left in 2024).
