JARVIS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY BECOMES 16TH MEMBER OF THE HBCU ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
HAWKINS, Texas — Jarvis Christian University (JCU) has been unanimously approved for membership in the HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC), the conference's Council of Presidents announced today. Beginning with the 2026–27 academic year, JCU will compete as the conference's 16th member institution. Their addition is a landmark moment for both the university and the broader HBCU athletic community as the HBCUAC becomes the largest HBCU sports league in the nation.
The HBCUAC conference office made the official announcement during a press conference on Tuesday.
"Jarvis Christian University is a distinguished institution with a proud legacy of academic excellence and community impact," HBCUAC Commissioner Kiki Baker Barnes said. "We are thrilled to welcome JCU into the HBCUAC family. Their membership strengthens our conference's commitment to providing HBCU student-athletes with the highest level of competition, collaboration, and opportunity. This is a proud day for our entire conference."
About Jarvis Christian University
Jarvis Christian University is a historically Black institution, affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), offering degrees at the associate, baccalaureate, and master's levels. The mission of the University is to prepare a diverse population of lifelong learners intellectually, socially, spiritually, and personally through providing interactive services and using varied modalities of instructional delivery.
About the HBCU Athletics Conference
The HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) is the only HBCU conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The HBCUAC membership includes Dillard University (LA), Fisk University (TN), Huston-Tillotson University (TX), Oakwood University (AL), Paul Quinn College (TX), Philander Smith University (AR), Rust College (MS), Southern University at New Orleans (LA), Stillman College (AL), Talladega College (AL), Tougaloo College (MS), University of the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas), Voorhees University (SC), Wilberforce University (OH), and Wiley University (TX). HBCUAC sponsors championships in men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's track and field, women's volleyball, softball, and baseball. In 2022, the HBCUAC secured the largest media rights deal in conference and NAIA history, signing a multimillion-dollar deal with Urban Edge Network. On July 1, 2024, the conference rebranded from the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) to the HBCU Athletic Conference, marking a new era for the conference that embodies the makeup of its membership. For more information, visit hbcuac.org.
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