The American Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) is an NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletic conference that is composed of twenty-eight member institutions located in fourteen states. The ACAA was established in 1975, and those several members have over 80 years of history together in sport. Starting out with basketball and soccer as its only sports when the league was first organized, the ACAA now sponsors ten different competitions.

History and Significance of the ACAA

The ACAA was formed in 1975 by a group of schools desiring to provide a competitive collegiate athletic conference in which student-athletes from all of its member institutions could participate. It quickly became one of the established college sports conferences in the country. The establishment of the ACAA grew out of the larger fact of regionalization of athletic conferences, with the schools in the South, Midwest, and East forging their own athletic leagues.
The Association has since become an important part of collegiate athletics, especially in the southeastern United States. The ACAA is involved in the national sporting events, including NCAA Championships. It also sponsors regional championships and holds its annual ACAA Conference Tournament and ACAA All-Star Classic.

Member Institutions of the ACAA

The current members of the ACAA are:

• Indiana University South Bend
• Michigan State University
• Ohio State University
• The University of South Florida
• Jacksonville University
• University of Alabama-Birmingham
• University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
• East Carolina University
• Western Kentucky University
• Central Arkansas University
• University of North Georgia
• Kennesaw State University
• Georgia Southern University
• Troy University
• University of West Alabama
• University of Central Arkansas
• University of Arkansas-Little Rock
• Mississippi State University
• University of Louisiana-Monroe
• Louisiana Tech University
• Nicholls State University
• University of North Alabama
• University of Arkansas-Monticello
• Delta State University
• University of South Alabama
• Texas A&M University-Commerce
• Stephen F. Austin State University
• University of Tennessee-Martin
• East Texas Baptist University

Sports within the ACAA

The ACAA currently sponsors ten different sports. These include:

• Men: Basketball, Soccer, Baseball, and Cross Country
• Women: Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, Softball, Cross Country, and Golf

Notable Achievements in the ACAA

The ACAA is proud of its member institutions that compete in athletics. In total, ACAA member schools have won 108 NCAA Championships. In addition, ACAA athletes have earned many individual honors. Over the past several years, many ACAA athletes have been awarded All-American and All-Conference recognition. The ACAA is also proud of its accomplishments in team play. The ACAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams have won ten NCAA Tournament bids in the past three seasons. The ACAA Men’s Soccer teams have won the Student-Athlete Academic Success Award, while the Women’s Soccer teams have received the National Academic Success Award for five years in a row.

Rivalries Within the ACAA

The ACAA has numerous rivalries between its member institutions. The most notable rivalry is between Indiana University South Bend and Michigan State University in the men’s basketball rivalry, which have been playing each other since the formation of the conference.
Other rivalries include Ohio State University and the University of South Florida in women’s soccer and East Carolina University and Western Kentucky University in football.

How the Conference Operates

The ACAA is governed by its Board of Directors, which includes the Athletic Directors and Presidents of all of the member institutions. Each member institution is responsible for maintaining its own athletic departments and teams in compliance with all of the rules of the Association. The ACAA is responsible for creating and managing the schedules for its intercollegiate competitions and practices. The Athletic Directors at each member institution are responsible for setting team travel and competition times. In addition, the ACAA oversees the recruitment of athletes for its member institutions.
The ACAA also organizes its own championship events. These events include the Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships, the Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championships, and the Women’s Volleyball Championships.

Role of the ACAA

The ACAA plays a significant role in collegiate athletics, serving as the governing body for its members and as the liaison between member institutions and the NCAA. The ACAA also supports its member institutions by providing resources and educational opportunities.
The ACAA has an impact on the local and national sports scene, as the member institutions all compete in the same conference. The rivalries between schools spur excitement and competition within the conference, as well as throughout the entire college sports world.

Future Prospects of the ACAA

The ACAA is looking to the future with optimism and ambition. The conference has recently undergone a number of changes to improve and expand, such as expanding the number of teams and sports, increasing sponsorship opportunities, and adding more teams to the conference.
The ACAA is committed to providing the highest level of competition for its member institutions and promoting the ideals of sportsmanship, integrity, and overall excellence. The future of the conference looks bright, and it is certain that it will continue to be a major force in collegiate athletics for years to come.