The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC or RMAC) is one of the oldest college sports conferences in the United States and is centrally located in the west. Founded in 1909, the conference has an esteemed history of providing quality athletic opportunities for its member institutions and producing noteworthy achievements in sports competition. The RMAC is comprised of nine well-known NCAA Division II member institutions and participates in 21 sports, offering national championship events annually.
History of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference dates back to 1909 when it was formed as the Colorado Faculty Athletic Conference (CFAC). The conference was composed of five charter members: Colorado College, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University, University of Denver, and University of Northern Colorado (then known as the Colorado State Normal School). In 1925, the University of Wyoming was added as the sixth member of the RMAC. During the Great Depression, the CFAC was officially incorporated and renamed the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
In 1937, Colorado College withdrew its membership from the conference, and ultimately, the name of the organization was changed to the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Athletic Association (RMIAA). In 1948, Wyoming rejoined the RMAC and the RMIAA changed its name back to the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
In 1962, the conference underwent its second major expansion by adding a seventh member, Brigham Young University- Idaho, followed by Weber State University in 1987 and Western State College in 1988. In 1992, CSU-Pueblo and Dixie State University were added to the conference before the final expansion when Texas A & M International University and New Mexico Highlands University joined in 1995.
Member Institutions and Sports Competed
Today, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference has nine active member institutions located in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, New Mexico, Texas, Utah and Wyoming. The schools in the RMAC are:
- Adams State University (ASU)
- Black Hills State University (BHSU)
- Colorado Christian University (CCU)
- Colorado School of Mines (CSM)
- Colorado State University-Pueblo (CSU-Pueblo)
- Dixie State University (DSU)
- Fort Lewis College (FLC)
- New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU)
- Western State Colorado University (WSCU)
The RMAC’s main objective is to provide numerous athletic opportunities for its member institutions and also to nurture collegiate athletics by maintaining the highest standards in all areas of athletic competition. As such, the conference’s 21 sports make up the league’s largest program, providing perennial intercollegiate competition. The sports include baseball, basketball, cross-country, football, golf, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, volleyball, wrestling, and lacrosse (men’s)
Notable Achievements and Rivalries
The RMAC is known for its talented athletes and has produced many notable achievements on the field of play. The conference has won seven NCAA Division II national championships since its last re-structuring. The RMAC is also one of the top academic conferences in the nation and has received several honors in relation to the classroom achievements of its student-athletes.
Throughout the conference’s history, rivalries have developed between members. The most prominent rivalries are “The Colorado Showdown” between Colorado State University-Pueblo and Colorado Mines, as well as “The Battle of the Rockies” between Western State Colorado and Colorado Mines.
The Operational Structure of the RMAC
The RMAC is governed by an Executive Council consisting of two representatives from each of its nine full-member institutions. The Executive Council is responsible for establishing RMAC policies, regulations, and procedures for sports and championships.
The conference operates an interlocking schedule in which each member school has the opportunity to play against all other member institutions in its sport’s relevant season, with the exception of football. In football, the conference divides teams into divisions to manage scheduling and to pit the best teams against each other for maximum competition.
The RMAC also sponsors several championship events across its different sports, such as the RMAC Wrestling Championships or the RMAC Women’s Basketball Championships. These championship events not only afford the athletes in the conference with an opportunity to compete on a grander stage, but also to attract attention from the local, national sports scene.
The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference’s Impact on College Sports
The RMAC has long been a strong presence in the college sports scene and has contributed significantly to the sporting traditions of the western United States. The RMAC operates as a spring board for aspiring student-athletes who wish to take their talents to the NCAA Division I level or beyond. The conference provides a safe environment for athletes to continue to hone their skills and cultivate their personal philosophies as they prepare to move onto the next step of their athletic careers.
Additionally, the RMAC’s 21 sports are available at all levels in local and regional competition. The conference continues to promote high standards of excellence in all its sport programs and offers opportunities for its student-athletes to experience excellence in academics as well as athletics, all while representing their respective schools, communities, and regions with distinction.
Looking to the Future of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference has a long and proud history on the college sports scene and has recently seen some notable achievements in the sporting arena. As the conference moves forward, the RMAC will continue to focus on maintaining its rich history of tradition as well as exploring new heights in collegiate sports.
The future of the RMAC looks bright as its member institutions are becoming increasingly involved in the conference’s operations and as the quality of competition increases. In addition, the RMAC looks to expand its reach by engaging in more partnerships and collaborations with local and regional sports associations in order to ensure the development of its athletes. As such, the future of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is optimistic and the conference looks toward continued growth and success in the years ahead.