The River States Conference (RSC) is a competitive college division basketball and baseball conference that was founded in 1989 and is composed of ten member institutions. The conference spans three states: Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and has a long and successful history of college sports success. The RSC is an important part of the NCAA Division II Eastern collegiate athletic landscape.

Member Institutions

The River States Conference includes 10 member institutions ranging from major universities to small liberal arts colleges:

• Carlow University
• Clarion University
• Mercyhurst University
• Notre Dame College
• Ohio Valley University
• Seton Hill University
• West Liberty University
• West Virginia Wesleyan
• Wheeling Jesuit University
• Ursuline College

Sports Competed

The River States Conference organizes and hosts a variety of sports at the NCAA Division II level, including men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, tennis and cross country. The River States also sponsors some non-NCAA sports, providing team and individual competitions in sports such as women’s golf, volleyball and track and field.

Notable Achievements/Rivalries

The River States Conference has seen its fair share of successes over the years. In 2018, West Liberty University Men’s Basketball team won the National Championship in Division II Basketball. This title was particularly impressive considering they only joined the RSC a year before and was the first National Championship for any RSC institution. The River States Conference is also known for its intense intra-conference rivalries, such as the Mercyhurst vs. Clarion rivalry in basketball, the West Liberty vs. Wheeling Jesuit rivalry in baseball, and the Carlow vs. Seton Hill rivalry in women’s soccer.

Conference Governance & Scheduling

The River States Conference is governed by a Board of Directors, which is elected annually and is composed of one representative from each of the member institutions. The Board of Directors is responsible for setting the conference standards and regulations, as well as enforcing them. The Board of Directors also oversees the scheduling and championships of all the conference sports.

River States Conference Role & Impact

The River States Conference plays an important role in the local, state and even national sports scenes. Not only does the RSC provide an opportunity for student athletes to compete in college-level sports, but also helps to foster community engagement and school spirit. Additionally, the conference serves as a platform for its member institutions to showcase their talents to a wider audience.

Future Prospects of the River States Conference

The River States Conference has gained much momentum in recent years due to its competitive teams and spirited rivalries. There is a high potential for the RSC to keep building on its past success by doing things such as adding new member institutions and creating more opportunities for student athletes. With student athletes and coaches that are eager to reach the top of the NCAA Division II rankings, the future looks bright for the River States Conference.