Office of the Commissioner
1444 Oak Lawn Avenue
Suite 105
Dallas, TX 75207


Commissioner: David Flores
Assistant Commissioner:  Nathan Yacovissi


2021-22 and 2022-23 American Southwest Conference Executive Committees for Governance
 

Council of Presidents
Chair	Eric Bruntmyer, J.D., Hardin-Simmons University
Vice Chair	Dr. Cory Hines, Howard Payne University
Immediate Past Chair	Dr. Donald Christian, Concordia University Texas

Council of Faculty Athletics Representatives

Chair	Dr. Will Walker, East Texas Baptist University
Vice Chair	Dr. Jessica Velasco, Sul Ross State University
Immediate Past Chair	Chuck Boland, Howard Payne University

Council of Directors of Athletics

Chair	Hunter Sims, Howard Payne University
Vice Chair	Ronda Seagraves, Concordia University Texas
Immediate Past Chair	John Neese, Hardin-Simmons University

Council of Senior Woman Administrators

Chair	Kendra Whitehead, Hardin-Simmons University
Vice Chair	Open
Immediate Past Chair	N/A

The American Southwest Conference, one of the largest intercollegiate athletic conferences in NCAA Division III, has provided quality athletic experiences for its student-athletes, coaches and administrators for over 26 sport seasons.

Founded May 23, 1996 to provide a structure for intercollegiate athletics among member institutions, the American Southwest Conference includes former members of the Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association (TIAA) and institutions within and outside the Texas borders. From the eight founding institutions to today's present group of 10 college and universities, the ASC encompasses institutions sharing similar educational and athletic philosophies. Spread across Arkansas and Texas, the ASC offers student-athletes competition in 16 sports with opportunity for advancement to conference and NCAA Division III championships.

The American Southwest Conference embodies a multidimensional mission aimed at creating an environment characterized by opportunities to learn, friendly competition and activities for its conference membership. ASC members believe team and individual sports provide learning opportunities, and its membership strives to create an athletics environment supportive of teaching and learning. Conference and NCAA resources also provide student-athletes, coaches and administrators access to academic, leadership, sportsmanship and career enhancement opportunities.

Traditional standards of ethical conduct and fair play are respected among ASC members. To guarantee the integrity of the association, the membership is committed to furthering the philosophy and policies of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III and the Conference.

The roster of American Southwest Conference members in 2023-24 includes Concordia University Texas, East Texas Baptist University, Hardin-Simmons University, Howard Payne University, LeTourneau University, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, McMurry University, University of the Ozarks, Sul Ross State University and the University of Texas at Dallas. The University of California, Santa Cruz is an affiliate member in women's golf with Austin College, Southwestern University and Texas Lutheran University as affiliate members in football.

ASC championships are awarded in 16 sports (8 men, 8 women). Men's championships are offered in baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis and track and field. Women's championships are offered in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field and volleyball.

The American Southwest Conference is headquartered in Richardson, Texas.

---

MISSION STATEMENT

The American Southwest Conference is a group of universities with similar educational and athletic philosophies. The ASC was founded to provide a structure for intercollegiate athletics among the member institutions. Its multi-dimensional mission is to create an environment that is characterized by opportunities to learn, friendly competition and enjoyable activities for the universities involved.

Each member institution should abide by policies that enhance the mission, goals and objectives of the ASC.

ASC members believe that team and individual sports provide learning opportunities. Members should create an athletics environment that supports teaching and learning.

The welfare of students who participate in intercollegiate athletics is a vital concern of the membership. Members should create and abide by policies and the procedures that insure student welfare.

Traditional standards of ethical conduct and fair play are respected. To guarantee the integrity of the association the membership adheres to the policies of the Conference and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

---

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

"A basic purpose of this association is to maintain intercollegiate athletics as an integral part of the educational program and the athlete as an integral part of the student body."

Goal:
To provide an organization that will enhance intercollegiate athletic competition among American Southwest Conference institutions. The ASC provides a structure that will integrate intercollegiate athletics as an integral part of the academic program and the student body.

Objectives:

• To insure athletic programs are characterized by academic integrity, fiscal responsibility and reflect the institutions' educational mission.
• To provide opportunities for students to engage in intercollegiate athletics.
• To integrate appropriate athletic experiences as part of institutions' educational programs.
• To encourage the graduation of student athletes.
• To assist in the establishment of competitive athletic programs.
• To assist members' compliance with NCAA and ASC standards and policies.
• To encourage attention to the student athletes' mental and physical health, promoting safety and fair treatment.

---

ASC MEMBERSHIP TIMELINE

(Year approved for conference membership or withdrawal from league)

 

1996	Founding Members (May 23, 1996) --
	Austin College, University of Dallas, Hardin-Simmons University, Howard Payne University,
	McMurry University, Mississippi College, University of the Ozarks and Sul Ross State University
	The 1996-97 academic year is the first year of ASC championships and competition.
1997	University of Mary Hardin-Baylor joins ASC membership
1998	East Texas Baptist University, LeTourneau University, Schreiner College (now University)
	and University of Texas at Dallas join ASC membership.
1999	Concordia University at Austin (now Concordia University Texas) joins ASC membership.
2000	Louisiana College (now Louisiana Christian University) and Texas Lutheran University join ASC membership.
2001	University of Dallas withdraws from ASC membership.
2002	University of Texas at Tyler joins ASC membership.
2006	Austin College withdraws from ASC membership.
2011	Centenary College of Louisiana joins ASC membership.
2012	Centenary College of Louisiana and McMurry University withdraw from ASC membership.
2013	Schreiner University and Texas Lutheran University withdraw from ASC membership.
	University of California, Santa Cruz joins the ASC as affiliate member in women's golf.
2014	McMurry University rejoins ASC membership.
	Mississippi College withdraws from ASC membership
2015	Belhaven University joins ASC membership.
2017	Southwestern University joins the ASC as affiliate member in football.
	Texas Lutheran University joins the ASC as affiliate member in football.
2019	University of Texas at Tyler withdraws from ASC membership
2021	Austin College joins the ASC as an affiliate member in football.
	Louisiana College (now Louisiana Christian University) withdraws from ASC membership
2022	Belhaven University withdraws from ASC membership

---

ASC STAFF HISTORY Commissioner

Fred Jacoby	June 1996 – June 2006
Amy Carlton	June 2006 – April 2023
David Flores	July 2023 – Present

Assistant Commissioner (2010-present), Director of Media Relations (1997-2010)