Austin College encourages competition in intercollegiate athletics and participation in intramurals, club sports, and outdoor recreation, and considers these activities an important component of the college’s educational program. The college affiliates nationally with the NCAA Division III and competes as a member of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC), an athletic conference comprised of national liberal arts Division III colleges in Colorado, Louisiana, and Texas. The football team competes in the Southern Athletic Association as an affiliate member. The men’s water polo team competes within the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, and the women’s water polo team competes in the Collegiate Water Polo Association.
Intercollegiate varsity sports for men include football, baseball, basketball, tennis, swimming and diving, cross country, distance track, soccer and water polo. Similarly, women compete in basketball, cross country, distance track, volleyball, tennis, swimming and diving, soccer, softball, and water polo.
Students will have access to financial aid for college without the obligation of an athletics scholarship. All decisions concerning financial aid in any form are made without regard to student athletic ability or participation. Each intercollegiate participant must meet all NCAA Division III eligibility standards and must be a full-time student. Students are not eligible to represent their team in intercollegiate athletic competition during the period of any type of probation or deferred suspension, unless a specific exception was included in the written notice of probation or deferred suspension.
In addition to physical activity courses and athletics, students may participate throughout their college years in various recreational and intramural activities. Intramural programs in a variety of sports and other leisure activities exist for both men and women throughout the year.