MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Southern States Athletic Conference Board of Presidents unanimously approved the addition of Xavier University of Louisiana for full membership effective July 1, 2026, with competition beginning during the 2026-27 academic year.
XULA was also approved for affiliate membership in competitive cheer and men’s and women’s indoor track and field for the 2025-26 season. XULA was previously an affiliate in the SSAC for men’s and women’s tennis and competitive cheer, claiming SSAC titles in women’s tennis and competitive cheer in 2021.
Quick Facts
Location: New Orleans LA 70125
Founded: 1925
Enrollment: 3,218 (fall 2024 semester)
Nickname: Gold Rush (men), Gold Nuggets (women), Gold (co-ed competitive cheer)
School Colors: Gold and white
President: Dr. Reynold Verret
Alma Mater, Year: Columbia, 1976
Athletics Director: Pat Kendrick
Alma Mater, Year: George Mason, 1982
Men's Intercollegiate Sports Sponsored: 8 — Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Rowing, Soccer, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Tennis
Women's Intercollegiate Sports Sponsored: 9 — Basketball, Cross Country, Rowing, Soccer, Softball, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Tennis, Volleyball
Co-Ed Intercollegiate Sports Sponsored: 1 — Competitive Cheer
They Said It
Pat Kendrick, XULA Executive Director of Athletics and Recreation: "We are excited to join the Southern States Athletic Conference. We look forward to great competition in that league. We also look forward to renewing conference rivalries with Loyola, Mobile and William Carey."
Reynold Verret, XULA President: “Joining the Southern States Athletic Conference affirms our commitment to excellence and affords more opportunities for our scholar-athletes who excel in the classroom and their respective sports. We thank the SSAC for its confidence in Xavier University of Louisiana.”
Mike Hall, SSAC Commissioner: “We are thrilled to welcome Xavier University of Louisiana as a full member of the SSAC beginning in 2026. They’re coming off a top 25 finish in the Learfield Directors’ Cup standings and have a proud tradition of excellence both academically and athletically. Their addition strengthens our conference on many levels. We appreciate the leadership of President Reynold Verret, Vice President Curtis Wright and Athletics Director Pat Kendrick throughout this process and look forward to working with them in the years ahead.”
Follow Xavier
University Website: www.xula.edu
Athletics Website: www.xulagold.com
X: @xulagold
Facebook: @xulagold
Instagram: @xulagold
About the SSAC
The SSAC is one of the premier NAIA conferences, founded in 1999, with 12 member institutions across Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. The Montgomery, Ala.-based conference sponsors 20 intercollegiate sports, culminating in 20 neutral-site conference championship events held annually throughout the Southeastern region of the United States.