In their final year competing at the Division I Level of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes (NAIA), the men’s basketball team is ending with a bang. By winning the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) Tournament Championship, they will compete at the NAIA Division I National Tournament.

The Celts competed against Louisiana State University-Shreveport at LeTourneau University on March 9. With a 67-55 win, the basketball team won the RRAC Tournament Championship.

The Celts previously qualified for the National Tournament in 2013 and 2014. They also won the RRAC Championship in 2013.

A Meaningful Victory

Head Coach Anthony Medina ’12, himself an alumnus of the UST basketball team, said that this victory was especially meaningful for him.

“Winning the championship means a lot of things to me because when I was a player, I wasn’t able to help put a banner on the wall. I wasn’t on a team that made it this far,” Medina said. “So it makes it that much more special for me that I’ve been able to coach this team, who have done that.”

Transitioning to NCAA Division III

Last year, the UST Celts accepted membership in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC). Next year, the Athletics program transitions to National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III.

“To have an accomplishment like this RRAC Championship sends the message to NCAA that we’re a good Athletics program,” Medina said. “This proves that they made a good choice by accepting us.”

The men’s basketball team travel to Kansas City, Mo. for the NAIA Division I National Tournament from March 20-26. The bracket will be announced Wed., March 13.

Story by Katie Fleming