After 103 years, Luther College has announced that it will be leaving the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) at the conclusion of the 2025-26 academic year. The Norse will be departing for membership in the Midwest Conference. Luther was a charter member of the A-R-C which dates back to 1922.
As the A-R-C moves into the next chapter, the main focus continues to be on the student-athletes and their experience in one of the top Division III conferences in the nation. The A-R-C has a rich history with member institutions earning 159 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships, six Top 30 Woman of the Year Honorees, four NCAA Today’s Top 10 Honorees, and 722 College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA) Academic All-Americans.
About the American Rivers Conference
The Conference dates back to December 8, 1922, when representatives from 12 colleges got together and formed the “Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Association.” Honoring its heritage in Iowa and its expansion outside the state, the American Rivers Conference brand was established on August 9, 2018, to build on the academic and athletic success provided by its legacy, the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The A-R-C has nine full-time members: Buena Vista University, Central College, Coe College, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Luther College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Simpson College, and Wartburg College.
