Lamar University was the only founding school member of the Southland Conference until Abilene Christian University rejoined .
Founded in 1963 , its members were Abilene Christian College ( now Abilene Christian University ; departed 1973 for NCAA Division II but became Division I and rejoined the Southland effective 2013 ) , Arkansas State College ( departed 1987 , now a member of the Sun Belt Conference ) , Arlington State College ( now The University of Texas at Arlington , which joined the Western Athletic Conference in 2012 and will move to the Sun Belt in 2013 ) , Lamar State College of Technology ( now Lamar University , left in 1987 and rejoined in 1999 , being the only founding school that was a member until Abilene Christian rejoined the Southland in 2012 ) , and Trinity University ( departed 1971 , now participating in NCAA Division III ) .
Southland Conference