Arlington Baptist University Athletics

Arlington Baptist fields seven varsity sports with 188 total athletes, meaning about 70% of the 268 students participate in athletics. The Patriots compete in the American Midwest Conference as an NAIA school, which sits between major college sports and small college athletics with limited scholarships and regional competition. The university offers no athletic scholarships despite the high participation rate. NAIA schools typically emphasize character development and academic achievement alongside competitive sports. The Patriots draw from a heavily Texas-based student body, with 85% coming from in-state. Basketball and baseball anchor the athletic program at this small Baptist university. The high athlete-to-student ratio creates a campus culture where sports participation is central to student life, though the 43% retention rate suggests many students transfer after their first year.