Independent until after the 2016–17 school year; and in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) from 1978–79 to 1987–88, which is currently an NCAA Division II athletic conference.
For certain single sports, the Rust Bearcats softball team competed in the defunct D-III Great South Athletic Conference (GSAC) as an affiliate member from 2013–14 to 2014–15.
Rust competes in 11 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, tennis and track & field (outdoor); while women's sports include basketball, cross country, softball, tennis, track & field (outdoor) and volleyball.
=== Accomplishments ===
In 1984, the women's basketball team won their first national championship with a 51-49 win over Elizabethtown College.
== Notable alumni ==
Larry Anderson, basketball coach for MIT
Charles Banks (1873–1923), bank founder and businessman, early resident of Mound Bayou
Lucie Campbell (1885–1963), composer, hymnwriter
Alvin Childress (1907–1986), actor
Melerson Guy …
