title: University of Rio Grande
text: The University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College (originally Rio Grande College) is a private university and public community college merged into one institution in Rio Grande, Ohio. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
  
  History
  
  Early history 
  Ira Haning, a Free Will Baptist minister, persuaded Nehemiah and Permelia Atwood, along with Eustace St. James, affluent residents and entrepreneurs, to use their wealth to establish a college. Following Nehemiah's death in 1869, the responsibility for making this dream a reality fell to his wife Permelia. In 1873, Permelia Ridgeway Atwood established an endowment and deeded  of land for Rio Grande College, which officially opened on September 13, 1876. In its first year, Ransom Dunn was president as well as professor of mental and moral philosophy.
  
  Athletics 
  The Rio Grande athletic teams are called the RedStorm. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the River States Conference (RSC; formerly known as the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) until after the 2015–16 school year) since the 2014–15 academic year; which they were a member on a previous stint from 1964–65 to 1970–71. The RedStorm previously competed in the Mid-South Conference (MSC) from 2009–10 to 2013–14, and in the defunct American Mideast Conference AMC; (formerly known as the Mid-Ohio Conference - MOC, until after the 1997–98 school year) from 1971–72 to 2008–09.
  
  Rio Grande competes in 25 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, rugby, soccer, track & field (indoor & outdoor), volleyball and wrestling; while women's sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, rugby, soccer, softball, track & field (indoor & outdoor) and volleyball; and co-ed sports include bass fishing, cheerleading, dance and eSports.
  
  Notable alumni 
  
  Bernie Bickerstaff, former NBA head coach and executive.
  Matthew Boyles, professional race walker.
  Frank Cremeans, represented the state of Ohio in the United States House of Representatives.
  Bevo Francis, a legendary basketball player, put Rio Grande on the map in 1954 when he scored 113 points in a single game against Hillsdale College. Francis' feat stood as an NCAA record for 58 years until Jack Taylor of Grinnell College broke the mark with a 138-point performance against Faith Baptist Bible College on November 20, 2012.
  Kendell Foster Crossen, pulp fiction and science fiction writer.
  Ben Hunter, professional soccer player.
  Bernard Lepkofker, competitive judoka 
  George Poffenbarger, justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.
  Tom Spencer, retired Major League Baseball outfielder
  Robert M. Switzer, former U.S. Representative from Ohio.
  
  References
  
  External links 
  
   
   Official athletics website
  
   
  Buildings and structures in Gallia County, Ohio
  Education in Gallia County, Ohio
  Private universities and colleges in Ohio
  Free Will Baptist schools