The Southwest Preparatory Conference Proudly Announces the Return of Saint Mary's Hall as a Member

The Southwest Preparatory Conference (SPC) proudly announces that the Saint Mary’s Hall Barons will return to the SPC as members, reviving a longstanding and meaningful partnership built on mutual values and a shared pursuit of competitive and athletic excellence.
 
“We are delighted to rejoin the SPC and continue the competitive partnership we built during our five decades of affiliation,” said Len Miller, Head of School for Saint Mary’s Hall. “SPC members share a standard of excellence and strong values, and a commitment to building student-athletes, that aligns well with our School mission.”
 
After his visit to SMH as a part of the SPC Operations Committee, Chris Gunnin, Head of School at St. Stephen’s in Austin and Past Chair of the SPC Board of Directors, said, “I’m fortunate to have been associated with the SPC since 1986, and I remember the years, not long ago, when SMH was a positive, contributing, and successful member school within the SPC. St. Mary’s Hall, like all SPC schools, is committed to inspiring its students to becoming productive, engaged citizens who make a positive impact on the world. And, the School is deeply committed to using its athletic program as part of a larger character development program. SMH promotes athletics because it believes that some of the most important foundational lessons about being a good citizen and a good human are often learned first on the playing fields.” 
 
SMH was officially welcomed back into the SPC by a unanimous vote of the SPC Board of Directors after undergoing a comprehensive evaluation and campus visit by the SPC Operations Committee that considered School leadership, athletic infrastructure, and alignment with SPC values. During their visit, SPC representatives engaged with faculty, families, coaches, and students, confirming the strong alignment between SMH and SPC members. 
 
“The SPC is excited to bring Saint Mary’s Hall back to our conference,” said Bob Windham, Commissioner of the SPC and former Head of School for SMH. “We feel this move is a win for both the SPC and SMH. We look forward to SMH joining the other 17 SPC schools in the fall of 2026.”
 
“Saint Mary's Hall enjoyed such a long, rich history in the Southwest Preparatory Conference,” added Dan Alig, Headmaster of Saint John’s School and Chair of SPC’s Board of Directors.  “We're excited to welcome the Barons back and look forward to the many years of competition and friendship ahead.”
 
SMH will compete in SPC Athletics beginning in the 2026-27 school year as part of the 3A classification. Until then, the Barons will continue to compete in TAPPS 5A for the 2025-26 season.  TMI Episcopal will also rejoin the SPC, marking a renewed chapter of collaboration among two of San Antonio’s leading independent schools.
 
“Rejoining the Southwest Preparatory Conference is more than a new chapter, it’s a homecoming. It’s a return to shared traditions, familiar rivalries, and a community that values excellence. Our ambition for our athletics programming and our opportunities ahead will be bolstered through strong SPC School partnerships,” said Josh Baker, Athletic Director for SMH.
 
The Saint Mary’s Hall Barons boast 22 Upper School Teams with over 173 student-athletes competing yearly. The Baron’s first joined the SPC in 1970’s and were members until 2016. They have spent the last decade competing in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools. SMH officially returns to the SPC for the 2026-2027 School year. 
 
For more information about the Southwest Preparatory Conference, visit www.spcsports.org.