In November 2010, USARFU's college management committee set out a plan for transitioning universities to NCAA style conferences.

[4] The ACRL was formed to improve rugby in the Atlantic Coast universities by capitalizing on traditional ACC rivalries, increasing the number of fans, attracting talented high school rugby players, and playing other regional schools, which would both reduce travel and create more competitive matchups with traditional college rivalries.

The ACRL announced in February 2011, before it had even begun its inaugural season, that it has partnered with Adidas as its corporate sponsor.

[7] Maryland won the 2011 inaugural ACRL, defeating North Carolina 39–32 in the title match held at Charlotte RFC.

Maryland repeated as champion, despite the loss early in the season of Matias Cima, their flyhalf and 2011 ACRL co-player of the year.

[13] The ACI was switched to a 7s tournament this season in response to 7s becoming an Olympic sport and in the wake of the success of the Collegiate Rugby Championship which was broadcast live by NBC.

[14] Beginning in 2011, the winner of the Atlantic Coast Invitational has advanced to the USA Rugby National Championship.