The Lowman Rifles started in 1952 when Sam Houston State University was known as Sam Houston State Teachers College. The Lowman Rifles ended in 1986 when the university was known as Sam Houston State College.

On June 11, 1952 the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) was establised at what was then known as Sam Houston State Teachers College. ROTC was a required program for all male freshman and sophomores until Fall 1965. Soon after its establisment, an honorary drill organization know as the Lowman Rifles was formed. Named after the current president Dr. Harmon Lowman. The purpose of the Lowman Rifles was showmanship and precision drill. The Lowman Rifles Drill Team used M-1 rifles and later changed to using Springfield 1903 rifles.

In their first year the Lowman Rifles Drill Team marched in parades in Huntsville such as the Pioneer Roundup Parade, Sam Houston State Teachers College Homecoming Parade, and the Walker County Fair Parade. Later on in the year they marched in the King Rex Mardi Gras Parade in New Oreleans and the Battle of the Flowers Parade in San Antonio. The drill team also competited in several drill competitions against other university ROTC programs throughout their establisment.

In 1974 women were able to join ROTC and a few became members of the Lowman Rifles Drill Team.

The ROTC program was housed in the Austin College Building. The burning of Old Main on February 12, 1982 caused the Austin College building to catch on fire. Unlike Old Main, Austin College was saved, but the fire destroyed many of the Lowman Rifles' tropies, artifacts, and records. The ROTC program was then housed in the Criminal Justic Center and later the Randle House and finally in 1986 moved to the former Men's Gymnasium (Academic Building 3) where the program is located today.