NCAA Approves Comet Sports’ Move To Division II, New Conference

The University of Texas at Dallas has been accepted as an NCAA Division II provisional member as announced by the NCAA Division II Membership Committee and Management Council on Thursday, July 11.

The Comets began the process of transition in the summer of 2023 after being invited to join the Lone Star Conference (LSC) last July. They will start an expedited, two-year transition process with the goal of being a full Division II member on Sept. 1, 2026.

UT Dallas wrapped its final season of Division III and American Southwest Conference (ASC) competition in May after a 26-year run, encompassing the program's entire history since 1998. The Comets won five ASC championships last season, the most of any ASC institution.

"Changing NCAA athletics classification reflects our continued rise in size and stature as a university," said UT Dallas President Richard C. Benson, Eugene McDermott Distinguished University Chair of Leadership. "We're thrilled to be accepted into the Lone Star Conference, one of the most highly regarded Division II athletic conferences in the country."

In 2024-25, the Comets will compete as an independent and have a scheduling alliance with the remaining ASC institutions. UTD will be eligible for all ASC awards and honors, but its records will not count in the standings. UTD also will be counted as a D-III in-region opponent, per an NCAA-approved waiver. UT Dallas will begin full LSC competition in the fall of 2025.

"This is a historic day in the history of UT Dallas and UTD athletics. We are delighted to be joining the esteemed ranks of NCAA Division II and the Lone Star Conference," said Angela Marin, UTD's director of athletics. "Being accepted into the expedited process means we can compete for NCAA championships sooner than expected. This is a great benefit to our coaches and student-athletes."

Marin noted that the LSC, which has deep roots in Texas dating to 1931, is regarded as an elite Division II conference with 81 NCAA team national championships in the past 41 years.

"The LSC's core values of competitive and academic excellence, student-athlete well-being, respect, leadership-building and community service align with ours at UT Dallas," she said. "It is an opportunity to build new rivalries and rekindle old ones with programs with rich athletic traditions."

The 17 LSC member institutions span three states - 13 in Texas, with the remaining four in Oklahoma and New Mexico. This includes Angelo State University, Cameron University, Dallas Baptist University, Eastern New Mexico University, Lubbock Christian University, Midwestern State University, Oklahoma Christian University, St. Edward's University, St. Mary's University, Sul Ross State University, Texas A&M International University, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Texas Woman's University, UT Permian Basin, UT Tyler, West Texas A&M University and Western New Mexico University.

Designated as such since 1973, NCAA D-II provides a level of competition bridging Division I and the scholarship-prohibited Division III. D-II is home to 300 members across the 50 states, plus Puerto Rico and Canada.

UT Dallas won 49 ASC team titles and garnered 49 Division III All-Americans.