RICHARDSON, Texas - The University of Texas at Dallas has been accepted as a 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 last July. They will start an expedited, two-year transition process with the goal of being a full Division II member on September 1, 2026.

UTD wrapped its last season of Division III and American Southwest Conference competition in May after a 26-year run, encompassing the program's entire history since 1998. The Comets finished the year with a department leading five ASC Championships, the most out of any ASC institution.

"Changing NCAA athletics classification reflects our continued rise in size and stature as a university," said UT Dallas President Dr. 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 remaining ASC institutions. UTD will also be eligible for all ASC awards and honors but will not count toward the standings. UTD will also count as a D-III in-region opponent, per 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."
 
Schools in the LSC span three states – Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico – and currently has 17 members. The institutions include 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, University of Texas Permian Basin, Texas Woman's University, University of Texas at Tyler, West Texas A&M University and Western New Mexico University. Fellow ASC member Sul Ross State University has also accepted an invitation to join the league. 

The Lone Star Conference is committed to providing an elite competitive athletic environment for its NCAA Division II member institutions and nurturing its student-athletes' academic excellence, ethical and social development, and fostering leadership and community engagement. As the leader in NCAA Division II athletics, the LSC will provide an exemplary competitive experience for its member institutions and will support the holistic development of its student-athletes. The conference was formed in 1931.

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 American Southwest Conference team titles and garnered 49 Division III All-Americans. 

The University of Texas at Dallas, home to more than 31,000 students, is an innovative institution in the heart of North Texas. UT Dallas offers rigorous academic programs, with curricula serving a variety of undergraduate and graduate student interests. With eight schools offering more than 145 undergraduate and graduate programs, plus professional certificates and fast-track programs, UTD also is recognized as an R1 institution — a Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education denoting the top tier of doctoral institutions with very high research activity.

NCAA Release