Texas Wesleyan plans to move to NCAA Division II – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

Texas Wesleyan University is beginning the process of transitioning to NCAA Division II and has an invitation to join the Lone Star Conference.

Texas Wesleyan’s application to move to NCAA Division II is due in October and the Fort Worth-based university said that membership status wouldn’t be expected before winter 2027.

The school expects the move to the Lone Star Conference to bring stronger competition, better regional alignment and expanded national visibility for its 23 varsity programs and 650 student-athletes.

“This invitation reflects our university’s investment in our student-athletes by their coaches, staff and supporters. We are honored to take this next step, and we are ready for it. Competing in the Lone Star Conference means competing among the best in Division II, and that is exactly where Texas Wesleyan belongs,” said Dr. Emily Messer, university president.

TWU competes in 16 of the 17 sports contested in the Lone Star Conference and has plans to add Stunt.

“Our student-athletes have earned this opportunity. We have built the programs, the facilities and the support systems to compete at this level, and our people are excited to test themselves against the best the region has to offer. This is a proud day for Ram athletics and for everyone who helped us get here,” said Ricky Dotson, TWU director of athletics.

The university said that during the 2025-26 academic year, the university’s athletic program recorded 11 conference championship titles across teams and individuals, 14 teams and individuals took part in postseason play, 12 teams were in the NAIA national tournament, 3 earned national championship titles, there were 14 All-America honorees and 15 teams earned scholar team status.

The Richardson-based Lone Star Conference was founded in 1931 and includes members from Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. The University of Texas at Dallas was the latest addition to the conference, with the Comets becoming members on July 1, 2025, with competition beginning in the 2025-26 seasons.

The current roster of members in the Lone Star Conference includes Angleo State, 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, The University of Texas at Dallas, The University of Texas Permian Basin, The University of Texas at Tyler, West Texas A&M University, Western New Mexico University.