TYLER, TEXAS – The University of Texas at Tyler has been accepted as a full member of NCAA Division II, as determined by the NCAA Division II Membership Committee and Management Council.
 
"This is a great moment in the history of UT Tyler Athletics," UT Tyler President Dr. Kirk A. Calhoun said. "I want to recognize the coaches and student-athletes for their outstanding performances during our provisional period, and none of this would have been possible without the incredible leadership of Dr. Howard Patterson."
 
The Patriots began the process in the 2018-19 school year where they spent two years in the Candidacy Year phase and spent the last year in the Provisional Phase. UT Tyler has competed as a transitional member of the Lone Star Conference the past two years, but was ineligible for select conference championships and all NCAA postseason competition. The Patriots will enter full NCAA Division II membership Sept. 1 and will be eligible for Lone Star Conference and NCAA postseasons.
 
"The Division II transition process was extensive," Vice President for Athletics Dr. Howard Patterson said. "The transition involved active participation by many people and departments, from the President, faculty, business operations, financial aid, admissions, international affairs, student success as well as a full court press by athletics. We submitted a strategic plan, operations and compliance manuals, and annual reports. The NCAA conducted a site visit and two COVID restricted Zoom visits with in-depth reviews and interviews with participants across campus. We came through with flying colors! A special thanks to Assistant AD Stefani Webb, who serves as the women's soccer coach and Senior Women's Administrator, and James Bonnette, Assistant AD for Compliance.  James has constantly worked with the staff on rules education, compliance and operations and Stefani had worked tirelessly on enhancing the student-athlete experience."
 
The Lone Star Conference has 18 member schools located in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and New Mexico. These schools include: Angelo State University (San Angelo, Texas), Cameron University (Lawton, Okla.), Dallas Baptist University (Dallas, Texas), Eastern New Mexico University (Portales, N.M.), Lubbock Christian University (Lubbock, Texas), Midwestern State University (Wichita Falls, Texas), Oklahoma Christian University (Oklahoma City, Okla.), St. Edward's University (Austin, Texas), St. Mary's University (San Antonio, Texas), Texas A&M International University (Laredo, Texas), Texas A&M-Commerce (Commerce, Texas), Texas A&M-Kingsville (Kingsville, Texas), Texas Woman's University (Denton, Texas), UAFS (Fort Smith, Ark.), UT Permian Basin (Odessa, Texas), West Texas A&M University (Canyon, Texas) and Western New Mexico University (Silver City, N.M.).
 
"The Lone Star Conference is arguably the premiere Division II conference in the United States," Patterson said. "It is the largest conference geographically and has highly successful athletic credentials. Member institutions regularly win national championships. We plan on being among them!"
 
UT Tyler has continued to expand upon it's history of athletic and academic success despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic throughout the three-year transition from NCAA Division III to NCAA Division II. The Patriots have already claimed a pair of regular season Lone Star Conference Championships in men's tennis and softball and had four coaches recognized as Lone Star Conference Coaches of the Year in their respective sports.
 
The Patriots had 45 student-athletes recognized as All-Lone Star Conference selections in 2020-21 and claimed both the Men's and Women's Academic Excellence Awards from the LSC, becoming the first institution to win the award outright on both sides in the same season. Nine UT Tyler programs were named Academic Champions for their respective sports in 2020-21 and three UT Tyler student-athletes receive an All-American designation.
 
UT Tyler claimed seven NCAA Division III National Championships after receiving full Division III membership status in 2007, and won a total of 149 American Southwest Conference Championships during the institution's time as a Division III member. The Patriots are set to compete in 18 intercollegiate and varsity programs as Division II members.
 
"I want to especially thank our student-athletes," Patterson said. "I am so very proud of how they represent UT Tyler and we should all be proud of how UT Tyler Athletics has evolved with a focus on the academic achievement, character, competitiveness, and grit. I am excited about the future of Patriot Athletics and thank the NCAA Division II Membership Committee for its decision to allow us to become full Division II members. We are ready to continue to compete and succeed in the classroom and on the field."