GROWING
NATIONAL AWARENESS Bigger spirit. Boundless possibilities.
July 1, 2020, marked the start of a new era. Tarleton State University moved to NCAA Division I as the ninth full-time member of the Western Athletic Conference, increasing national recognition for athletes and academic programs.
Thirteen of Tarleton’s 14 sports immediately will compete in the WAC, while the football program will contend as an independent at the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level until fall 2021. Founded in 1962, the WAC crowns team and individual champions in 19 sports — nine men’s and 10 women’s. In addition to Tarleton, the conference comprises California Baptist University, Chicago State University, Dixie State University, Grand Canyon University, New Mexico State University, Seattle University, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and Utah Valley University. Abilene Christian, Lamar, Sam Houston State and Stephen F. Austin will join in 2021, followed by Southern Utah in 2022. Tarleton’s move came at the right time for the right reasons, completing a three-decade trek that began with competition at the non-scholarship level. President James Hurley, right, and WAC Commissioner Jeff Hurd seal the deal to move to NCAA Division I.
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