Sul Ross State, UT Dallas Approved for Full NCAA Division II Membership

RICHARDSON, TX — The Lone Star Conference announced on Monday that Sul Ross State University and the University of Texas at Dallas will become active NCAA Division II members on September 1, 2026, after receiving approval from the NCAA Division II Membership Committee.

The committee approved both institutions for active membership on July 9 following the successful completion of their transitions from NCAA Division III. Beginning with the 2026-27 academic year, both schools will be fully eligible for Division II championships, grant funding and NCAA programming.

Sul Ross State officially joined the Lone Star Conference on July 1, 2024, after beginning its transition to Division II in September 2023. All 12 Lobos athletic programs have competed in the LSC since the 2024-25 season.

UT Dallas officially became a member of the LSC on July 1, 2025, with its 17 athletic programs beginning conference competition during the 2025-26 academic year. The Comets began their transition from Division III to Division II in September 2024.

With active Division II status, both Sul Ross State and UT Dallas are now eligible for Lone Star Conference tournaments, individual and team conference awards, regular-season and tournament championships, and participation in conference governance.

The additions bring the Lone Star Conference to 18 full-time NCAA Division II member institutions for the 2026-27 academic year.