Lone Star Conference

Lone Star Conference
Name	Lone Star Conference
Established	1931
Association	NCAA
Division	NCAA Division II
Members	18
Sports	18
Region	South Central United States
Headquarters	Richardson, Texas
Commissioner	Jay Poerner

Lone Star Conference. The Lone Star Conference is a collegiate athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division II, operating primarily in the South Central United States. Founded in 1931, it is one of the oldest athletic conferences in the western United States and currently comprises 18 member institutions from the states of Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. The conference sponsors 18 championship sports and is headquartered in Richardson, Texas, under the leadership of Commissioner Jay Poerner.

History

The conference was established in 1931 by a group of schools including Abilene Christian University, McMurry University, and Hardin–Simmons University, initially competing in the NAIA. It transitioned to the NCAA in the early 1980s, achieving Division II status, a move that coincided with the departure of several founding members to Division I. Key historical moments include the 1996 expansion that added institutions like Texas A&M University–Commerce and the 2019 merger with the Heartland Conference, which significantly reshaped its membership footprint across Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. The league's office relocated from Waco, Texas to its current home in Richardson, Texas in 2007.

Member institutions

The conference currently has 18 full member institutions, with a core geographic presence in Texas. Full members include Angelo State University, Dallas Baptist University, Lubbock Christian University, St. Edward's University, St. Mary's University (Texas), Texas A&M International University, Texas A&M University–Kingsville, University of Arkansas–Fort Smith, and West Texas A&M University. Additional members are University of Texas at Tyler, University of Texas Permian Basin, Midwestern State University, Oklahoma Christian University, University of Texas of the Permian Basin, and Western New Mexico University. The conference also maintains affiliate memberships in specific sports with schools like University of Colorado Colorado Springs and University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Sports sponsored

The conference sponsors championship competition in nine men's and nine women's sports. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, track and field, and wrestling. Women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling. Notably, it is one of the few Division II conferences to sponsor wrestling for both genders. Championship events are held at various campus venues, including the Foster Field for baseball and the First United Bank Center for basketball.

Conference facilities

Member institutions feature prominent athletic venues that host conference championships and events. Notable facilities include Buffalo Stadium at West Texas A&M University, Memorial Stadium (Texas A&M–Commerce) for football, and the Junell Center at Angelo State University. Other key sites are the Rip Griffin Center at Lubbock Christian University, the Recreation and Convocation Center at University of Texas at Tyler, and the Kingsville Hampton Inn Court at Texas A&M University–Kingsville. The Dallas Baptist University baseball team plays at the historic Horner Ballpark.

Championships

The conference awards team and individual championships across all sponsored sports, with winners often advancing to NCAA Division II national tournaments. Historically dominant programs include the West Texas A&M University women's basketball team, the Angelo State University baseball program, and the Texas A&M University–Kingsville football team, which has won multiple national titles. Recent championship events have been held at venues like the Oklahoma City Sports Complex for softball and the Arlington Tennis Center. The conference also recognizes annual award winners such as the Player of the Year and Coach of the Year.

Notable alumni

The conference has produced numerous alumni who have achieved prominence in professional sports, coaching, and other fields. Notable athletes include John Randle, a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee from Texas A&M University–Kingsville, and Zach Thomas, a longtime Miami Dolphins linebacker. Other distinguished alumni are basketball coach Bill Blakeley, baseball player Keith Hernandez, and track star Michael Johnson. The conference also counts former NBA player Larry Johnson and Olympic medalist Darvis Patton among its former student-athletes.

Category:NCAA Division II conferences Category:College athletic conferences in the United States Category:Organizations based in Texas Category:1931 establishments in Texas