Texas State University to join the Pac-12 Conference

Texas State University has officially accepted an invitation to join the Pac-12 Conference, a transformative milestone in the university’s athletic and academic journey.

After receiving a formal invitation for application and subsequent submission, the Pac-12 Board of Directors, including all eight current and future members of the new Pac-12, voted unanimously to admit TXST to the conference effective July 1, 2026.  

TXST, a national research university with more than 40,000 students, joins Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Gonzaga, Oregon State, San Diego State, Utah State and Washington State as nine foundational members of the new Pac-12, with the league’s official launch set for July 1, 2026. The Bobcats will join as a full member of the new Pac-12, participating in all conference sports.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Texas State as a foundational member of the new Pac-12,” said Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould. “It is a new day in college sports and the most opportune time to launch a new league that is positioned to succeed in today’s landscape with student-athletes in mind. Under great leadership from Dr. Kelly Damphousse, Don Coryell and excellent head coaches, Texas State has shown a commitment to competing and winning at the highest level as well as to providing student-athletes with a well-rounded college experience academically, athletically and socially. We look forward to seeing the Bobcats’ future trajectory continue to shine big and bright.”  

“This is a historic moment for TXST and Bobcat Athletics,” said TXST President Kelly Damphousse. “Joining the Pac-12 is more than an athletic move—it is a declaration of our rising national profile, our commitment to excellence, and our readiness to compete and collaborate with some of the most respected institutions in the country. Our acceptance into the Pac-12 affirms the strength of our academic vision, our commitment to providing access to a TXST degree, the momentum of our athletic programs, and the ambition that defines this institution.”

The move will elevate the university’s visibility, strengthen recruitment efforts, enhance student-athlete experiences, and expand alumni engagement across the nation. It also aligns with TXST’s trajectory to become an R1 Carnegie classified university by 2027.  

“Texas State is thrilled to enter a new era in college athletics as the newest member of the Pac-12 Conference. This milestone offers an incredible opportunity to elevate our programs, compete at the highest level, and pursue excellence on a national stage,” said Director of TXST Athletics Don Coryell. “This historic moment belongs to our coaches, staff, student-athletes, fans, alumni, and students, who we thank for making it possible. As the Pac-12’s flagship school in Texas, we proudly embrace the opportunity and responsibility that comes with it. We are grateful to Commissioner Teresa Gould, the Pac-12 leadership, and extend sincere thanks to the Sun Belt Conference for 12 years of partnership and growth. We look forward to tackling new challenges and reaching new heights as a foundational member of the new Pac-12.”

The TXST Bobcats compete in 16 varsity sports at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The program is experiencing an era of unprecedented momentum, driven by strategic investments, competitive success, and a growing national profile. In the past three years, TXST has solidified its place as a rising powerhouse in collegiate athletics, capturing the Sun Belt Conference Commissioner’s Cup three of the last four years and winning back-to-back bowl games.  

TXST’s visibility has soared, with six nationally televised football games in 2024 and consecutive years of record-breaking football attendance, including a 25% increase last season. During the 2024–25 academic year, the Bobcats captured five Sun Belt Conference championships, including: softball (Regular Season Champion), volleyball (Tournament Champion), women’s indoor track and field, women’s outdoor track and field, and men’s outdoor track and field. They finished among the top four in the Sun Belt in women’s soccer, football, men’s indoor track and field, and women’s tennis.

The Bobcats also signed the largest stadium naming rights deal in Group of Five history in 2024—a $23 million partnership with University Federal Credit Union (UFCU)—further amplifying the program’s ascent.

With $149 million invested since 2022 in facilities and athletic infrastructure—including the newly opened $37 million Johnny and Nathali Weisman Football Performance Center—TXST is positioning itself as a national leader in athletic excellence. Looking ahead, an additional $50 million in planned enhancements will support athlete revenue sharing and performance centers across multiple sports.  

Academically, TXST Athletics earned its highest-ever single-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) score in the NCAA’s most recent report with the Bobcats posting a 995 out of 1,000. Within that number, nine programs recorded perfect scores and all teams scored above 980.

“We are not joining the Pac-12 to simply participate; we are joining to compete, contribute and win championships,” Damphousse said. “The Pac-12 has a proud and storied tradition of excellence and TXST is honored to be a foundational member university helping to write the next chapter.”  

For more information or to schedule interviews with President Kelly Damphousse and TXST Athletic Director Don Coryell, contact Lindsey Olsen, Associate Athletic Director.

TXST invites members of the media to celebrate this major milestone in TXST history, Monday, July 7, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. CT. More details will be provided soon.