“I think that it’s long overdue,” said baseball head coach Travis Graves. “I think if you look at the size of our university, the academics of our university, it’s probably aligned with Division I. I believe in Division III, we were top five in size, and we’re still top five in Division II.”
UT Dallas has had the size, facilities and staff to become a Division II school for years now, according to Graves. But being “independent,” or not a part of a conference, made game scheduling more difficult. As a result, teams had to travel farther and more frequently to find opponents willing to play them. Schools that are part of a conference also have more credibility and reach which helps in recruiting high school athletes. Conferences also have deals with television networks, giving their athletes more exposure. When the Lone Star Conference reached out and invited the university, Athletic Director Angela Marin – with the support of all the coaches – made the decision to join.
Despite the increase in quality of competition, UT Dallas’ athletic programs continue to perform at the same high standard, with many teams improving upon their records from Division III. Men’s soccer, led by head coach Jason Hirsch, went from a nine-win season to 10 wins in its first year in Division II level. Last year, the team posted an impressive 13-1 record. Men’s baseball went from a 30-14 to a 32-6 record after their first year playing in Division II, and women’s softball went from a 17-20 to an 18-20 record after their jump in divisions.
“I think that we fit quite nicely at the Division II level,” Hirsch said. “University and leadership has done a great job to support athletics and help our game go to a better place.”
The jump in divisions has also put a lot of pressure on the student-athletes. In addition to support for the athletes that UT Dallas administers, coaches teach players how to handle themselves on and off the field.
“I want them to be a better person than when they got here. I want them to understand what accountability is, what hard work is. I want them to know that baseball is the greatest life-lesson teacher out there. It’s a game of failure and how you respond to that says a lot about your character,” said Graves.
Another way that UT Dallas has supported its athletes is through the addition of The SPACE room. The Student Athlete Preparation for Competitive and Academic Excellence room serves as an area for UT Dallas athletes to work, study and meet with coaches.
Another way UT Dallas has supported its students has been through the addition of the SPACE room, which stands for Student Athlete Preparation for Competitive and Academic Excellence. “We’ve made a mastery lounge that doubles as a study area for them [athletes]. It also has conference rooms for coaches to meet with their team,” Marin said.
When moving divisions, the university had to invest more heavily into athletics. While Division III schools can offer only academic or need-based financial aid, Division II schools are allowed to award athletic scholarships for their athletes.
In addition to scholarships, Division II athletes face stricter academic requirements. While Division III schools can set their own academic standard, Division II programs must meet NCAA benchmarks for grade-point average, credit hours and progress toward a degree in order for athletes to remain eligible to compete. All of this data must be reported to the NCAA.
While this increase in athletic and academic demands might worry some, Comets basketball player William Warren is unfazed. “This is pretty much what I expected for college sports,” Warren said. “To be honest, I don’t really miss out on too much but things could definitely ramp up in the future.”
Historically, UT Dallas hasn’t been a sports campus. Founded as a graduate research center for Texas Instruments, there has been increasing emphasis on its athletic programs over time. Athletics give students something to rally behind – building traditions, boosting school spirit and creating excitement on campus. Nevertheless, women’s softball coach Casey Dickinson still notices many empty seats at games.
“I know the school does a lot for us and it’s a huge investment. The only thing better than what the school has done for us is for the students to come out and support too. If the students can come to our games, that is better than having a brand new field. Like having more students really getting involved and coming and being fans. Having more fans in the stadium helps you win, right?” Dickinson said.
Sports remain an essential part of the college experience and are crucial to keeping students happy, entertained and full of spirit. They also bring alumni back to the school and give students another way to engage with their community.
“I think that’s the cool part about sports. If you’re playing or you’re just a fan, it’s being part of something bigger than yourself,” said Dickinson.
As UT Dallas settles into Division II, the move reflects the university’s growth and commitment to its student-athletes. From offering scholarships to meeting stricter academic standards, the Comets are stepping up both on the field and in the classroom. For students, faculty and fans alike, the transition has brought new energy, pride, and traditions to campus life, proving that UT Dallas’ athletic programs are now a central part of the university experience.
