ATHLETICS
UAFS to switch conferences
The University of Arkansas at Fort Smith announced Wednesday it will move to the Lone Star Conference beginning in 2019.
The conference’s council of presidents voted unanimously this summer to offer full membership to current Heartland Conference members UAFS, Dallas Baptist, Lubbock Christian, Oklahoma Christian, Rogers State, St. Edward’s, St. Mary’s and Texas A&M International. All of the schools accepted the invitation.
UAFS, which is beginning its ninth season as a member of NCAA Division II, joined the Heartland in 2009. It will continue to compete in the Heartland for the next two seasons.
With the addition of the eight Heartland schools, the Lone Star now boasts its largest membership in its 86-year history with 19 members. The conference will become the largest in NCAA Division II.
Other schools in the conference are Angelo State, Cameron, Eastern New Mexico, Midwestern State, Tarleton State, Texas A&M-Commerce, Texas A&M-Kingsville, Texas Woman’s University, Texas Permian Basin, West Texas A&M and Western New Mexico.