Athletics

THE DAWN OF a new era can bring uncertainties that limit those who are unprepared. Those who are prepared can quickly exceed expectations despite the uncertainties.

When The University of Texas at Tyler was officially accepted as a full-fledged NCAA Division II member on July 9, 2021, the immediate question was whether or not the Patriots could sustain the level of success the department maintained while competing at the NCAA Division III level. The new era of Patriot athletics at the NCAA Division II level would bring challenges, but the Patriots were prepared.

Athletics has immediately shown a strong measure of success at the Division II level that has far exceeded expectations, especially this early in the program’s DII history.

In UT Tyler’s first year of postseason eligibility:

• Softball earned its first trip to the NCAA Division II World Series after finishing the 2022 season as South Central Regional Champions and Division II National Semifinalists. The program was ranked third in the final 2022 NFCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll.

• Baseball participated for the first time in the 2022 Lone Star Conference Tournament.