Leaps and Bounds

Patriots Exceed Expectations As New Competitors In Ncaa Dii

BY RYAN SHUMAKER

• Volleyball made it to the South Central Regional Quarterfinals.

“Patriot Athletics has made a successful transition to Division II,” says Dr. Howard Patterson, vice president for athletics. “The foundation for success was put in place during our successful years in DIII. We can’t wait to continue our young, but rich, tradition of excellence on and off the field.”

A supportive institution, administration, highly skilled coaching staff and a strong professional support staff have made the transition possible. The student athletes’ commitment to their respective programs was evident throughout the transition, and the results have been nothing short of amazing, Patterson continues.

The athletic success that has immediately come to fruition has not been at the expense of academic excellence for the department. Student-athletes have continued to shine in the classroom despite the elevated emphasis on athletic competitiveness the new era Division II landscape has provided for the department.

UT Tyler was the first department within the Lone Star Conference to win both the men’s and women’s version of the LSC Academic Excellence Award in the same season in 2020-21.

• Twelve Patriot athletic programs have claimed Lone Star Conference Team Academic Championships.

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

• 17 different student-athletes have been named to their respective Academic All-Region lists.

• 35 student-athletes have been named to Academic All-Lone Star Conference Teams.

The success both on the field of competition and in the classroom is no accident, as the framework and winning culture that propelled the program to national relevance at the Division III level was already firmly entrenched heading into the Division II era.

UT Tyler sponsors intercollegiate teams in 17 sports, including baseball, softball, volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, cross country and golf. The athletics program helps student-athletes build their bodies and minds while learning to compete with integrity and honor.

UT Tyler was prepared for the new era, and the future is bright for the program. Go Patriots!