US EditionUniversity of West Florida Making Move to NCAA Division 1, Joining ASUN and Newly Formed UAC
UWF will pay a $2 million NCAA application fee and spend three years in reclassification before becoming postseason eligible in 2029.
- On Thursday, the University of West Florida officially announced its transition to NCAA Division I beginning in Fall 2026, joining the Atlantic Sun Conference for most sports and the United Athletic Conference for football.
- During the three-year reclassification period, UWF will compete at the Division I level but cannot qualify for NCAA postseason play until 2029, though remaining eligible for ASUN and UAC conference championships.
- University officials are finalizing a $2 million application fee due by June 1, while launching fundraising efforts to support increased costs; President Manny Diaz noted the goal is to get the "revenue engine" revving.
- Consortium Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bacon welcomed UWF to the alliance, which reaches nearly 40 million people across the Southeastern United States and supports collaborative scheduling and expanded competition opportunities.
- Athletic Director Dave Scott acknowledged ongoing stadium renovations will help the school transition to Division I, stating, "We're going to continue to look at our facilities and try to look at what's in the new league.
14 Articles
14 Articles
University of West Florida making move to NCAA Division 1, joining ASUN and newly formed UAC
The University of West Florida is making the move to the NCAA Division I level this year and joining the Jacksonville-based Atlantic Sun Conference as a multi-sport member.
Associated Press News
West Florida will move up to Division I and join UAC for football and Atlantic Sun for other sports
West Florida will begin the transition from NCAA Division II to Division I on July 1 and compete in the United Athletic Conference in football and the Atlantic Sun Conference in other sports.
'What a historic day': UWF sports teams are heading to Division I
The Argos are going to Division I. The University of West Florida confirmed their teams are leaving Division II, with the football team playing this upcoming season in the United Athletic Conference (UAC) and all other sports moving into the Atlantic Sun (ASUN) Conference. “What a historic day,” said UWF President Manny Diaz Jr. at a news conference after university Trustees unanimously approved the change. “Today marks an important milestone fo…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
