Texas A&M- Texarkana transitioning to D2 for 2027

[Mavchamp]

Cory Hogue is reporting to Dave Campbell's Texas football that A&M Texarkana is most interested in the GAC.

The MIAA would be their second choice and the Lone Star would be #3.

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I have to be honest in saying I know absolutely nothing about the MIAA....and I'm still new to table learning about the ins and outs of the GAC and the LSC......

But the MIAA seems like a geographical stretch...... would they even be interested???

The fact that the LSC is their #3 choice.....tells me the financials of the LSC are concerning to not only them....but anyone looking to join. Not just A&M Texarkana, but UMHB, Hardin Simmons, or ETBU.

[Finchwidget]

I have to be honest in saying I know absolutely nothing about the MIAA....and I'm still new to table learning about the ins and outs of the GAC and the LSC......

But the MIAA seems like a geographical stretch...... would they even be interested???

The MIAA commissioner has been pretty vocal about wanting the conference to expand in recent years, so I can see how there could be interest there. I'm not sure if Texas A&M-Texarkana is the type of institution the MIAA is looking to attract, though

[ctrabs74]

Cory Hogue is reporting to Dave Campbell's Texas football that A&M Texarkana is most interested in the GAC.

The MIAA would be their second choice and the Lone Star would be #3.

-----------------------
I have to be honest in saying I know absolutely nothing about the MIAA....and I'm still new to table learning about the ins and outs of the GAC and the LSC......

But the MIAA seems like a geographical stretch...... would they even be interested???

The fact that the LSC is their #3 choice.....tells me the financials of the LSC are concerning to not only them....but anyone looking to join. Not just A&M Texarkana, but UMHB, Hardin Simmons, or ETBU.

Imagine the road trips to from Texarkana to Portales or Laredo... that might be more of a concern for TAMU-T than what the LSC might be going through.

[cwfenn]

Cory Hogue is reporting to Dave Campbell's Texas football that A&M Texarkana is most interested in the GAC.

The MIAA would be their second choice and the Lone Star would be #3.

-----------------------
I have to be honest in saying I know absolutely nothing about the MIAA....and I'm still new to table learning about the ins and outs of the GAC and the LSC......

But the MIAA seems like a geographical stretch...... would they even be interested???

The fact that the LSC is their #3 choice.....tells me the financials of the LSC are concerning to not only them....but anyone looking to join. Not just A&M Texarkana, but UMHB, Hardin Simmons, or ETBU.

Looks like UMHB’s conference is going to get bigger:

https://www.texasfootball.com/articl..._preview_title

[Mavchamp]

Looks like UMHB’s conference is going to get bigger:

https://www.texasfootball.com/articl..._preview_title

HUGE NEWS.

It sounds like the "Baptist Four" coughed up some money to get McMurry and Schreiner to come to the ASC. I'm hearing in the $1M range for each.

Makes you wonder how long they agreed to stay for X amount.......

The AQ is now sealed up for the conference beyond the 2025-26 season now.

And after all the nastiness of the SCAC..... they find themselves with only 4 full time football members and 1 football affiliate. They had planned on earning an AQ in 2026.... that's all uncertain now.

Not to mention..... the remaining SCAC may be rethinking things. Particularly Centenary..... being so close to ETBU. As well as Lyon and Hendrix.... so close to both ETBU and Centenary.

They will all have to make peace with playing the "Purple Schools".

Kind of leaves Austin College and Texas Lutheran out in the cold.

All this to say....... all the D2 talk for UMHB, HSU, and ETBU may be hold....at least temporarily until the next shift.

I'm willing to bet all three will be better prepared next time around. They got caught with their pants down this time. Hopefully they have learned their lesson.

I'll admit....I was kind of stoked at the possibility of moving up to D2. But I think D3 is where ETBU needs to be for the time being.

[Buffalo/Islander Alum]

The MIAA commissioner has been pretty vocal about wanting the conference to expand in recent years, so I can see how there could be interest there. I'm not sure if Texas A&M-Texarkana is the type of institution the MIAA is looking to attract, though

Little late to the party given the developments of the ASC expansion news.

Texarkana would get smashed 24/7 in the MIAA in pretty much all sports. I dont think they would want to add another Northeastern State type school again to the party. The GAC would be the best option for them and its not even close. If backed into a corner and the LSC accepted them, that would be the second best option.

[OldBison]

Yep. Looks like with ASC stabilizing all the talk about ETBU, UMHB and AM -Tex moving up is on hold. I think for now if AM- Tex adds football their best bet is to see if they can compete in NAIA or D3 before considering the GAC. I still think UMHB and Hardin- Simmons could compete in the LSC someday if they could afford it. Unless the Oklahoma GAC schools leave I don’t see anything changing in GAC football for the next 5-6 years.

[Mavchamp]

Yep. Looks like with ASC stabilizing all the talk about ETBU, UMHB and AM -Tex moving up is on hold. I think for now if AM- Tex adds football their best bet is to see if they can compete in NAIA or D3 before considering the GAC. I still think UMHB and Hardin- Simmons could compete in the LSC someday if they could afford it. Unless the Oklahoma GAC schools leave I don’t see anything changing in GAC football for the next 5-6 years.

I think this is a band-aid for a gaping wound.

This buys the ASC a couple of seasons....maybe.

Come 2027 or 2028..... I think we will once again be talking about UMHB and HSU going to D2 or FCS. People will be fleeing the Purple Schools again. They will be looking for a conference again.

The D3 future for HPU and ETBU will boil down to the other D3 Texas schools' willingness to take them wherever they go...be it the SCAC or another conference. If they aren't willing to take them.... I think talk of HPU going NAIA returns and ETBU going NAIA or moving up to D2 and the GAC talk returns.

The difference is that everyone has 2-3 years to get prepared for the next implosion.

With the Pacific Northwest schools likely about to be kicked out of the LSC...... they will be looking for members. HSU? UMHB?

With all the Oklahoma schools possibly forming a single Oklahoma D2 conference.... the GAC will be looking for members. ETBU? A&M Texarkana?

Not a matter of IF.....it's a matter of WHEN.

[Mavchamp]

https://ascsports.org/news/2025/3/18...expansion.aspx

The ASC announced that the deal with Schreiner and McMurry is for TEN YEARS.

If the SCAC doesn't get their #6 for the AQ in a HURRY..... I'm willing to bet Hendrix and Lyon will jet.

Centenary might already be thinking it.

That leaves Austin College and TLU in the cold.

Looks like the the ASC schools that were eyeballing D2 may stand pat for the time being.

[Buffalo/Islander Alum]

I think this is a band-aid for a gaping wound.

This buys the ASC a couple of seasons....maybe.

Come 2027 or 2028..... I think we will once again be talking about UMHB and HSU going to D2 or FCS. People will be fleeing the Purple Schools again. They will be looking for a conference again.

The D3 future for HPU and ETBU will boil down to the other D3 Texas schools' willingness to take them wherever they go...be it the SCAC or another conference. If they aren't willing to take them.... I think talk of HPU going NAIA returns and ETBU going NAIA or moving up to D2 and the GAC talk returns.

The difference is that everyone has 2-3 years to get prepared for the next implosion.

With the Pacific Northwest schools likely about to be kicked out of the LSC...... they will be looking for members. HSU? UMHB?

With all the Oklahoma schools possibly forming a single Oklahoma D2 conference.... the GAC will be looking for members. ETBU? A&M Texarkana?

Not a matter of IF.....it's a matter of WHEN.

The LSC isnt going to kick them out unless there are 2-3 worthy schools that are able to compete. McMurry and Panhandle State tried the LSC last decade and failed miserably. The jury is still out on Sul Ross but so far they are struggling big time. Central Washington and Western Oregon arent ideal but its mutual to keep the LSC going. If anything those schools would likely wave the white flag and move up, down, independent, etc. before the LSC kicks them out and now with this news it looks less likely.

The LSC is unstable from top to bottom. All it takes is for Angelo State, Midwestern State, UTPB, etc. or any combo to announce they are moving to the WAC/Southland and then they are in a world of hurt the other direction. Having 4 schools leave the last 10 years is why they have Western New Mexico, Sul Ross, Central Washington, Western Oregon and Simon Fraser (for a time) in the conference for football to keep from going belly up.