West Florida moving to D1

[West Florida]

The University of West Florida (UWF) is set to move its athletic program from NCAA Division II to Division I (FCS), with reports indicating the move will be officially announced to take effect for the 2026 season. The Argonauts are expected to join the United Athletic Conference (UAC) for football and the ASUN for other sports.

Football is expected to join the UAC, while other sports move to the ASUN.

The NCAA requires a three-year reclassification process, during which UWF would be ineligible for Division I championships.

[pm2011]

So, Newberry is the last team to beat them in d2? Nice.

[gsutiger1993]

Not a total surprise there. In my opinion, what took them so long. They should have moved up a while ago. The GSC is dead as a conference with only 4 football playing teams, now three.

[Mulerider]

I would like to see Delta State in the GAC. As well as Mississippi College and have them bring back football.

[zimmy21]

The University of West Florida (UWF) is set to move its athletic program from NCAA Division II to Division I (FCS), with reports indicating the move will be officially announced to take effect for the 2026 season. The Argonauts are expected to join the United Athletic Conference (UAC) for football and the ASUN for other sports.

Football is expected to join the UAC, while other sports move to the ASUN.

The NCAA requires a three-year reclassification process, during which UWF would be ineligible for Division I championships.

I'm surprised it would not be moving to UAC solely. That was meant to be the "All-Sports" side of that consortium.

[Buffalo/Islander Alum]

I could understand if they were being proactive until 2027 but this is a $hitty move to do this less than 5 months before the 2026 football season and leave mostly the CC teams, GSC, and an independent like NE State scrambling to schedule enough games to be D2 playoff eligible.

[champgymusa]

The University of West Florida (UWF) is set to move its athletic program from NCAA Division II to Division I (FCS), with reports indicating the move will be officially announced to take effect for the 2026 season. The Argonauts are expected to join the United Athletic Conference (UAC) for football and the ASUN for other sports.

Football is expected to join the UAC, while other sports move to the ASUN.

The NCAA requires a three-year reclassification process, during which UWF would be ineligible for Division I championships.

Anyone know what other sports will get the axe? Usually happens this way.

[zimmy21]

I could understand if they were being proactive until 2027 but this is a $hitty move to do this less than 5 months before the 2026 football season and leave mostly the CC teams, GSC, and an independent like NE State scrambling to schedule enough games to be D2 playoff eligible.

I get it is ****ty, but it's not necessarily their problem unless there was a contract/money involved.

[zimmy21]

Anyone know what other sports will get the axe? Usually happens this way.

They don't really have that many excess sports...so maybe Men's Soccer and Tennis? But I think they will try to keep it for awhile

[cwfenn]

I could understand if they were being proactive until 2027 but this is a $hitty move to do this less than 5 months before the 2026 football season and leave mostly the CC teams, GSC, and an independent like NE State scrambling to schedule enough games to be D2 playoff eligible.

Compared to what the NEC has done recently, West Florida is actually giving everyone an eternity to figure out their schedules. Seriously, though, this is a tough thing for a lot of teams.

[Eagle74]

If the change is made, I'm pretty sure West Florida will be loading their program with D1 transfers ASAP. This move will probably disappoint a lot of existing Argo players.

[IUPNation]

If the change is made, I'm pretty sure West Florida will be loading their program with D1 transfers ASAP. This move will probably disappoint a lot of existing Argo players.

They can transfer to IUP.

[Argonut]

I attended the news conference in the field house today and checked out the football stadium construction.

The visitors side temporary bleachers are taken apart and waiting to be removed and digging on the visitors side has commenced. The home bleachers are still standing. It looks like the plan is to finish the visitors side for this season’s use.

There was a good crowd of a few hundred in the field house for the announcement where they showed a short video of the success of UWF and the move to the ASUN and UAC. The UWF president and athletic director made remarks before the ASUN commissioner welcomed UWF to the conference. The three took questions from the media before closing the presentation on a very nicely appointed temporary stage. Confetti from the ceiling finished the program before school and conference officials, students, athletes, alumni, media, community officials and members.

The board of trustees voted unanimously to approve the move and all the current sports will transfer beginning play in the fall of 2026. The Argos are immediately eligible for conference titles just not NCAA titles. The UAC football schedule will be released later today with non conference games a mix of old and new teams per Argo AD. Very excited and enthusiastic crowd with at least one major alumnus writing a big check for the president.

Its a new day in the Argo sunshine. Gooo Arrrgggooosss!!!!

[SW_Mustang]

If the change is made, I'm pretty sure West Florida will be loading their program with D1 transfers ASAP. This move will probably disappoint a lot of existing Argo players.

We'll take 'em at Southwest. A bit more cold than Pensacola but oh well.