The University of West Florida is heading to NCAA Division I.
- UWF announced Thursday morning that it will transition its athletics programs to Division I beginning in Fall 2026, joining the Atlantic Sun Conference as a full multi-sport member and the United Athletic Conference as a football-playing member.
“Our transition to Division I marks a historic step forward for UWF and reflects the momentum, ambition and excellence that define our community,” UWF President Manny Diaz Jr. said. “This milestone is about more than athletics — it represents expanded opportunities for our students, greater national visibility, and a continued commitment to providing an outstanding educational experience.”
The Argonauts have built one of the strongest programs in Division II, leading the Gulf South Conference in all-time championships and all-sports trophies. UWF’s 15 varsity programs have combined for 11 national championships and 136 conference titles. The program’s student-athletes posted a cumulative 3.37 GPA in Spring 2025.
- “This transition represents the next chapter in the evolution of our athletics program,” UWF Athletic Director Dave Scott said. “As we prepare for Division I competition, we remain focused on building champions for life.”
The Atlantic Sun Conference was founded in 1978 and is composed of eight institutions across the Southeast, including Florida Gulf Coast University, the University of North Florida and Lipscomb University. The United Athletic Conference was established in 2023 as a single-sport football conference through a partnership between the ASUN and the Western Athletic Conference. The UAC will expand to a full multi-sport conference and rebrand on July 1, 2026.
The ASUN and the WAC also announced the formation of a strategic consortium beginning July 1, 2026, supporting collaborative scheduling, shared operational efficiencies and expanded competition opportunities while maintaining independent conference structures.
“This addition not only strengthens both conferences, but represents yet another growth milestone for the alliance between these two leagues,” consortium Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bacon said. “Since announcing our plans nearly a year ago, the excitement around what we will unveil on July 1 has been overwhelming, and with UWF on board, we have added significant fuel to the fire.”
During the three-year NCAA reclassification process, UWF’s teams will compete at the Division I level but will not be eligible for NCAA postseason tournaments. They will, however, be eligible for ASUN and UAC conference championships. Full postseason eligibility is expected to begin in 2029.
The move aligns with the university’s continued growth in enrollment, research activity and regional engagement.
By fiscal year 2027-2028, with the new Darrell Gooden Stadium fully operational and Division I competition underway, UWF Athletics is projected to generate approximately $42 million in economic impact and support an estimated 280 jobs across the region, according to an analysis by the UWF Haas Center.
