UIW Accepts Invitation To Join Western Athletic Conference In 2022

SAN ANTONIO — The University of the Incarnate Word announced on Thursday morning its athletic program has accepted an invitation to join the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) beginning in 2022.

The WAC will have 14 schools competing in 20 different men’s and women’s sports, which includes eight teams competing in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).

“As we have witnessed over the past several months, Division 1 athletics can be a changing landscape and with that change will come opportunity,” said UIW President Dr. Thomas M. Evans. “The University of the Incarnate Word is committed to prioritizing what is best for our student-athletes and the Mission of the University.

“A move to the WAC at this time puts our student-athletes in the best position to succeed academically and competitively. We want to thank the WAC Board of Directors, Commissioner Jeff Hurd and all the member institutions for the opportunity to join this prestigious league and we look forward to working with them to maintain and strengthen the level of sportsmanship and competition for which the WAC is known. We would also like to thank the institutions of the Southland Conference for their partnership over the past nine years.”

UIW currently has 23 men’s and women’s teams competing in 14 different sports. UIW Football is currently seeking a second conference championship and can achieve that goal with two more wins. The Cardinals football has had their best season in program history with head coach Eric Morris becoming the winningest coach in program history.

“We are excited to be joining the WAC,” says UIW Athletic Director Richard Duran. “This will raise the profile of all our sports teams and give our student-athletes a chance to compete on a different level. We consistently ask our students to be champions in the classroom, the community and in competition. This move will provide them the opportunity to do just that.”