The Lone Star Conference will expand to 19 member institutions as league officials announced Tuesday that eight schools have accepted invitations to join the LSC in the fall of 2019.

The LSC Council of Presidents voted unanimously this summer to offer full membership to the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, Dallas Baptist University, Lubbock Christian University, Oklahoma Christian University, Rogers State University, St. Edward’s University, St. Mary’s University, and Texas A&M International University.

“We look forward to collaborating on and off the athletic field knowing that our student athletes will benefit from this expansion,” said Texas Woman’s Chancellor Carine M. Feyten, chair of the LSC President’s Council.

With 19 members, the LSC will become the biggest conference in NCAA Division II.  The LSC, founded on April 25, 1931, started as a five-member conference of Texas-based schools and with the latest expansion will become a 19-member league with 13 members in Texas, three in Oklahoma, two in New Mexico, and one in Arkansas.

“This is an exciting time for the Lone Star Conference. The addition of these eight schools makes the LSC the largest and most dynamic conference in NCAA Division II. These nineteen institutions will represent the very best in Division II through a shared commitment to excellence in academics, athletics and student-athlete development,” said LSC Commissioner Jay Poerner.  “I am thankful to the leadership of the LSC Council of Presidents for its guidance in leading this expansion effort.”

Located in Fort Smith, Ark., UAFS has an enrollment of more than 6,600 students.  The Lions sponsor 10 NCAA Division II sports (volleyball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, men’s and women’s tennis).

DBU is located in Dallas with an enrollment of 5,156 students.  The Patriots sponsor 14 NCAA Division II sports (volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, men’s basketball, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field).

Located in Lubbock, Texas, Lubbock Christian has an enrollment of 1,912 students.  The Chaparrals sponsor 15 NCAA Division II sports (volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field).

Oklahoma Christian is located in Oklahoma City, Okla., with an enrollment of 2,600 students.  The Eagles sponsor 16 NCAA Division II sports (men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field, men’s and women’s swimming).

Located in Claremore, Okla., Rogers State has an enrollment of 3,889 students.  The Hillcats sponsor 14 NCAA Division II sports (men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field).

St. Edward’s is located in Austin, Texas, with an enrollment of 4,056 students.  The Hilltoppers sponsor 13 NCAA Division II sports (volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s tennis).

Located in San Antonio, Texas, St. Mary’s has an enrollment of 3,567 students.  The Rattlers sponsor 11 NCAA Division II sports (volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s tennis).

Texas A&M International is located in Laredo, Texas, with an enrollment of 7,200 students.  The Dustdevils sponsor 11 NCAA Division II sports (volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball).

Adding the eight institutions marks the LSC’s first expansion since UT Permian Basin and Western New Mexico joined the conference in 2016.  The league has had 38 institutions compete as members over its 86-year history.

The LSC conducts conference championships in 17 sports (eight men and nine women). Men’s championships include football, cross country, basketball, baseball, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, golf and tennis. Women’s titles are determined in volleyball, soccer, cross country, basketball, softball, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, tennis and golf.