Dixie State Athletics Officially Moves To NCAA Division I

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Dixie State Athletics officially moved up to NCAA Division I status and joined the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).

The Trailblazers began their transition to NCAA D-I status on July 1. The Trailblazers first announced the move to Division I on January 11, 2019.

“IT’S OFFICIAL!! We are NCAA Division 1,” tweeted Dixie State Athletics on Wednesday.

“Moving to Division I is the next pivotal step in Dixie State University transitioning from securing university status in 2013 to obtaining university stature,” said Dixie State president Dr. Richard B. Williams in 2019. “Joining the Western Athletic Conference will not only elevate our athletic teams and allow them to play other high-caliber competitors, but it will elevate our entire university and expand the stage on which we can share the message about the high-quality academic programs, individualized attention and active learning opportunities available at Dixie State.”

IT'S OFFICIAL!! We are NCAA Division 1. #DixieBlazers #WeAreONE pic.twitter.com/zVBW9AxmVf

— Dixie State Athletics (@DixieAthletics) July 1, 2020

“Our coaches, student-athletes and staff have worked tirelessly, especially in these uncertain times, to be ready for this transition,” said Dr. Jason Boothe, Dixie State’s director of intercollegiate athletics. “It will be challenging, even more so now with the curve balls the pandemic is throwing at us, but we are ready. There is still a lot of work to do but we couldn’t be more excited for the future of Trailblazers Athletics and what this momentous next step will bring.”

15 of Dixie State’s 16 sports programs will compete in the WAC during the school’s reclassification period. The Trailblazers will compete in football as a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) independent.

Prior to Wednesday’s move, Dixie State competed at the Division II level since the 2006-07 season

Western Athletic Conference

Dixie State became the eighth full member of the WAC on June 1.

“Welcome! Let’s get to work,” the WAC replied to the Trailblazers’ tweet.

“Several factors make Dixie State University a great fit for the WAC,” WAC commissioner Jeff Hurd said following the Trailblazers’ original announcement in 2019. “Commitment to quality academics and athletics programs, along with the long-term vision that President Williams has for the University’s growth, are at the top of the list. I have no doubt that Dixie State will make a smooth transition to Division I and to the WAC.”

In addition to the Trailblazers, the conference added Tarleton State University as its ninth member on Wednesday.

Woke up this morning with TWO new members!🤩 Welcome to the WAC @DixieAthletics and @TarletonSports! Excited to see what the future holds💪 pic.twitter.com/Ct8m1PT6SG

— The Western Athletic Conference (@WACsports) July 1, 2020

The Western Athletic Conference now includes:

• California Baptist
• Chicago State
• Dixie State
• Grand Canyon
• New Mexico State
• Seattle
• Tarleton State
• UT Rio Grande Valley
• Utah Valley