Dear friends:
As the clock struck midnight last night, Texas State University officially became the first of the new schools to become members of the Pac-12 Conference thanks to our easternmost location.
It was a big moment – one that we have been building up to for a long time. A moment made possible by the vision and hard work of generations of Bobcats over the years.
And while it is obviously exciting news for TXST sports fans, it’s also great news for each and every Bobcat.
In the months and years to come, this move will pay massive dividends in terms of gametime excitement, national exposure, and memories to last a lifetime. Our fans can look forward to cheering our Bobcats on as they compete against nationally regarded schools like Washington State, Oregon State, Boise State, San Diego State, Fresno State, Utah State, Colorado State, and perennial basketball powerhouse Gonzaga.
We have worked hard to meet this moment. We have invested private funds and athletics revenue in major improvements to our athletics facilities and game-day experiences, with the goal of creating an unparallelled welcome for the fans and athletes who visit San Marcos.
Beyond athletics, though, joining a storied conference like the Pac-12 gives us a much larger stage to talk about what we are accomplishing here at TXST and to share our story across the country.
And what a story it is.
This spring we saw a record number of graduating Bobcats and we are anticipating the largest incoming freshman class this fall, our sixth straight record class. Overall, TXST added more students than any other public university between 2022-2025. That’s a lot of lives being changed for the better.
In the Pac-12, we are joining a group of ambitious, like-minded universities that share our commitment to expanding access to high-quality education, advancing discovery, and serving the public good.
Already, five of the Pac-12's nine full-time members are designated R1 research universities, and TXST is on track to make it six in 2027.
The positive impact of our move to the Pac-12 resonates across the university, opening opportunities for cooperation in scholarship and research, improving the national perception of TXST, and increasing the value of every degree we grant, or have ever granted.
Many people in Pac-12 country will be hearing about TXST for the first time. For people who already know a little about us, they’ll be learning much more in the months and years to come.
Just as our fight song says, we are working to make sure “the whole world knows our name.” Today, we are running full-page newspaper ads in the four major Texas markets and in cities that are home to Pac-12 universities. We have also created the Elevate Everything website to showcase how far we have come and where we are going.
And, to mark Day One of the Pac-12 era, we have launched a 24-hour “Day of Giving” campaign, to give Bobcats everywhere the opportunity to invest in the initiatives and programs that support our students.
Our entry into the Pac-12 represents the culmination of years of hard work by our athletics program, our staff and faculty members, and our alumni and supporters. None of this would be possible without your devotion to TXST. So, whether you know TXST from the perspective of the classroom or the lab, as a staff member supporting our students and employees, from cheering in the stands, as an alumnus, or from a lifetime of Bobcat pride, please know that this moment belongs to you. Together, you have helped position TXST for this opportunity, and, for that, I am forever grateful.
Today, I’m proud to begin a new chapter in our university’s history alongside you. The Pac-12 era is officially here, and our future has never looked brighter.
Thank you,
Kelly Damphousse Ph.D.
President