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UNT Dallas joins RRAC as conference's 13th member institution
Posted: Jul 01, 2025

UNT Dallas joins RRAC as conference's 13th member institution

WACO, Texas — On July 1, the University of North Texas at Dallas will officially join the Red River Athletic Conference as the league's 13th member institution. UNTD enters as another up-and-coming institution for the conference with its campus located near the center of the RRAC's footprint.

UNTD was founded in 2000 as an extension of the UNT campus in Denton, Texas. It became an independent institution in 2010, and the athletic program started in 2020. One of the first hires was former NBA star Josh Howard, who was a key player for the 2006 Dallas Mavericks team that reached the NBA Finals. Howard played professionally from 2003-14, and he now serves as the athletic director and men's basketball head coach for the Trailblazers.

"We're excited to be joining the Red River Athletic Conference," says Howard. "This is a great step for our teams and our campus. We're looking forward to new competition, building some great rivalries, and being part of a conference that shares our values on and off the field."

Beginning with the 2025-26 seasons, UNTD will compete as a full RRAC member in men's and women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, and men's and women's track & field. The Trailblazers also participate in esports, which is not currently an official sport in the RRAC, and there are aspirations to add teams in soccer and women's flag football.

"We are proud to welcome the addition of UNTD to our conference," says RRAC Commissioner Tony Stigliano. "UNTD bolsters the RRAC in the sports that the Trailblazers sponsor, and they are a perfect fit geographically with their campus located in southern Dallas. We're looking forward to working with their president, Warren Von Eschenbach, Josh Howard and their athletic department beginning in the fall."

With the addition of UNTD, the RRAC now has eight member schools in Texas, four in Louisiana and one in New Mexico.

About UNTD
The University of North Texas at Dallas is committed to providing student-athletes an exceptional collegiate athletic experience. UNTD's mission is to cultivate student-athlete leadership through intercollegiate competition, academic excellence, and community engagement by providing opportunities to become positive, productive citizens of the world. UNTD Athletics aspires to facilitate graduation through high-level intercollegiate competition by winning with integrity, promoting strength in community and passion, while creating a student-centered environment.