The Argos are moving to Division I across the board in athletics. Football is now part of the United Athletic Conference, a Football Championship Subdivision league. The other sports are headed to the Atlantic Sun.
The announcement was made at a press conference in front of a large crowd and cheers erupted when UWF President Manny Diaz made the announcement.
“What a big day,” Diaz said. “This decision reflects the momentum of our university that has been built for many years and positions us for continued growth in the years ahead.”
UWF Athletic Director Dave Scott called the move a memorable moment.
“Today is an exciting day for the Argonauts,” Scott said. “It’s a day we will remember when we made the transition and started a new era.”
He reflected on the success of the Argos’ D-II era, which included the football team starting from the ground level more than a decade ago and winning a national title four years into its history.
UWF has won 136 conference championships and 11 national titles as an athletic program.
“This moment was not given. It was earned,” Scott said. “In Division II, we had one of the most successful athletic programs. Our teams have delivered national championships, conference championships and All-Americans.
“We have competed at the highest level (in D-II), and every championship, every milestone, and every athlete who has helped our program remains part of UWF history. Division I is the next chapter of our story,” Scott added.
The Argos paid a $2 million entry fee to become a D-I member and must go through a three-year transition period before earning full D-I status starting in the fall of 2029.
While UWF cannot compete in the postseason over the next three years, it can still play for conference championships.
“It places our athletes on a bigger athletic stage while continuing the academic success that defines this university,” Scott said. “We’re excited about the opportunity ahead and ready to get to work.”
Jeff Bacon, the commissioner of the ASUN, spoke at the press conference and shared his excitement about the addition of the Argos to not only his conference, but the UAC as well.
“I’m very confident West Florida is well positioned to succeed as a member of the UAC and ASUN. And I am sure there are many more championships in your future. Welcome to the destination.”
There were several factors that went into UWF’s decision. Among them was the changing landscape of the Gulf South Conference in football. The GSC only had four teams last season.
In joining the UAC, the Argos reunite with two former GSC members in North Alabama and West Georgia.
“You have to look at the viability of the institution as a whole and what is best for the institution long term,” Diaz said. “We looked at all possible options, and looked at what was best for us, and that is why we landed here today.”
With more than 15,000 students, UWF is the third largest institution in both conferences.
Did Scott ever think UWF would be Division I 10 years after the football program played its inaugural season? Probably not.
But the goal was to always get here once football became part of the college’s landscape.
“It was always on the radar, and eventually we always knew we would land in this space. It makes sense at this time to be in this space,” Scott said.
UWF assistant football coach Steve Saulnier has been with the football program since day one. He remembers the early days when there was no stadium on campus or a football facility.
He’s excited to see UWF head into a new era.
“In this lifetime, you expect anything. Anything is possible,” Saulnier said. “With great leadership this was able to happen. It’s very exciting. It’s believable but also unbelievable.”