Dallas Baptist, a national baseball powerhouse, will join the Pac-12 as affiliate member

Dallas Baptist University, which has one of the nation’s most successful baseball program in recent years, will join the Pac-12 as an affiliate member in 2026-27.

The move will give the new-look Pac-12 seven baseball programs along with Oregon State, Fresno State, Washington State, Gonzaga, San Diego State and Texas State.

Dallas Baptist, a private Baptist university in Dallas, plays in Lone Star Conference with the exception of baseball, which will move from Conference USA to the Pac-12. Dallas Baptist baseball has spent the last four seasons in C-USA and played in the Missouri Valley Conference before that.

“This is a historic step for DBU Baseball and Dallas Baptist University,” Dallas Baptist President Dr. Adam C. Wright said in a news release. “The Pac-12’s tradition of excellence will provide our student-athletes a national platform worthy of their talent and character, while aligning with DBU’s mission to develop Christ-centered servant leaders who compete with integrity and distinction on the field, in the classroom and in life.”

Led by head coach Dan Heefner, Dallas Baptist has become a consistent national contender. Since Heefner was hired in 2008, Dallas Baptist has reached 14 NCAA regional appearances, including each of the last 11 seasons, making it one of only five schools to do that. The Patriots also have captured 10 conference championships across two leagues in the past 11 years.

“This is yet another significant moment in the history of DBU Athletics,” Dallas Baptist athletic director Matt Duce said in a news release. “DBU Baseball’s legacy stretches back decades, shaped by the dedication of players and coaches who laid the foundation for today’s success. Over the last two decades, Coach Heefner and the Patriots have carried that tradition to even greater heights, and joining the Pac-12 is the latest milestone in a storied history. On behalf of our alumni, players, and fans, I would like to thank commissioner Teresa Gould, the Pac-12 leadership team and the member institutions for this exciting opportunity.”

Added Heefner: “We are excited for the challenge and the opportunity that the Pac-12 conference brings to our program. The Pac-12 features elite programs and passionate fan bases. Our guys embrace big moments, and we are grateful for the chance to represent DBU in the Pac-12.”

Dallas Baptist baseball has had 150 major-league draft picks in its history and has averaged 42.5 wins per season since 2015, the seventh most in the nation. The program joined the Division I ranks in 2004.

“As we build a new league upon our conference’s storied past, we are ecstatic to welcome DBU Baseball and its top-caliber program to help write our next chapter,” Pac-12 commissioner Teresa Gould said in a news release. “With the strength of our new baseball league and amazing communities across our seven programs, including the Patriots’ passionate fanbase, we cannot wait for our official first pitch!”

Dallas Baptist becomes the first affiliate of the new-look Pac-12, which will add Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Colorado State, Utah State, Texas State and Gonzaga as full members in 2026.