Bears will get new conference opponent in West Florida

The ASUN Conference and the United Athletic Conference announced Tuesday that the University of West Florida will transition to NCAA Division I and join both leagues starting Fall 2026.

UWF will join the UAC as a football-playing affiliate uacfootball — and the first game on its Division I schedule is on the road at Central Arkansas on September 5.

That makes Conway the site of a legitimate piece of college football history.

When the Argonauts kick off that afternoon, it’ll be their first-ever game at the Division I level — and UCA gets to be the opponent that welcomes them to it.

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Western Athletic Conference will rebrand as the UAC and form a first-of-its-kind consortium with the ASUN, built to support collaborative scheduling, shared operational efficiencies and expanded competition opportunities.

West Florida becomes the 17th member of that consortium.

Consortium CEO Jeff Bacon made clear this wasn’t a routine addition.

“This addition not only strengthens both conferences, but represents yet another growth milestone for the alliance between these two leagues,” Bacon said. “Since announcing our plans nearly a year ago, the excitement around what we will unveil on July 1 has been overwhelming, and with UWF on board, we have added significant fuel to the fire.”

Who Are the Argonauts?

For Bears fans getting familiar with their new opponent, West Florida isn’t a program that stumbled into Division I.

The Argonauts led the Gulf South Conference in all-time championships and all-sports trophies, with 15 varsity programs earning 11 national championships and 136 conference titles at the Division II level.

UWF Athletic Director Dave Scott captured what the move means.

“This transition represents the next chapter in the evolution of our athletics program and a testament to the dedication of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and supporters,” Scott said. “As we prepare for Division I competition, we remain focused on building champions for life.”

The University of West Florida educates more than 15,600 students across 110-plus programs and generates an economic impact exceeding $1.4 billion.

This is a major university making a calculated move up — and the Bears are the first program that’ll get to measure just how ready the Argonauts are.

What UWF’s Schedule Looks Like

The September 5 opener in Conway is just the start of a demanding debut slate.

After visiting Central Arkansas, UWF returns home September 19 to host Austin Peay, then travels to Abilene Christian on October 3, EKU on October 24, and North Alabama on November 7, before hosting Tarleton State on November 14 and closing at West Georgia on November 21.

It’s a schedule built entirely around UAC competition. The Bears draw the privilege — and the pressure — of going first.

One important note on the transition: during the three-year NCAA reclassification process, West Florida won’t be eligible for NCAA postseason tournaments but will be eligible to compete for ASUN and UAC conference championships. Full NCAA postseason eligibility begins in 2029.

That doesn’t change what September 5 means for UCA. The Bears are hosting a program that’s won at every level it’s played — and Conway is where West Florida’s Division I story starts.