DBU has officially accepted an invitation to join Conference USA as an affiliate member in the sport of baseball, the league office announced on Friday. The addition of DBU Baseball was approved by the Conference USA Board of Directors.
 
The Patriots will make the transition following the conclusion of the 2022 season and will compete as an affiliate member in Conference USA starting with the 2023 season.
 
The Patriots are currently in their ninth season in the Missouri Valley Conference. Since DBU joined The Valley in 2014, the Patriots have won three regular-season titles (2016, 2019, and 2021) and hoisted the MVC Tournament trophy on four occasions (2014, 2016, 2017, and 2021).
 
"Today marks an incredible moment for not only Patriot Baseball and DBU Athletics but for the entire DBU Family," DBU President Dr. Adam C. Wright said. "Joining Conference USA represents a tremendous opportunity for our program in our continued pursuit of excellence through Christ-centered championship Baseball. We are humbled to accept the invitation to join Conference USA and do so with great anticipation."
 
"Adding a baseball program of DBU's caliber to our extremely competitive line-up further positions Conference USA for continued success at the national level," Conference USA Commissioner Judy MacLeod said. "We are excited about the partnership and look forward to working with DBU's leadership as we strategically advance forward and transition into this new era for the conference."   
 
During the 2022-23 academic year (2023 baseball season), Conference USA will feature 10 baseball playing institutions including DBU, Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, FIU, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee, Western Kentucky, Rice, UAB, and UTSA.  Following the 2023 season, five teams will depart Conference USA including Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, Rice, UAB, and UTSA, and four teams will join including Jacksonville State, Liberty, New Mexico State, and Sam Houston.
 
"Today is a great day and we are thrilled for this new era and chapter for Patriot Baseball. I would like to thank Commissioner Judy MacLeod and the leadership in Conference USA for this exciting opportunity," said Connor Smith, DBU Director of Athletics. "Today is another step forward for our program and department as we remain committed to advancing our mission and providing quality, championship experiences for our student-athletes. The best is yet to come."
 
Since DBU joined the NCAA Division I ranks in 2004, the Patriots have reached the NCAA postseason 10 times. DBU is also one of just six teams in the nation to advance to the NCAA Tournament each of the last seven years under the leadership of Head Coach Dan Heefner. Additionally, the Patriots are currently the only team in college baseball to post seven consecutive 40-win seasons. Entering the 2022 season, DBU's 270 wins ranked as the fifth-highest total among the nation's 302 NCAA Division I baseball programs.
 
Friday's announcement marks the third conference that DBU has joined since becoming a Division I program. From 2004-2012 the Patriots competed as an Independent. In 2013, DBU spent one season in the Western Athletic Conference before joining the Missouri Valley Conference.
 
DBU was aided in the transition to Conference USA by College Sports Solutions LLC and their president Jeff Schemmel.
 
About Conference USA
Conference USA is an NCAA Division I athletic conference based in Dallas, Texas. Now in its third decade, Conference USA has adapted to the ever-changing landscape of collegiate athletics with an unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity and leadership in competition, academics, and community.
 
About Dallas Baptist University
DBU is a private Christian university located in Dallas, Texas. Founded in 1898, the university has a current (fall of 2021) enrollment of 4,366. The Patriots sponsor 15 NCAA intercollegiate athletics programs, and with the exception of baseball, compete at the Division II level in the Lone Star Conference.