@jfitztv LA Tech joining the Sun Belt is a good move in my eyes. What do you think? #fyp #louisianatech #ruston #sunbelt #sports #collegefootball #collegebasketball #collegebaseball #collegesports #greenscreen ♬ original sound - JFitzTV
Louisiana Tech University is officially heading to the Sun Belt Conference, accepting a unanimous invitation from the league's Board of Directors to become its 14th member by no later than July 1, 2027.
The move marks a major shift for the Bulldogs and Lady Techsters as they rejoin a geographic footprint filled with long-standing regional rivals, a move officials say will enhance competition and improve the student-athlete experience.
"We are thrilled to welcome Louisiana Tech University to the Sun Belt," said Sun Belt Commissioner Keith Gill. "The addition of Louisiana Tech reunites a number of long-standing regional rivalries under the conference banner."
The transition comes as Texas State departs the Sun Belt for the Pac-12, opening a door for Louisiana Tech to return to a more geographically aligned and fan-accessible conference. The Bulldogs and Lady Techsters, who compete in 16 NCAA Division I FBS sports, previously shared league affiliations with several current Sun Belt institutions.
University President Jim Henderson praised the move as a step forward for both athletics and the broader university community.
"The storied legacy of our Bulldogs and Lady Techsters will be advanced with this move," Henderson said. "Joining the conference will guarantee regular competition with regional rivals, new and old, creating a more logistically sound experience for our student-athletes, coaches, and fans."
Athletic Director Ryan Ivey echoed the sentiment, noting that reduced travel burdens, increased fan engagement, and renewed rivalries will benefit Louisiana Tech’s programs across the board.
"Through all the uncertainty surrounding college athletics, we are pleased that Louisiana Tech has found its rightful home as a member of the Sun Belt Conference," Ivey said.
Louisiana Tech has posted steady success across several sports in recent years, winning conference titles in four different sports over the past five years, including three in baseball. In 2024–25, six teams or individuals reached postseason play, including the football team, which competed in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl.
The school has also made significant investments in its athletic infrastructure, with over $100 million dedicated to facility upgrades in the past decade. That includes the $21 million Origin Bank Center for Student-Athlete Success, scheduled to open before the 2026 football season.
Academically, Louisiana Tech Athletics continues to achieve at a high level, with six programs earning perfect Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores of 1,000 and 10 teams scoring above 980 in the NCAA’s most recent report.
"While the benefits to Louisiana Tech, the state of Louisiana, and the Sun Belt Conference are obvious, the real winners are our student-athletes," Henderson said. "It’s a great day for our Bulldogs and Lady Techsters."
Louisiana Tech will join a league that includes Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, James Madison, Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, Marshall, Old Dominion, South Alabama, Southern Miss, and Troy.
A joint press conference is scheduled for Wednesday at 3 p.m. at the Davison Athletics Complex and will be streamed live on Louisiana Tech’s official YouTube channel.
------------------------------------------------------------
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
To reach the newsroom or report a typo/correction, click HERE.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Evening News Headlines, Latest COVID-19 Headlines, Morning News Headlines, Special Offers