Pac-12 Officially Invites Texas State University
The rebrand of the Pac-12 Conference is continuing. Texas State University will be a Pac-12 member after accepting the official invitation by the Pac-12.
Pac-12 officials had been looking for that eighth football school to add to the conference. By July of 2026 the conference had to find eight full-time schools to be considered a conference. Texas State received the formal invitation on Monday and will officially be a Pac-12 Conference member on July 1, 2026. Texas State becomes the eighth full time conference member.
The new look Pac-12 Conference includes:
- Oregon State Beavers
- Washington State Cougars
- Colorado State Rams
- Fresno State Bulldogs
- San Diego State Aztecs
- Texas State Bobcats
- Utah State Aggies
- Boise State Broncos
- Gonzaga Bulldogs(non football sports)
Pac-12 and Realignment
For us old heads who grew up in the former Pac-12 having a team in Texas almost sounds like heresy. However, in the rebranded version it almost makes sense. When you look around at all the realignment that has occurred having the Bobcats isn’t out of the norm. When I look at the Big Ten, which has always been a conference of Midwest universities you see Oregon, Washington, UCLA, and USC. Those are four of the biggest university brands on the West Coast. Not the Midwest. Realignment has caused people to look at conferences in a much different light for the last couple of years.
Texas State brings the fertile recruiting grounds of Texas, good television markets, and a university that is on the rise according to many. The Bobcats have also made it abundantly clear that they are coming to the Pac-12 Conference to compete.
What Both Sides are Saying
“We are not joining the Pac-12 to simply participate; we are joining to compete, contribute and win championships. The Pac-12 has a proud and storied tradition of excellence and TXST is honored to be a foundational member university helping to write the next chapter.” said TXST President Kelly Damphousse. (Yahoo Sports)
In a statement by the conference, Commissioner Teresa Gould, expressed her gratitude towards Texas State.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Texas State as a foundational member of the new Pac-12,” Conference Commissioner Teresa Gould said in a statement. “It is a new day in college sports and the most opportune time to launch a new league that is positioned to succeed in today’s landscape with student-athletes in mind. Under great leadership from Dr. Kelly Damphousse, Don Coryell and excellent head coaches, Texas State has shown a commitment to competing and winning at the highest level as well as to providing student-athletes with a well-rounded college experience academically, athletically and socially. We look forward to seeing the Bobcats’ future trajectory continue to shine big and bright.”
Texas State Investment
Texas State has seen a big time investment in the universities sports programs, especially football. Let’s face it, football is king in Texas.
The investment in Texas State has included $37 million in renovations to their football performance center. However, it also includes $149 million in upgrades to its facilities and athletic infrastructure. For the conference that was very positive investment in the future of TXST and for the conference. It showed the conference that Texas State is serious about being around in a major conference.
Moving Forward for the Pac-12
At the end of day this was positive move for a conference that has fought and clawed their way back from the edge of extinction. While it’s not the old Pac-12 that many people loved, it is a conference that has now told people that they are not leaving college sports. That will bring smiles to many of us traditional Pac-12 fans, but it also says that this once proud conference is not done with the rebranding.
With the media deal that was recently struck with CBS, the Texas State invitation, and possible new additions coming the conference is showing fight and determination.
Welcome to the fight, Texas State! It’s time to “Back the Pac” Bobcat fans! Let’s go!
Michael J. Wilson-The Daily Waiver
Email: dailywaiver@gmail.com Instagram: @dailywaiver Tik-Tok: @dailywaiver