Texas Wesleyan University has been has accepted for membership in the Red River Conference of the NAIA for the fall 2002.

The member institutions are in both Texas and Oklahoma and include Houston Baptist University, SW Assembly, UT-Permian Basin, Northwood University, Texas College, Paul Quinn College, Jarvis, College of the Southwest, Texas A&M International, Bacone College, Wiley, and Langston University.

Texas Wesleyan enjoys dual membership with the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA).

Earlier this spring, University President Hal Jeffcoat announced that Texas Wesleyan would make application to the Red River Conference of the NAIA. Texas Wesleyan has a long and successful history in the NAIA with tremendous success in Golf (six National Championships), and also a legacy of excellence in Women's volleyball, baseball,and basketball.

The Rams' return to the NAIA will mark the end of a journey that has seen Texas Wesleyan join and successfully compete at the NCAA Division II level as a charter member of the Heartland Conference.

Last season the Rams played as independents and received an invitation to join the NCAA Division III American Southwest Conference in the Fall of 2002. After serious consideration the consensus of the students, faculty, alumni, boosters and administration was clearly that the NAIA was the best choice for Texas Wesleyan University.

The Rams look to begin play in the Red River Conference this fall.