Sam Houston State is a college football team that competes in the Conference USA, which is among the 10 conferences that form the highest NCAA Division I football level, the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The Bearkats recently became part of the FBS and joined the conference on July 1, 2023.
But how did Sam Houston State become an FBS team? And what are their prospects and goals for the future?
When Sam Houston Became an FBS Team
Sam Houston State’s football program dates back to 1912, when the school was known as Sam Houston Normal Institute. The school changed its name several times, becoming Sam Houston State College in 1965 and Sam Houston State University in 1969.
The team competed in various divisions and conferences throughout its history, including the Lone Star Conference, the Gulf Star Conference, and the Southland Conference. The Bearkats also moved up from NAIA to NCAA Division II in 1982 and from Division II to Division I-AA (now FCS) in 1986.
Sam Houston State achieved great success in their lower divisions, earning 20 conference titles and 12 playoff appearances. Many notable players, including Josh McCown, Rhett Bomar, Timothy Flanders, and Jeremiah Briscoe, all came from the program. However, the Bearkats had a larger goal: To compete in the highest level of college football, the FBS.
The Bearkats began their journey to the FBS in 2014 when they joined the Western Athletic Conference as a non-football member. The WAC partnered with the Southland Conference, allowing its members to play football in the Southland. Sam Houston State also started to schedule more games against FBS opponents, such as Texas Tech, New Mexico, and Louisiana Tech.
MORE: When Did Jacksonville State Become an FBS Team?
The Bearkats proved that they could compete with the big boys, pulling off some close games and even a win over New Mexico in 2017.
Their breakthrough came in 2021 when they received an invitation to join Conference USA, one of the 10 conferences that make up the FBS. Conference USA was looking for new members after losing six teams to the American Athletic Conference (AAC) and the Sun Belt Conference.
The Bearkats accepted the invitation, along with nine other teams from the FCS: James Madison, Liberty, New Mexico State, Jacksonville State, Southern Illinois, North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Kennesaw State, and Eastern Washington. Sam Houston State officially became an FBS team on July 1, 2023, after meeting all the requirements and paying the necessary fees.
The team made their move quickly once the AAC and Big 12 conferences started making their moves over the last two years.
The AAC announced its six new additions from Conference USA on Oct. 21, 2021. Sam Houston was contacted by CUSA early the following week and sent the league a document selling itself as a potential member.
CUSA conference commissioner Judy MacLeod visited the campus the ensuing Sunday. Five days later, CUSA announced that Sam Houston State, Jacksonville State, Liberty, and New Mexico State were joining the league.
“Less than three weeks, from nothing to full announcement,” one athletic department source said.
Sam Houston athletics director Bobby Williams laughed and remarked “maybe about two [weeks]” when asked to confirm this. “It seemed like an eternity to me,” added Sam Houston State president Dr. Alisa White.
Now, it’s a matter of proving they belong and building for the long term.