Texas A&M University-San Antonio is making a bold move that signals its commitment to becoming a true destination campus. With the Texas A&M-San Antonio athletics expansion underway, the university announced its largest-ever athletics expansion, adding six varsity sports in a single year. In fact, the Texas A&M-San Antonio athletics expansion is set to create exciting new opportunities for students and enhance campus life. Starting in the 2026-27 academic year, students will be able to compete in men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field, as well as men’s and women’s cross country.
This expansion is significant not just in numbers, but in what it represents for the university’s trajectory. A&M-San Antonio currently fields over 130 student-athletes across men’s and women’s soccer, men’s golf, softball, and basketball. With these additions, the number is expected to jump to nearly 200, bringing the total to 12 varsity programs. For a university that only launched intercollegiate athletics in 2020, this growth trajectory is remarkable. Moreover, the Texas A&M-San Antonio athletics expansion will help foster an even stronger student-athlete community.
“This is an incredibly exciting moment for Jaguar Athletics and for the University,” said Dr. Darnell Smith, athletic director. “Adding these sports will not only open new opportunities for student-athlete participation but also contribute to a more vibrant campus culture and enhance the student experience and school spirit. Athletics offers experiences that unify and energize the campus, as well as giving the community opportunities to interact with the University and see what makes A&M-San Antonio such a special place.”
The timing of this expansion aligns perfectly with infrastructure investments that position the university for success. A $10 million investment by Bexar County is funding a new competition-quality track-and-field facility, set to open in spring 2026, along with a new softball complex. These first-class facilities will serve both the university and the broader community, creating a hub for athletic excellence in South Texas. Without a doubt, the Texas A&M-San Antonio athletics expansion will elevate the university’s role in regional sports.
The university is immediately beginning its search for a head coach to lead both the cross-country and track-and-field programs. Once hired, the coach will focus on building competitive rosters ready to represent the Jaguars when competition begins in fall 2026.
President Salvador Hector Ochoa emphasized that this expansion aligns with the university’s strategic vision. “We are making decisions that best position the institution for success and growth,” he said. “The expansion of intercollegiate athletics is an integral part of the University’s strategic plan, as we continue our journey to becoming a destination campus and the school of first choice for an increasing number of students across Bexar County and all of Texas.”
Since launching its athletics program just four years ago, A&M-San Antonio has seen how sports serve as a “front porch” for the university, inviting prospective students and community members to experience campus life firsthand. Athletics creates visibility, builds school spirit, and gives the community a reason to engage with and support the institution.
This expansion also creates new opportunities for local and statewide recruitment, attracting student-athletes who might not have otherwise considered A&M-San Antonio. It brings new supporters and partners into the fold, strengthening the university’s ties to the region while showcasing the resilience and determination that define South Texas. Clearly, the Texas A&M-San Antonio athletics expansion is a turning point in the university’s growth.
For current and prospective students, these new programs offer more opportunities to compete at the collegiate level, develop leadership skills, and help build something from the ground up. For the university, it’s another step toward fulfilling its mission to serve students and the community with excellence and ambition. As A&M-San Antonio continues to grow, its athletics program is growing right alongside it, enriching the student experience and inspiring the next generation of Jaguars.
