JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) Commissioner Jeff Bacon announced Thursday that Abilene Christian University and the University of Texas at Arlington are joining the ASUN as Men's Tennis affiliate members beginning in the 2026 season.
"I am thrilled to welcome the Mavericks and Wildcats' Men's Tennis programs, coaches and student-athletes to the Atlantic Sun Conference," said Bacon. "ASUN Men's Tennis has long been a strength of the Conference and the additions of two championship caliber programs in Abilene Christian and UT Arlington will only enhance that collective strength."
Since becoming a Divison I program, ACU has captured two conference tournament titles including the 2022 and 2025 Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Championships. Last season, the Wildcats were 9-1 at the Jones Tennis Building and made an appearance in the WAC Championship for the third time in the last five years.
“We’re thrilled to have ACU Men’s Tennis join the ASUN beginning in spring 2026, said ACU Vice President for Athletics, Zack Lassiter. The ASUN’s competitive depth and commitment to elevating student-athlete experiences align perfectly with our vision for the future of Wildcat tennis. This move positions our program to grow, compete at the highest level, and continue representing Abilene Christian University with excellence on and off the court.”
The Mavericks' Men's Tennis program has claimed 10 regular season titles since its inaguaral season in 1971. Two of UT Arlington's regular season titles came in the WAC in 2023 and 2024. UTA went on to win the tournament championship both seasons as well. Last year, the Mavericks were 10-10 overall with half of their wins coming during conference play.
“We are happy to have our UTA Men’s Tennis program joining the ASUN,” said UT Arlington Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Jon Fagg. “This new home for men’s tennis will provide positive opportunities for our student-athletes to compete at a high level and continue to challenge for championships. It was important for us to find the right fit for our program and student-athletes and believe that we have found that with the ASUN.”
The Mavericks and Wildcats join Austin Peay, Bellarmine, EKU, FGCU, Lipscomb, North Alabama, North Florida, Queens and Stetson to comprise the 11 teams competiting the conference tournament title. The 2026 ASUN Men's Tennis Championship takes place next April and is hosted by FGCU in Fort Myers, Fla.
About the Atlantic Sun Conference
The Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN), founded in 1978, is an NCAA Division I conference sponsoring twenty-two (22) sports and championships. Composed of twelve (12) destination-based institutions spread throughout the southeastern United States, ASUN members include Austin Peay State University (Clarksville, Tenn.), Bellarmine University (Louisville, Ky.), the University of Central Arkansas (Conway, Ark.), Eastern Kentucky University (Richmond, Ky.), Florida Gulf Coast University (Fort Myers, Fla.), Jacksonville University (Fla.), Lipscomb University (Nashville, Tenn.), the University of North Alabama (Florence, Ala.), the University of North Florida (Jacksonville, Fla.), Queens University of Charlotte (Charlotte, N.C.), Stetson University (DeLand, Fla.), and the University of West Georgia (Carrollton, Ga.).