Sam Houston State Joins Conference USA Expanding Texas Collegiate Athletics

Sam Houston State joined Conference USA in 2023 after long stints in other conferences and is similar in size to Missouri State, with a strong men's basketball tradition under coaches like Bob Marlin and current coach Chris Mudge. Destiny Masters, a decorated track and field athlete from Wichita State, overcame personal hardships including the loss of her father and persevered to become one of the program's all-time greats with multiple All-American honors and school records. West Virginia football holds several longstanding records unlikely to be broken soon due to changes in coaching styles and player transfer trends, demonstrating the evolving nature of college football careers. Meanwhile, Baylor basketball is making history with a projected top-five NBA draft pick, a guard described as an exceptional athlete comparable to NBA stars Victor Oladipo and Dwyane Wade, marking the highest-ever selection for the program and continuing a streak of top-19 draft picks. These stories highlight significant achievements and transitions within collegiate athletics, spanning football, basketball, and track and field.