Emporia State will face a new athletics program during the 2024-25 athletics season.

The University of Arkansas Fort Smith (UAFS) officially joined the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) July 1 as a full-time member and will officially start competing against MIAA teams this fall. 

UAFS, a previous member of the Lone Star Conference since 2019, competes in ten sports including baseball, women’s volleyball, and men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, golf and tennis. UAFS however does not have a football team, women’s soccer team or a softball team.

According to a press release by the university, the transfer to the MIAA from the Lone Star Conference will reduce the amount of travel time UAFS student-athletes will experience.

The release also says that the move will foster new rivalries between schools and will give UAFS fans access to more games. 

“Our fans can travel and support our teams on the road, just as we can welcome more fans from MIAA opponents,” UAFS Athletic Director Curtis Janz said.

The Hornets will first face the newly-added Lions in a head-to-head volleyball matchup on Nov. 15 during the final stretch of regular season play. With a possibility to compete in an additional match during the postseason. 

The Lions and Hornets are not set to attend any of the same cross country meets during the regular season, but may see each other at the MIAA championships on Oct. 26. 

During the 2023 season, the Lions put up an impressive 22-8 record in women’s volleyball. The Lions competed against one MIAA school, Pittsburg State, in early September suffering a 0-3 loss and going 0-1 against MIAA teams. 

During the 2023-24 season UAFS athletics finished the season:

• 26-28 in baseball

• 7-21 in men’s basketball

• 11-18 and 0-1 against MIAA in women’s basketball

• 3-13 and 0-1 against MIAA in men’s tennis

• 3-19 and 1-3 against MIAA in women’s tennis

• 22-8 and 0-1 against MIAA in volleyball

With the addition of UAFS to the MIAA, Lincoln University will depart from the MIAA conference. After 43 years of competing in the MIAA, the Blue Tigers will move into the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) for the 2024-25 school year.