Introduction
Trinity University began its athletic campaign competing at the Division I level. They competed in the Southland Conference and played against big-time programs such as Texas Tech, Kansas, and Arkansas State. As in institution, Trinity prides itself on being able to balance both its athletic and academic programs on a national scale. This is why tons of consideration and time went into the decision that all athletic programs would transition into the Division III league. With this move in divisions, this would end all athletic scholarship money being provided to any athletes after the 1971 season. In 1972, Trinity became an independent institution meaning that they were still affiliated with the NCAA but they were not a part of any conference at the time. The search for a new conference seemed to be very difficult for Trinity as no Division III teams were located in the state of Texas, leaving Trinity to compete with only other Division I and Division II programs (Julie Jenkins, 2020). This exhibit will explain those several factors that Trinity took into consideration when reclassifying divisions including money, competition, and participation. While also examining what the overall attitude and atmosphere Trinity University had embodied, we can see the institution being independent up until the inaugural year of the Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association (TIAA) in 1975.