in the National Parliamentary Debate Association. The debate team at UT Tyler has a rich history of national success making five national finals appearances: Sam Cook and Steven Hullum (NPTE 2015 and 2016); Ayush Kumar and Mason Remaley (NPTE 2020, 2022, and NPDA 2022). Cook and Hullum were the NPTE 2016 national champions. Athletics UT Tyler competes in the Lone Star Conference of the NCAA's Division II. The current 2020–21 school year is the last of the program's planned three-year transition from Division III. Both the men's and women's sports teams are referred to as the Patriots. The school does not have a football program. UT Tyler participates in the following fifteen sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis and track & field, while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field and volleyball. Since 2005, UT Tyler student-athletes have won 29 American Southwest Conference Championships, 29 ASC East Division championships, made 32 team appearances in the NCAA postseason and had 26 students earn All-America or Academic All-America Honors. Notable alumni Glenn Canfield Jr. (deceased) – former president of Thermo-Tech Co., Chairperson of the Republican Party of Gregg County, Texas Bryan Hughes – Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from Wood County since 2003 Brittany Mahomes – co-owner of Kansas City NWSL and wife of NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes, played soccer at UT Tyler before a brief professional career Brandon Rhyder – Texas Country/Red Dirt singer Craig Tiley – CEO of Tennis Australia and Director of the Australian Open See also Rodney H. Mabry, third president of The University of Texas at Tyler for 18 years (retired, 2016) References External links UT Tyler Athletics website Educational institutions established in 1971 Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Tyler Public universities and colleges in Texas Education in Tyler, Texas Education in Smith County, Texas Buildings and structures in Tyler, Texas