The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is organized in three athletic divisions. Most Division I schools are larger than those in Divisions II and III. Unlike Division III, Division I and II schools are allowed to offer student athletes athletic scholarships to help finance their education. For many athletes, Division I schools are a stepping stone towards professional sports. As of 2010, 21 schools in Texas offered Division I athletics.

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas has men's and women's teams in basketball, cross country, track and field, and tennis. Their basketball program has produced several professional NBA players including, Kevin Durrant, TJ Ford, and Chris Mihm. Their team name is the Longhorns. Their football program has also produced successful professional NFL players, including Vince Young. The University of Texas was established in 1883 and as of 2010 had nearly 40,000 students.

The University of Texas at Austin John Hargis Hall Southeast corner of Martin Luther King Blvd. and Red River Street Austin, TX 78701 512-475-7440 texassports.com/

Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University is a public university in College Station, Texas. As of 2009, their undergraduate enrollment was nearly 50,000 students. Their athletic teams are known as the Aggies, and they play in the Big 12 conference. In 2009, their men's golf team won an NCAA title. The Aggies football team plays in Kyle Field.

Texas A&M University 161 Wellborn Road College Station, TX 77843-0001 (979) 845-5129 aggieathletics.com/

Baylor University

Baylor University is a private school located in Waco, Texas. In 2010, its undergraduate enrollment was under 13,000 students. Their athletic teams are nicknamed the Bears, and they also play in the Big 12 conference. In 2010, Art Briles began his third season as head coach of the school's football team. The Bears have men's and women's teams in basketball, cross country, golf, tennis, and track and field. In 2004, the men's tennis team won an NCAA championship.

Baylor University 1500 South University Parks Drive Waco, TX 76706 254-710-2743 baylorbears.com/

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