SAN ANTONIO, Texas — November 8, 2026 — A new chapter in Saints athletics is coming to Our Lady of the Lake University. OLLU will launch its first football season in fall 2027, following approval by the university’s Board of Trustees. The addition will create new opportunities for student-athletes to pursue a college education while building an exciting game-day tradition for students, alumni and the San Antonio community.
“Football gives us an opportunity to meet students where their aspirations already exist and show them what is possible through an OLLU education,” said Tom Norris, OLLU’s Executive Director of Strategic Operations and Athletics. “Our responsibility extends far beyond what happens on the football field. We want our student-athletes to graduate prepared to lead, serve their communities, build successful careers and make a difference in the lives of others.” The Saints will compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Sooner Conference. The university will spend the 2026–27 academic year building the program, including establishing the coaching staff, recruiting student-athletes and preparing for its inaugural season.
OLLU has a longstanding tradition of supporting collegiate athletics, with sports playing a significant role in the university’s student experience. Earlier this school year, the university introduced women’s flag football – the first to do so in San Antonio. With the addition of football, OLLU will have 22 athletic teams competing. Currently, approximately 25% of enrolled students participate on OLLU athletic teams, reflecting the strong presence of athletics across campus.
The football program is being made possible through the generosity of a donor who shared a vision of bringing collegiate football to OLLU. The program’s start-up costs will be fully funded by this donor, whose investment will allow the university to establish the team and pursue this new opportunity.
“Bringing football to Our Lady of the Lake University represents much more than adding another sport,” said OLLU Interim President Dr. Brent Fields. “Athletics has a tremendous ability to build belonging and pride. Football will bring students together, give alumni another reason to come.
The addition of football supports OLLU’s broader enrollment goals by expanding its reach to prospective students interested in combining collegiate athletics with a quality education. The university anticipates attracting student-athletes from San Antonio, South Texas, and throughout Texas, as well as regional and national prospects. OLLU is launching recruitment for its inaugural Saints football team, intending to bring 100 student-athletes to campus for the program’s first season.
“The board saw an opportunity to reach students who want to keep playing football while earning a college degree,” said Steve O’Donnell, chairman of the OLLU Board of Trustees. “As we build the program, our priority is to give those students the support they need to succeed in the classroom from their first semester through graduation,” he added.
The program will carry OLLU’s Catholic mission onto the field through an emphasis on academic achievement, teamwork, service and the development of servant leaders. Sister Rose Kruppa, CDP, superior general of the Congregation of Divine Providence, echoed this vision, stating, “The Sisters of Divine Providence founded Our Lady of the Lake University to open doors through education. As we welcome our first football team, my hope is that our student-athletes will put their gifts at the service of others by encouraging a teammate who is struggling, treating opponents with respect and giving their time to our West Side neighbors.”
As the university prepares for kickoff, OLLU is evaluating potential home venues and
community partnerships to establish a welcoming and energetic game-day experience. Details about the coaching staff, recruiting opportunities, home venue, and inaugural competition schedule will be announced as plans are finalized.
Our Lady of the Lake University, the birthplace of Hispanic Serving Institutions, is a private Catholic university in San Antonio founded by the Sisters of Divine Providence. OLLU offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs and is committed to academic excellence, student success, service, and expanding access to higher education. The university’s intercollegiate athletics programs compete as the OLLU Saints.
