View source for Dallas Baptist University

{{Short description|Private university in Dallas, Texas, U.S.}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox university
| name                   = Dallas Baptist University
| image                  =
| image_size             = 150 
| former_names            = Decatur Baptist College (1898–1965) <br /> Dallas Baptist College (1965–1985)
| established            = 1898
| type                   = [[Private university]]
| motto                  = ''[[Soli Deo gloria]]'' <br /> Glory to God alone
| endowment              = $41.7 million<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/dallas-baptist-university-3560 |title=''U.S. News & World Report'', Best Colleges 2017, Accessed 15 September 2017 |access-date=15 September 2017 |archive-date=16 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916011242/https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/dallas-baptist-university-3560 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| president              = Adam Wright
| chancellor             = Gary Cook
| provost                = Norma Hedin
| undergrad              = 2,874
| postgrad               = 1,373
| city                   = [[Dallas]]
| state                  = [[Texas]]
| country                = United States
| campus                 = {{convert|368|acre|km2}} main campus
| athletics_affiliations = [[Conference USA]] ([[NCAA Division I]], baseball only)<br />[[Lone Star Conference]] ([[NCAA Division II]], all other sports)
| sports_nickname        = [[Dallas Baptist Patriots|Patriots]]
| website                = {{URL|https://www.dbu.edu/|dbu.edu}}
| logo                   = Dallas baptist univ simple logo.png
| logo_size = 150
| enrollment             = 4,247
| faculty                = 124 (full-time)
| colors                 = {{color box|#C41230}} {{color box|#FFFFFF}} {{color box|#001740}}<br> Red, white, blue
| religious_affiliation  = [[Baptist General Convention of Texas]]
}}

'''Dallas Baptist University''' ('''DBU''') is a [[Private university|private]] [[Baptist]] university in [[Dallas, Texas]], United States.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Dallas Baptist University - USNEWS |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/dallas-baptist-university-3560 |access-date=2017-09-15 |archive-date=2017-09-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916011242/https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/dallas-baptist-university-3560 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=TSHA {{!}} Dallas Baptist University |url=https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/dallas-baptist-university |access-date=2022-10-20 |website=www.tshaonline.org |archive-date=2022-10-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020053357/https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/dallas-baptist-university |url-status=live }}</ref> Founded in 1898 as '''Decatur Baptist College''', Dallas Baptist University currently operates campuses in Dallas, [[Plano, Texas|Plano]], and [[Hurst, Texas|Hurst]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Dallas Baptist University |url=https://www.niche.com/colleges/dallas-baptist-university/ |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=Niche |language=en |archive-date=2022-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019115736/https://www.niche.com/colleges/dallas-baptist-university/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It is affiliated with the [[Baptist General Convention of Texas]].

==History==
Dallas Baptist University (formerly known as Decatur Baptist College and Dallas Baptist College) opened in [[Decatur, Texas]] in 1898.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> The [[Baptist General Convention of Texas]] purchased the land in 1897 from Northwest Texas Baptist College.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dallas Baptist University {{!}} History {{!}} Plexuss |url=https://plexuss.com/u/dallas-baptist-university-dbu/history |access-date=2022-10-20 |website=plexuss.com |archive-date=2022-10-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020054358/https://plexuss.com/u/dallas-baptist-university-dbu/history |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Baptist History - The Journal of the Texas Baptist Historical Society Volumes XXvii-XXVIII 2007-2008 |url=https://www.dbu.edu/texas-baptist-history/articles/33024-tbh-2007-2008.pdf |access-date=2022-10-20 |archive-date=2022-10-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020054356/https://www.dbu.edu/texas-baptist-history/articles/33024-tbh-2007-2008.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM |url=https://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/NR/pdfs/71000973/71000973.pdf |access-date=2022-10-20 |archive-date=2022-10-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020055103/https://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/NR/pdfs/71000973/71000973.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The school moved to Dallas in 1965 at the invitation of the Dallas Baptist Association.<ref name="US News 2009">{{citation|year = 2009|title = Best Colleges 2009|journal = U.S. News & World Report|url = http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/college/items/3560|access-date = 2009-02-04|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090106122351/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/college/items/3560|archive-date = 2009-01-06}}</ref><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />

The school's historic [[Administration Building, Decatur Baptist College|Administration Building]] in Decatur, built in 1893, is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref> It was destroyed in a fire on March 18, 2023, after years of service as the [[Wise County, Texas|Wise County]] Heritage Museum.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wcmessenger.com/articles/wise-county-heritage-museum-lost-to-blaze | title=Wise County Heritage Museum lost to blaze - Wise County Messenger | date=21 March 2023 | access-date=19 March 2023 | archive-date=18 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318233757/https://www.wcmessenger.com/articles/wise-county-heritage-museum-lost-to-blaze/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

In October 1965, Dallas Baptist College began offering classes to its first class of over 900 students.<ref name=Williams1998>{{Citation| last = Williams | first   =Michael Sr | title = To God Be the Glory: the Centennial History of Dallas Baptist University| publisher = The Summit Publishing Group| year = 1998| location = Arlington| pages = 117}}</ref> The initial piece of land for the campus, overlooking [[Mountain Creek Lake]] in the hill country of southwest Dallas, was donated by [[John M. Stemmons|John Stemmons]], Roland Pelt, and associates.<ref name=Williams1998/>  An interested group of businessmen donated additional acreage, and in 1994 a donation by the Louis Hexter family brought the current size of the DBU campus, known as University Hill, to {{convert|292|acre|km2}}.<ref>{{cite book|last=Williams|first=Michael Sr|title=To God Be the Glory: the Centennial History of Dallas Baptist University|year=1998|publisher=The Summit Publishing Group|location=Arlington|pages=183}}</ref> In 2018, an additional land acquisition increased the total campus size to {{Convert|368|acre|km2}}.

In 1968, the college moved from [[junior college]] to [[Upper division college|senior college]] status, subsequently offering its first four-year [[bachelor's degree]]s in May 1970. In 1985, the college officially changed its name to Dallas Baptist University.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> The new structure consisted of the College of Arts and Sciences, the [[Mary C. Crowley]] College of Christian Faith, the Dorothy M. Bush College of Education, and the College of Business.<ref>{{cite book|title=Texas Baptist Annual|year=2005|publisher=Baptist General Convention of Texas|pages=110}}</ref>

===Growth and expansion===
[[File:DallasBaptistUniversity.jpg|thumb|A view of the university]]

In 2019, the university enrolled 4,487 students.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://american-school-search.com/review/dallas-baptist-university|title=Dallas Baptist University: Review & Facts|last=Staff|website=American School Search|access-date=April 9, 2018|archive-date=December 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206001750/https://american-school-search.com/review/dallas-baptist-university|url-status=live}}</ref> The university offers 84 undergraduate majors, 24 [[master's degree]] programs, over 45 dual master's programs, and 2 [[Doctorate|doctoral programs]]. While in its early years, the school had the reputation of being a [[Commuting|commuter college]], today's DBU has well over 2,000 students living on campus.

In 1992, the John G. Mahler Student Center, the first new building on the DBU campus in more than 20 years was dedicated. The building is a close replica of [[Independence Hall]] in [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]], and it was the first of many new buildings in the [[Georgian architecture|Georgian architectural style]] on the campus.<ref>{{cite book|title=Teaching Them: A Sesquicentennial Celebration of Texas Baptist Education|year=1996|publisher=Baptist General Convention of Texas|location=Dallas, Texas|pages=65–66}}</ref>

[[Image:Nation_Hall_&_Pilgrim_Chapel_at_DBU.jpg|left|thumb|Nation Hall (foreground) and Pilgrim Chapel]]

In 2009, the Patty and [[Lonnie "Bo" Pilgrim|Bo Pilgrim]] Chapel was dedicated. The structure is used for various events such as chapel services and concerts, and houses office space for the Graduate School of Ministry along with classrooms and a large multipurpose room. The inspiration for the exterior of the building came from the [[First Baptist Church in America]], located in [[Providence, Rhode Island]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Dallas Baptist University Dedicates Pilgrim Chapel|url=http://www.baptiststandard.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10260&Itemid=53|access-date=28 September 2011|newspaper=Baptist Standard|date=October 30, 2009|archive-date=6 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306111818/https://www.baptiststandard.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10260&Itemid=53|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Image:Horner Hall, Dallas Baptist University.jpg|right|thumb|Joan and Andy Horner Hall]]

In the fall of 2011, the university opened the Joan and Andy Horner Hall. Named after the founders of Premier Designs, Horner Hall houses the DBU communication department, the offices for the College of Fine Arts, a multipurpose classroom and video recording studio, a design lab, and a music business recording studio, designed by the Russ Berger Design Group. The exterior of the structure is modeled after [[Congress Hall]] located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baptiststandard.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12808&Itemid=53 |title=Baptist Standard - Baptist news, Texas Baptist Voices, Baptist commentary |access-date=2011-08-30 |archive-date=2016-03-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306110238/https://www.baptiststandard.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12808&Itemid=53 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2001, DBU-North<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dbu.edu/north|title=DBU North - Dallas Baptist University|work=dbu.edu|access-date=2015-10-19|archive-date=2015-10-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017052118/http://www.dbu.edu/north|url-status=live}}</ref> opened in [[Carrollton, Texas]] as DBU's first regional academic center, serving North Dallas and [[Collin County, Texas|Collin County]].  For several years, DBU-North was located in [[Frisco, Texas]], and in 2011, moved to Plano, Texas.<ref>{{cite news|title=DBU Moving North Campus to Plano|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news/2011/04/08/dbu-moving-north-campus-to-plano.html|access-date=28 September 2011|newspaper=Dallas Business Journal|date=April 11, 2011|archive-date=3 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203030630/http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news/2011/04/08/dbu-moving-north-campus-to-plano.html|url-status=live}}</ref> DBU also opened DBU-Hurst-Colleyville in Hurst in the summer of 2005.<ref>{{cite news|title=Around the State: DBU Opens New Center|url=http://www.baptiststandard.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9040&Itemid=53|newspaper=Baptist Standard|date=January 8, 2009|archive-date=July 5, 2020|access-date=September 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705200440/https://www.baptiststandard.com/?option=com_content&task=view&id=9040&Itemid=53|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2015, Jim and Sally Nation Hall opened its doors. A near replica of [[Monticello]], the building is the home of the Gary Cook School of Leadership, as well as other administrative offices. The building also houses several classrooms as well as a special event space situated in the dome of the building.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www4.dbu.edu/leadership/highlights |title=Highlights  |access-date=2015-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204052450/http://www4.dbu.edu/leadership/highlights |archive-date=2016-02-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Further locations for special programs and opportunities include the Department of Military Science at [[University of Texas at Arlington]] (Army ROTC), Aerospace Studies at [[Texas Christian University]] (Air Force ROTC), and the [[Dallas International University|Graduate Institute of Applied Linguistics]] in Dallas, Texas.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Staff|title=DBU Off-Campus Sites in the DFW Metro Area|url=https://www.dbu.edu/extension|access-date=2018-12-05|archive-date=2018-12-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206001905/https://www.dbu.edu/extension|url-status=live}}</ref>
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==Academics==

===Academic divisions===
The university is divided into seven colleges: the Mary C. Crowley College of Christian Faith, the Dorothy M. Bush College of Education, the College of Business, the College of Fine Arts, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and the College of Professional Studies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www3.dbu.edu/academics/undergraduate.asp|title=Undergraduate Degree Programs Online : Dbu.edu|work=dbu.edu|access-date=2014-09-28|archive-date=2014-09-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140923121851/http://www3.dbu.edu/academics/undergraduate.asp|url-status=live}}</ref> The university also houses two schools: the Graduate School of Ministry, as well as the Gary Cook School of Leadership.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dbu.edu/academics|title=Academics Programs, Online Education, DBU.edu|work=dbu.edu}}</ref> The university offers a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) in educational leadership through the Bush School of Education and a Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in leadership studies through the Cook School of Leadership.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www4.dbu.edu/leadership/|title=Dallas Baptist University - Gary Cook School of Leadership - Home|work=dbu.edu|access-date=2014-09-28|archive-date=2014-10-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006083806/http://www4.dbu.edu/leadership/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Accreditations and approvals===
Dallas Baptist University is [[Higher education accreditation in the United States|accredited]] by the Commission on Colleges of the [[Southern Association of Colleges and Schools]] and the [[National Association of Schools of Music]] (NASM).<ref>{{cite web|title=Institution Details |url=http://sacscoc.org/details.asp?instid=24960 |publisher=Southern Association of Colleges and Schools: Commission on Colleges |access-date=28 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405083112/http://sacscoc.org/details.asp?instid=24960 |archive-date=5 April 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Accredited Members |url=http://nasm.arts-accredit.org/index.jsp?page=List_Accredited_Members&memberId=7b1d966a18ffaa3dcffbc4fd0e0d8a95 |publisher=National Association of Schools of Music |access-date=28 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331184946/http://nasm.arts-accredit.org/index.jsp?page=List_Accredited_Members&memberId=7b1d966a18ffaa3dcffbc4fd0e0d8a95 |archive-date=31 March 2012 }}</ref> The College of Business is accredited by the [[Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs]] (ACBSP) to offer the Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) and the Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) business degrees.<ref>{{cite web |title=Current ACBSP Educational Institution Members |url=http://www.acbsp.org/p/cm/ld/fid=14 |publisher=Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713065626/http://www.acbsp.org/p/cm/ld/fid%3D14 |archive-date=July 13, 2011 }}</ref>

The teacher, principal and superintendent education programs of the university are approved by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC).<ref>{{cite web|title=Dallas Baptist University: Approved Certification Areas|url=http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index4.aspx?id=7503|publisher=Texas Education Agency|access-date=28 September 2011|archive-date=4 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404141245/http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index4.aspx?id=7503|url-status=dead}}</ref>

DBU is also affiliated with the [[Baptist General Convention of Texas]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Teaching Them: A Sesquicentennial Celebration of Texas Baptist Education|year=1996|publisher=Baptist General Convention of Texas|location=Dallas|pages=62}}</ref>

=== Institute for Global Engagement ===
The Institute for Global Engagement was founded at DBU in 2015 to be "a Christian, non-partisan think tank dedicated to addressing issues in the public square with biblical distinctiveness" and to be "a moral and spiritual catalyst for renewal in our culture."  The goal of the institute is to be interdisciplinary in bringing together experts and practitioners from a variety of fields to address issues from a distinctively Christian worldview.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dbu.edu/ige/about.html|title=About {{!}} The Institute for Global Engagement {{!}} Dallas Baptist University|website=www.dbu.edu|access-date=2020-01-11|archive-date=2020-01-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111185541/https://www.dbu.edu/ige/about.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Since its founding, the IGE has held several seminars and lectures featuring a variety of individuals, including author [[Eric Metaxas]], former presidential speech writer [[Michael Gerson]], political commentator [[Matthew Dowd]], former UN Ambassador [[Sam Brownback|Samuel Brownback]], and former [[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]] Gen. [[Jim Mattis]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dbu.edu/ige/previous-events.html|title=Previous Events {{!}} The Institute for Global Engagement {{!}} Dallas Baptist University|website=www.dbu.edu|access-date=2020-01-11|archive-date=2020-01-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111185540/https://www.dbu.edu/ige/previous-events.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dma.org/programs/event/general-jim-mattis|title=General Jim Mattis {{!}} Dallas Museum of Art|website=dma.org|access-date=2020-01-11|archive-date=2020-09-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927195317/https://dma.org/programs/event/general-jim-mattis|url-status=live}}</ref> The organization also produces ''The Daily Briefing'', an email that goes out three times a week covering the news of the day with a Christian perspective.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dbu.edu/ige/the-daily-briefing/index.html|title=The Daily Briefing {{!}} The Institute for Global Engagement {{!}} Dallas Baptist University|website=www.dbu.edu|access-date=2020-01-11|archive-date=2020-01-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111185553/https://www.dbu.edu/ige/the-daily-briefing/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Rankings and recognition ===
''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'' ranked Dallas Baptist University #392-434 among "National Universities" in its 2024 college and university rankings.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dallas Baptist University |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/dallas-baptist-university-3560 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250423233706/https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/dallas-baptist-university-3560 |archive-date=April 23, 2025 |access-date=March 29, 2025 |website=U.S. News and World Report }}</ref>

==Traditions==
In its early years, Dallas Baptist University's mascot was the Indians, but in the late 1980s, it was changed to the Patriot, and the school colors were changed from blue and gold to the more patriotic theme colors of red, white, and blue.

=== Cross Ring ===
The Official DBU Cross Ring serves as a symbol of the Christ-centered education students experience at DBU. The ring features many university symbols, including the Mahler Student Center, the Fishers of Men statue, as well as the university seal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dbu.edu/about/cross-ring|title=Cross Ring|work=dbu.edu|access-date=2015-10-19|archive-date=2015-10-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018183430/http://www.dbu.edu/about/cross-ring|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Mr. Patriot===
One of DBU's longest-running traditions, stemming from when DBU's mascot was the Indians, is the Mr. Patriot pageant. This anticipated event, formerly named Mr. Big Chief from 1981 to 2018, allows male students to display their skills, humor, and creativity. The show, a mock beauty pageant, begins with an opening number performed by all the contestants and is followed by three categories: the stamp act (formalwear), the tea act (beachwear), and the intolerable act (talent). The categories were formerly known as just talent, beachwear, and formalwear. Magic tricks, lip-syncing, and musical interpretations are just some of the ways contestants have attempted to gain points in the past. The contestant with the most points at the end wins the coveted title and has the right to wear the coat and hat that have replaced the headdress on display in the Dean Learning Center as the prize.<ref>{{cite book|last=Williams|first=Michael|title=To God Be The Glory: A Centennial History of Dallas Baptist University|year=1998|publisher=Summit Publishing|pages=171}}</ref>

===Family events===
Family Weekend and Grandparents Day allow students to invite their families into their lives on campus. Notable events include the Family Softball Game, Movie on the Quad, and Art Show as well as a family service project. Families are invited to fellowship with their students as well as the university faculty and staff through community activities and other fun events.<ref name= "Activities">{{Citation| title = DBU Family Weekend| url = http://www2.dbu.edu/student-life/index.php?action=upcoming-events&page=family-weekend-events| access-date = 2015-10-19| archive-date = 2016-03-04| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304074014/http://www2.dbu.edu/student-life/index.php?action=upcoming-events&page=family-weekend-events| url-status = live}}</ref>

=== Unity Walk ===
Beginning in 2017, DBU has held an annual Unity Walk on [[Martin Luther King Jr. Day]] (MLK Day), with the DBU community coming together to remember the world of [[Martin Luther King Jr.]], and pray for the dream of a unified country to become a reality. In addition to the walk, a special speaker each year recites King's famous "[[I Have a Dream]]" speech. Also during the day, students, faculty, and staff participate in the service projects in Dallas as a part of the national MLK Day of Service.<ref>{{Citation|title=MLK Unity Walk|url=https://www.facebook.com/DBUPatriots/videos/10155362713153753/|language=en|access-date=2020-01-11|archive-date=2025-01-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120212107/https://www.facebook.com/DBUPatriots/videos/10155362713153753/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Athletics==
{{main|Dallas Baptist Patriots}}
Dallas Baptist University's Patriot Athletic Department sponsors 15 intercollegiate athletics teams that compete in the [[NCAA|National Collegiate Athletic Association]] ([[NCAA]]) and the [[National Christian College Athletic Association]] ([[NCCAA]]). DBU also sponsors cheerleading and beginning in the fall of 2010, ice hockey at the club levels.  All teams compete at the [[NCAA Division II]] level and compete in the [[Lone Star Conference]], with the exception of the baseball team, which is a member of the [[NCAA Division I|Division I]] [[Conference USA]], which they joined in the 2014 season. Although the baseball team played as an independent for several years, they accepted an invitation to join the [[Western Athletic Conference]] for the 2013 season.<ref>{{cite web|title=WAC Adds DBU, CSUB in 2012-13|url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/baseball/article/2011-09-19/wac-adds-dbu-csub-2012-13|publisher=NCAA|access-date=29 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015221255/http://www.ncaa.com/news/baseball/article/2011-09-19/wac-adds-dbu-csub-2012-13|archive-date=15 October 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>  DBU also sponsors six intercollegiate club sports. The Diamond Belles are also an active part of the Patriot Athletic Department, serving as an auxiliary group.

In 2021, the women's golf team won the NCAA Division II National Championship.<ref>{{Cite web|last=NCAA.com|title=See the birdie putt that clinched DBU's DII women's golf national championship {{!}} NCAA.com|url=https://www.ncaa.com/live-updates/golf-women/d2/dbu-wins-2021-ncaa-dii-womens-golf-championship|access-date=2021-12-30|website=www.ncaa.com|language=en|archive-date=2021-12-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230153049/https://www.ncaa.com/live-updates/golf-women/d2/dbu-wins-2021-ncaa-dii-womens-golf-championship|url-status=live}}</ref>

The DBU baseball team continues to be a premier sport for the school, with the team returning to an NCAA Super Regionals for the second time in school history in 2021, falling to Virginia in Game 3.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-06-14|title=Dallas Baptist tries to put an unbelievable season in perspective after falling just short of the College World Series|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/other-schools/2021/06/14/dallas-baptist-eliminated-one-game-short-of-college-world-series-falls-to-virginia-in-super-regional/|access-date=2021-12-30|website=Dallas News|language=en|archive-date=2021-12-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230153051/https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/other-schools/2021/06/14/dallas-baptist-eliminated-one-game-short-of-college-world-series-falls-to-virginia-in-super-regional/|url-status=live}}</ref> 

[[File:Joan and Andy Horner Ballpark, Dallas Baptist University.jpg|right|thumb|Horner Ballpark]]

The Athletic Department also features a Christ-centered Patriot Discipleship program, entitled "Champions for Christ," as well as the Athletic Department's Global Missions Initiative with athletic mission trips to Guatemala,<ref>{{cite web|last=Henson|first=George|title=DBU team hits home run with Guatemalan children|url=http://www.baptiststandard.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7064&Itemid=135|publisher=Baptist Standard|access-date=2011-09-04|archive-date=2012-09-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910224520/http://www.baptiststandard.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7064&Itemid=135|url-status=live}}</ref> Northern England,<ref>{{cite web|title=DBU tennis teams share gospel in England|url=http://www.baptiststandard.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11417&Itemid=53|publisher=Baptist Standard|access-date=4 September 2011|archive-date=10 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910224639/http://www.baptiststandard.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11417&Itemid=53|url-status=live}}</ref> Peru,<ref>{{cite web|title=DBU women's teams bring joy to orphans in Peru|url=http://www.baptiststandard.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9328&Itemid=53|publisher=Baptist Standard|access-date=2011-09-04|archive-date=2012-09-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910224703/http://www.baptiststandard.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9328&Itemid=53|url-status=live}}</ref> and South Korea.<ref>{{cite web|title=DBU students share basketball, cheerleading and the gospel in Korea|url=http://www.baptiststandard.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10304&Itemid=53|publisher=Baptist Standard|access-date=2011-09-04|archive-date=2012-09-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910224723/http://www.baptiststandard.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10304&Itemid=53|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Teams===
A member of the [[Lone Star Conference]], Dallas Baptist University sponsors eight men's and seven women's teams in [[NCAA]]-sanctioned sports:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dbupatriots.com/|title=The Official Site of Dallas Baptist University Patriots Athletics|work=dbupatriots.com|access-date=2013-02-19|archive-date=2013-03-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302224500/http://dbupatriots.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> DBU is also home to a debate team that competes within the International Public Debate Association (IPDA). The team began competing in the fall of 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DBU Debate Team {{!}} Dallas Baptist University |url=https://www.dbu.edu/debate/ |access-date=2023-06-13 |website=www.dbu.edu |archive-date=2023-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613192210/https://www.dbu.edu/debate/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 

{| class="wikitable"
!Men's intercollegiate sports
!Women's intercollegiate sports
!Club sports
|-
|Baseball
|Cross country
|Ice hockey
|-
|Basketball
|Golf
|Cheerleading
|-
|Cross country
|Soccer
|Drill/dance (Patriettes)
|-
|Golf
|Tennis
|Bass fishing
|-
|Track and field
|Track and field
|Men's lacrosse
|-
|Tennis
|Volleyball
|Bowling
|-
|Soccer
|Stunt
|Esports
|}
* '''Note''' = The [[NCAA Division I|Division I]] baseball team competes as an affiliate member of [[Conference USA]].

==Notable alumni==
* [[Vic Black]], professional baseball player
* [[David O'Neal Brown]], former chief of the [[Dallas Police Department]]
* [[Lew Ford]], professional baseball player
* [[Ryan Goins]], professional baseball player
* [[Kari Jobe]], Christian music artist
* [[Phil King (Texas politician)|Phil King]], member of the [[Texas House of Representatives]]
* [[Les Lancaster]], professional baseball player
* [[Jason LaRue]], professional baseball player
* [[Clifton McNeely]], professional basketball player
* [[Scott Mullen]], professional baseball player
* [[Colin Poche]], professional baseball player
* [[Freddy Sanchez]], professional baseball player
* [[Gwyn Shea]], former [[Secretary of State of Texas|Texas secretary of state]] (2002–2003) and a member of the Texas House of Representatives (1983–1993)
* [[Ron Simmons (Texas politician)|Ron Simmons]], member of the Texas House of Representatives for District 65 in [[Denton County, Texas|Denton County]] since 2013
* [[Tricia Woodgett]], film producer, director, distributor, and screenwriter
* [[Ben Zobrist]], professional baseball player<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/14324454/ben-zobrist-chicago-cubs-agree-terms-4-year-56-million-deal|title=Cubs, Ben Zobrist agree to terms on 4-year deal worth $56M|date=9 December 2015|publisher=ESPN|agency=ESPN|last2=Olney|first2=Buster|last3=Marchand|first3=Andrew|last4=Bowden|first4=Jim|last5=The Associated Press|last1=Rogers|first1=Jesse|access-date=10 December 2015|archive-date=22 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322061707/http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14324454/ben-zobrist-chicago-cubs-agree-terms-4-year-56-million-deal|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons cat}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://dbupatriots.com/ Athletics website]

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[[Category:Dallas Baptist University| ]]
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