Texas A&M University-Commerce athletics has introduced the fast-pitch softball program to its list of existing varsity sports. With the introduction of softball, the Lions have become the last Lone Star Conference School to sponsor the sport.

The Lion softball program will begin competing in the 2014-15 academic year and will play its home games at the Cain Sports Complex.

The athletic director, Ryan Ivey, said that they will immediately launch a national hunt to select its first-ever prospective head coach. Interested softball student-athletes can begin enrolling at A&M-Commerce in the fall of 2013.

"This is an historic moment for the Lion Athletic Department," said Ivey. "The northeast Texas region is full of quality softball talent and we look forward to having the opportunity to provide for them a place to participate in intercollegiate athletics. Adding a softball program will be a tremendous benefit to the institution and Commerce community. What a great day to be a Lion."

Currently, the university features six women's sports - basketball, soccer, volleyball, golf, cross country, and track and field and five men's sports - football, basketball, golf, cross country, and track and field;

Texas A&M University-Commerce is the second largest member of the Texas A&M University System and fifth oldest public university institution in the state. The university comprises of over 12,000 students.