Wayland Baptist University was established in 1908 by pioneer physician Dr. James Henry Wayland, who believed that education should be accessible to all and that it should be grounded in faith in Christ. Wayland is the oldest institution of higher education in continuous existence on the High Plains of Texas. Wayland competes in the NAIA Division I as a member of the Sooner Athletic Conference and the Central States Football League. Intercollegiate teams for men and women include cross country, track and field, soccer, basketball, and diving, golf, cheer and dance, and Wayland is the first university in the state of Texas to compete in men’s and women’s wrestling. Wayland also competes in baseball, football, and women’s volleyball.