NCAA Approves McKendree University for Provisional Year in Division II

(LEBANON, Ill., August 30) - McKendree University is one step closer to becoming full members of NCAA Division II.

On Thursday, university officials learned that McKendree was approved for its provisional year in the NCAA Division II membership process. The provisional year status comes in year three of a three-year transition towards NCAA Division II membership. A successful year in the provisional status would allow McKendree to become full NCAA members in time for the 2013-14 academic year.

“This has been a challenging transition for McKendree, and this announcement validates the hard work put forth by many groups and individuals,” said McKendree president Dr. James Dennis. “Our student-athletes and coaches have done an excellent job in maintaining our traditions during this time. We’re excited to be in the final phase of this transition and look forward to becoming full and competitive members of NCAA Division II.”

The provisional year requires McKendree to function like an NCAA Division II institution. That includes full compliance with all NCAA rules and regulations, adhering to recruiting and scheduling guidelines, and the filing of all necessary paperwork within the organization. McKendree will also have a mandatory evaluation of its compliance program in the fall.

“Today marks a great day for our student-athletes, the McKendree community and our fans,” said Chuck Brueggemann, director of athletics at McKendree. “Our coaches, staff and administrators have worked hard to make this moment a reality. This is the beginning of a new era in the long and storied history of McKendree athletics.”

During its Year Two Candidacy period this past year, McKendree accomplished several goals. Numerous committees were formed and began to actively function within the University’s framework. Committees for compliance, athletic oversight and gender equity are included in that grouping, as well as the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), which is comprised of one student-athlete from each of the institution’s 21 intercollegiate sports.

Also in 2011-12, women’s lacrosse was officially added as McKendree’s 21^st intercollegiate sport. Brittany Poist was hired as the first coach for the program, and the Bearcat women’s lacrosse squad is slated to make its debut in the spring. It was also decided that women’s bowling will compete as an NCAA-sponsored sport beginning this fall.

Back in the fall of 2010 – during the Year One Candidacy period – McKendree was accepted into the membership of the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The Bearcats will officially begin competing as members of the GLVC this fall. McKendree does field teams in all 18 sports that the GLVC sponsors: football, men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s indoor track and field, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s tennis, and men’s and women’s outdoor track and field.

The Bearcats will be eligible for GLVC championships in football, cross country, men’s soccer, indoor track and field, women’s golf and outdoor track and field in 2012-13.

 

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