BAY CITY, Mich. -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) is pleased to announce the addition of Purdue University Northwest after formally being accepted into the NCAA Division II membership process as provisional members.
Purdue Northwest is a successful member competing in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The Pride of Purdue University Northwest hail from two campuses 35 miles apart in Hammond and Westville, Indiana just outside the Chicago metropolitan area.
Purdue Northwest's GLIAC membership privileges are contigent upon continuing to excel through the NCAA Division II membership program, a three-year endeavor that prepares institutions for membership as successful Division II athletics programs. Although PNW will compete in the GLIAC starting with the 2017-18 season, Purdue Northwest will be ineligible for postseason play until becoming full members in 2019-20. PNW will be eligible for regular-season GLIAC championships when they begin competing next season.
Purdue Northwest will enter the conference in 2017-18 along with Davenport University who gained acceptance this summer on July 19th.
The expansion efforts of the GLIAC were aided by the services of Athletics Staffing and Consultants (ASC), which provides colleges, universities and conferences special consulting expertise in a multitude of areas which includes conference membership enhancements. Dr. Kurt Patberg led this expansion effort on behalf of ASC.
The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference will feature 12 member institutions from Michigan, Ohio and Indiana sponsoring 21 NCAA Division II sports beginning in 2017-18. Founded in 1972, the GLIAC has developed into one of the most nationally competitive athletic conferences, both on the field and in the classroom. With Davenport and Purdue Northwest scheduled to compete in the GLIAC starting with the 2017-18 academic year, the conference will consist of Ashland University, Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University, Lake Superior State University, Michigan Technological University, Northern Michigan University, Northwood University, Saginaw Valley State University, Tiffin University and Wayne State University.
PURDUE UNIVERSITY NORTHWEST QUOTES
"The NCAA's acceptance of our application is exciting news as we can now prepare to align our intercollegiate athletics program within an organization of institutions similar to our newly-unified Purdue University Northwest in size, philosophy and commitment to overall student success," PNW Chancellor Thomas L. Keon said. "The steadfastness to academic and athletic achievement embraced by NCAA Division II and GLIAC resonates as an outstanding opportunity we are eager to experience and provide to our student-athletes."
"On behalf of the Purdue Northwest Pride student athletes and coaches, I am thrilled that the NCAA accepted our membership application," stated Rick Costello, Purdue Northwest Director of Athletics. "I look forward to amazing journey filled with great competition against NCAA Division II and GLIAC institutions. I would like to thank all the students, faculty, staff, coaches, administration, alumni and the Northwest Indiana community for all their efforts and contributions in making this historic achievement possible. I sincerely appreciate the confidence displayed by the NCAA and GLIAC in the PNW Pride."
GREAT LAKES INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE QUOTES
"We are excited to receive notice of the NCAA's approval of Purdue University Northwest," stated GLIAC Interim Commissioner Jeff Ligney. "We are pleased to have this institution become the newest member of the conference and look forward to the opportunities and positive attributes Purdue Northwest will bring as we enter a new era in the GLIAC."
"We congratulate Purdue Northwest on receiving an invitation to become an NCAA member and we will support them throughout the review process," said Donald Bachand, president of Saginaw Valley State University and chair of the GLIAC Council of Presidents. "We remain committed to maintaining the GLIAC's standing among the highest performing conferences in NCAA Division II, and we are confident Purdue Northwest understands the rugged athletic competition they will face as we build relationships, form rivalries, and ultimately prepare graduates for challenging careers. I would like to personally congratulate Dr. Thomas Keon, Chancellor of Purdue University Northwest, on achieving this step forward. I look forward to working with him to ensure success for GLIAC student-athletes in the classroom and on the fields of competition."
ABOUT PURDUE UNIVERSITY NORTHWEST
School: Purdue University Northwest
Location: Hammond, Ind. & Westville, Ind. (two campuses)
Founded: 2016
Enrollment: 15,000
Nickname: Pride
Colors: Gold and Black
Affiliation: National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
Conference: Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference
Chancellor: Dr. Thomas Keon
Director of Athletics: Rick Costello
Athletics Website: www.pnwathletics.com
Sponsored Sports (13): Baseball, Men's Basketball, Men's Cross Country, Men's Golf, Men's Soccer, Men's Tennis, Softball, Women's Basketball, Women's Cross Country, Women's Golf, Women's Soccer, Women's Tennis, Womens' Volleyball