Walsh University Progresses to Provisional Year in NCAA Division II Membership Process

Walsh University Progresses to Provisional Year in NCAA Division II Membership Process

Release courtesy of the Walsh University Sports Information Department

NORTH CANTON, Ohio - Walsh University received word from the National Collegiate Athletic Association that the institution has been approved for the provisional year (three) in the NCAA membership process.

Walsh University received word from the National Collegiate Athletic Association that the institution has been approved for the provisional year (three) in the NCAA membership process.

The result moves the Cavalier athletics program a step closer to becoming a full-fledged Division II member in time for the 2013-14 academic year.

The NCAA monitored the school's progress over the past 12 months before issuing a positive recommendation for the second year in a row.

Director of Athletics Dale Howard took the phone call from the NCAA this morning. As expected, Howard was thrilled with the school reaching another milestone in what is a demanding three-year procedure.

“We are all extremely excited to be taking the next step in the process of becoming full members of the NCAA II,” exclaimed Howard.  “The Membership Committee has developed a very thorough process that results in institutions being ready to move into the NCAA II with all the necessary staffing, policies and procedures in place to be quality members.  The decision by the committee to move us ahead to Provisional Status validates all of the hard work that the entire athletic department, the Compliance Committee, the Registrar’s office and the Financial Aid office have been doing to ensure we will be as successful in the NCAA as we were in the NAIA. We will truly be proud to be sporting the NCAA logo beginning this fall, on our uniforms and around campus, that so denotes this accomplishment.”

In essence, the provisional year in the NCAA membership process requires the University to function like a Division II institution. Besides maintaining the filing of necessary paperwork, the athletic department faces a key compliance audit in the fall.

Seven colleges and universities in Ohio -- Ashland, Central State, Findlay, Lake Erie, Ohio Dominican, Tiffin, and Urbana -- are active NCAA Div. II members.  Cedarville and Notre Dame just completed the three-year transition process and will become full members for the 2012-13 year.  Malone and Ursuline University, like Walsh, is on track for full membership in 2013-14.

Walsh University NCAA membership process time line:

July 12, 2010 - Application approved for Candidacy Year 1.

July 11, 2011 - Approval granted for Candidacy Year 2.

July 13, 2012 - Approval granted for Provisional Year.

July, 2013 - Potential announcement of full NCAA Division II membership.