NCAA -- Davenport University and Purdue University Northwest made big strides on their paths to full NCAA Division II membership with the NCAA’s approval of the athletic department’s advancement to year two of the three-year process. Davenport and Purdue Northwest are the newest members of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) and will begin competition this fall.
"We are excited to take the next step in our transition towards NCAA Division II active membership status," said Dr. Richard Pappas, president of Davenport University. "Participating in the NCAA and the GLIAC aligns with our Vision 2020 and allows our coaches and student-athletes to compete at the next level of athletic excellence."
“We are on a roll," PNW Chancellor Thomas Keon said. "This is a significant step as we successfully progress through the membership process. The dedication and hard work of our campus community demonstrates our continued commitment to NCAA Division II and the GLIAC membership.”
Davenport and Purdue Northwest each received notification from the NCAA Division II Membership Committee that the programs have successfully completed candidacy year one in 2016-17 and were recommended to advance to candidacy year two.
"We are excited to move forward in the process to become full members of NCAA Division II,” Director of Athletics Rick Costello said. “It has been an amazing team effort by our student-athletes, coaches, staff, faculty, administrators, and senior leadership team to make this transition, and as we continue to strive toward excellence in NCAA Division II.”
"This is very exciting news for Davenport University and our athletic department. I want to thank all of our campus community for their commitment and assistance in this process," said Paul Lowden, Davenport's director of athletics. "While we still have more work ahead of us, this is another important step toward active membership in NCAA Division II and the GLIAC, which will further enhance the university and the experience for our student-athletes."
Full membership in NCAA Division II is a three-year process with the Panthers and Pride participating in candidacy year two during the upcoming 2017–18 athletic year. Davenport and Purdue Northwest can move on to year three of the NCAA Division II membership process in 2018–19. Both schools will be eligible for NCAA postseason play upon completion of the three-year membership process.
ABOUT DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY
School: Davenport University
Location: Grand Rapids, Mich.
Founded: 1866
Enrollment: 3,174 at Main Campus
Nickname: Panthers
Colors: Red, Black & White
President: Richard J. Pappas
Director of Athletics: Paul Lowden
Athletics Website: www.dupanthers.com
Sponsored Sports (20): Baseball, Men's Basketball, Men's Cross Country, Football, Men's Golf, Men's Soccer, Men's Tennis, Men's Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field, Wrestling, Softball, Women's Basketball, Women's Cross Country, Women's Golf, Women's Lacrosse, Women's Soccer, Women's Tennis, Women's Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field, Womens' Volleyball
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
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
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.
About NCAA Division II:
NCAA Division II is one of the three membership divisions at the National Collegiate Athletic Association, an organization comprising more than 1,200 institutions, conferences and affiliated organizations. Division II is a group of institutions and conferences that serve almost 90,000 student-athletes nationwide, including Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. The emphasis for the student-athlete experience in Division II is a comprehensive program of learning and development. The Division II approach provides growth opportunities through academic achievement, learning in high-level athletic competition and the development of societal attitudes in service to the community. The balance and integration of these different areas of learning provide Division II student-athletes with a path to graduation while cultivating a variety of skills and knowledge for life ahead. For additional information on Division II efforts, visit ncaa.org.