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BAY CITY, Mich. — The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced that it has officially granted provisional membership to Lake Erie College (Ohio) and Ohio Dominican University, beginning July 1, 2010.

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The GLIAC Presidents Council, made up of the presidents of the league’s 12 current member institutions, voted to officially accept Lake Erie and Ohio Dominican as provisional members in a meeting on Tuesday held at the University of Findlay. The vote comes two weeks after the GLIAC Executive Council voted to recommend to the Presidents Council that both institutions be granted membership at its annual spring meeting, after LEC and ODU made formal presentations to the league in Gaylord, Michigan on June 1.

“The addition of the these two institutions is the result of tremendous partnership with Presidents Council, the GLIAC office, the GLIAC member institutions and our new members,” stated Grand Valley State University President and chair of the GLIAC Presidents Council Dr. Thomas Haas. This expansion will definitely help us achieve our goals of reducing missed class time for our student-athletes and reducing travel costs, while strengthening our league both academically and athletically.

“I am pleased with the progress we have made in bringing in the two new members,” said retiring GLIAC Commissioner Tom Brown, who oversaw the expansion process. “We have been involved in discussions with both institutions over the past two years about GLIAC and NCAA Division II membership. Once we determined that these institutions fit in well with our current members, we moved rapidly to bring them in.”

The two institutions will initially be granted provisional status as both Lake Erie and Ohio Dominican are still in the process of gaining full NCAA Division II status. LEC first began the transition process during the 2006-07 academic year when it started the two-year exploratory phase, coming from NCAA Division III status. Ohio Dominican, formerly a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), is currently finishing its first exploratory year in the process of entering Division II. Full member status within the GLIAC will be granted to each institution when it achieves full Division II membership.

”We are very excited about the addition of Lake Erie College and Ohio Dominican as provisional members,” stated incoming GLIAC Commissioner Dell Robinson. The institutions are an amazing fit within our geographical footprint and the growth of our conference in the state of Ohio will be provide exposure in untapped media markets for the GLIAC . The growth will also help offer access and opportunity for prospective student-athletes throughout the state of Ohio within the region and throughout their respective communities.”

Founded in 1856, Lake Erie currently has over 1,200 students and will offer 20 varsity sports in 2009-10. Located in Painesville, Ohio, LEC is an independent, liberal arts institution that challenges its student’s to, “get in and stand out” in academics, athletics and student activities. With 34 undergraduate majors offered and the option to design an individualized major to fit career and academic goals, Lake Erie’s innovative learning experiences focus on helping students to meet career and life challenges, preparing for a world that is increasingly interdependent.

“Lake Erie College is delighted to become a member of the premier Division II conference in the nation,” said LEC President Michael T. Victor. “We’ve had many initiatives in recent years, but I truly believe the move to the GLIAC and Division II will be one of our most successful enrollment endeavors and help propel us to the next level.”

Ohio Dominican, located in Columbus, Ohio, currently offers 14 intercollegiate sports. Founded in the Dominican tradition in 1911, Ohio Dominican is a four-year liberal arts institution. With over 3,100 students and offering undergraduate degrees in 50 majors, ODU uses a student-oriented approach, with a commitment to quality teaching and learning and a number of academic programs of distinction.

“This is a huge accomplishment for Ohio Dominican University and our athletic program as we continue our journey to full membership status within the NCAA,” said Ron Seiffert, ODU Interim President. “We are honored to join such a competitive and elite conference as the GLIAC and we’re delighted that Lake Erie College will be joining us. I am particularly grateful for all of the hard work undertaken by our students, coaches, faculty and staff that helped achieve this milestone.”

Founded in 1972, the GLIAC has been a leader in the advancement and promotion of intercollegiate athletics for men and women for 37 years. The league currently boasts 12 full members, nine of which are located in Michigan, and three in Ohio. The league’s Ohio institutions include Ashland University, the University of Findlay, and Tiffin University, which is in its first year of membership. The GLIAC’s members in Michigan include: Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University, Hillsdale College, Lake Superior State University, Michigan Technological University, Northern Michigan University, Northwood University, Saginaw Valley State University, and Wayne State University.

The GLIAC conducts championships in 20 sports, 10 for men and 10 for women. The GLIAC Executive Council is comprised of three representatives from each institution - its director of athletics, senior woman administrator, and faculty athletics representative.