GLIAC. — The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has offered affiliate membership status to Augustana's men's swimming and diving program and has offered an additional affiliate membership to St. Cloud State in men's soccer. Both programs will officially begin their affiliate membership in the conference on July 1, 2021.
"The GLIAC is extremely excited to welcome Augustana's men's swimming and diving program and St. Cloud State's men's soccer program," stated GLIAC Commissioner Kris Dunbar. "Both institutions have a long history of athletic success, and we are thrilled they have chosen to introduce two programs that will provide more opportunities for student-athletes while strengthening the competition in the GLIAC."
Augustana and St. Cloud State's affiliate membership applications were recently approved by the GLIAC Council of Presidents, and both programs will be participating in their inaugural seasons during the 2021-22 academic year. Both Institutions will also continue to compete as full members in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
The Augustana Vikings will become the seventh member of GLIAC men's swimming and diving and the second affiliate institution, joining the St. Cloud State Huskies. The five GLIAC men's swimming and diving full-member programs include Davenport, Grand Valley State, Northern Michigan, Saginaw Valley State and Wayne State.
“This is a great opportunity for our men’s swimming & diving program,” Augustana Director of Athletics Josh Morton said. “After we announced in November our intention to add men’s swimming & diving, we went to work to find the right fit and that was with the GLIAC. We are excited for the future of our program here at Augustana and allowing our student-athletes a chance to compete for a championship.”
Men's soccer will become St. Cloud State's second affiliate program competing in the GLIAC and the second affiliate men's soccer program alongside Upper Iowa. The five full-time GLIAC institutions consist of Davenport, Northern Michigan, Northwood, Purdue Northwest and Saginaw Valley State.
“We are so excited and grateful for this opportunity to join the GLIAC for the fall season,” commented head men’s soccer coach Sean Holmes. “Our intention is to grow collegiate soccer in the state of Minnesota and expand the NCAA Division II footprint. This opportunity is a great way to grow both our program and the game in an outstanding and competitive conference.”
In addition to men's soccer and men's swimming and diving, the GLIAC includes affiliate members in the sport of women's lacrosse.
About the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), founded in 1972, has been a leader in the advancement and promotion of intercollegiate athletics for men and women for 48 years. The charter members of the GLIAC were Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University, Lake Superior State University, Northwood University, and Saginaw State University. The current membership now includes 12 full members: Ashland University, Davenport University, Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University, Lake Superior State University, Michigan Technological University, Northern Michigan University, Northwood University, Purdue University Northwest, Saginaw Valley State University, Wayne State University, and the University of Wisconsin Parkside. The Conference has grown to offer championships in 21 sports while rising to prominence on the national level as GLIAC teams and student-athletes have achieved success both in the classroom and on the fields of play.
