CEDARVILLE, Ohio - Cedarville University received the phone call today that it has long anticipated. The National Collegiate Athletic Association notified the institution that the Yellow Jackets are now active Division II members.
“Today is a significant day in the life of Cedarville University because it signals the end of a rigorous three-year process of approval and the beginning of our formal membership as a member of the NCAA,” said President William E. Brown, Ph.D.
“With our status affirmed by the NCAA, Cedarville is positioned athletically to help the University achieve its vision of becoming one of the most influential Christ-centered universities in the country.”
The NCAA closely monitored CU’s progress ever since it approved the school’s application a little more than three years ago on July 10, 2009. The details of the membership procedure were managed by Athletic Director Dr. Alan Geist.
“Obviously, we are excited about this announcement,” exclaimed Geist, who oversees a department that includes 16 varsity sports and cheerleading. “It has been a long process, but we are better off for it. It is hard to believe that we have been working toward this day for almost four years.
“As we take this step, we are committed to maintaining Cedarville University’s mission as Division II members. We desire to be at the forefront in the NCAA as we continue our emphasis on glorifying God through excellence in education, individual growth, and leadership development.”
The provisional year in the NCAA membership process required Cedarville, a school of 3,300 students, to function like a Division II institution without the benefits of possible post-season competition. Key requirements that had to be met during the 2011-12 academic year included the following:
• The NCAA conducted a compliance audit of the athletics program in November, 2011.
• The University attended a meeting for provisional institutions at the NCAA Convention in January, 2012.
• CU needed to complete the Annual Report/Institutional Self Study Guide (ISSG) by June 1, 2012. The report needed to address any issues found as a part of the audit.
Having successfully completed the membership process, the Yellow Jackets can now devote their full attention to aiding the development of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference - the newest NCAA Division II league in the country. Cedarville is a charter member along with local rivals Central State University and Urbana University as well as Kentucky Wesleyan College, Trevecca Nazarene University (Tenn.), and Ursuline College (Ohio).
The G-MAC features provisional members Georgetown College (Ky.) and the University of Virginia’s College at Wise as part of its expansion project. The league will sponsor 12 championship sports in 2012-13 with the intention to begin competition as an active NCAA Division II member conference in 2013-14.
Cedarville University will also retain its longtime membership with the National Christian College Athletic Association. The NCCAA affiliation provides additional post-season opportunities for the Yellow Jackets, who claimed 2012 national titles in men’s basketball and women’s indoor track & field.
Cedarville University NCAA membership process time line:
• March 23, 2009 - Announcement made that CU will apply for NCAA membership.
• July 10, 2009 - Application approved for Candidacy Year 1.
• July 9, 2010 - Approval granted for Candidacy Year 2.
• July 8, 2011 - Approval granted for Provisional Year.
• July 12, 2012 - Approval granted for active NCAA Division II membership.
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