Official Release from Tiffin University
INDIANAPOLIS – On behalf of the Presidents Council, the Great Midwest Athletic Conference officially announced the admission of Tiffin University for full membership to the league following a release on Thursday, March 30.
Tiffin is scheduled to officially enter league competition beginning in the 2018-19 academic year. The conference is already poised to expand for the upcoming 2017-18 academic year with the additions of the University of Findlay, Hillsdale College, Lake Erie College, Ohio Dominican University and Walsh University.
The addition of Tiffin increases the total to 14 league member institutions in 2018-19.
Currently in its fifth year of existence since being recognized as an official NCAA Division II conference, the Great Midwest currently has eight full member institutions and two associate member schools competing in 20 championship sport offerings.
“The Great Midwest is pleased to welcome Tiffin University to membership,” stated Great Midwest Commissioner Tom Daeger. “President (Dr. Lillian) Schumacher and Athletics Director Lonny Allen have developed a tremendous athletic department that is a perennial standout in Division II athletics, both regionally and nationally. The institution will make an immediate impact in the conference and maintains a shared vision on the future of the league.”
Tiffin University is a private institution that was founded in 1888 and is located in Tiffin, Ohio. The Dragons’ athletic department has been a member of NCAA Division II since the 2007-08 academic year, competing previously at the NAIA level.
The Dragons are currently ranked 28th in the 2016-17 Learfield Director’s Cup Standings that were released on March 30. Tiffin recently celebrated back-to-back NCAA Division II Men’s Indoor Track & Field team titles that included three different events crowned as national champs.
Tiffin features 22 intercollegiate sport offerings, including emerging Great Midwest sports swimming and diving and wrestling. All 22 sports will be competing in the Conference in 2018-19 as the league expands to sponsor 23 championships.
Tiffin currently competes as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC).
“Tiffin is an ideal fit for the Conference and will support enhanced sport sponsorship and improved scheduling opportunities for all league members,” said Daeger. “We are appreciative of the partnership that has been forged with the institution and eagerly await its contributions to the Conference.”