Official Thomas More Announcement
Thomas More Athletics Website
INDIANAPOLIS (August 18, 2021) - The Great Midwest Athletic Conference announced today that Thomas More University has been approved for provisional membership. The institution, located in Crestview Hills, Ky., will become the league's 14th member and begin competition in 2023-24 if accepted as a provisional member of NCAA Division II next July.
Acceptance by the Great Midwest is the first step in the process of applying for membership in NCAA Division II. Over the next six months, Thomas More will prepare a comprehensive feasibility study to further assess readiness to make this transition and will finalize an application for the NCAA by no later than February 1, 2022.
“The Great Midwest is proud to welcome Thomas More University as a provisional member of the Conference,” said Great Midwest Commissioner Tom Daeger. “The Thomas More mission and profile aligns with the Great Midwest and the institution is well-positioned to take this step. It is evident the Saints are committed to continuing their history of athletic success within the Division II ranks. We look forward to working with President Chillo and his talented team as they implement their athletic vision and prepare their application for NCAA Division II membership,”
If approved to enter the NCAA Division II membership process, the University will become a provisional member of NCAA Division II and the Great Midwest for the 2022-23 academic year but will continue to compete in the NAIA for that period of time. The University will retain NAIA membership until the completion of the 2022-23 academic year and will complete two remaining years as provisional members of the Great Midwest and the NCAA. Beginning in the 2023-24 academic year, the University will compete in the Great Midwest and will be eligible for conference championships and tournaments. Upon successful completion of the NCAA Division II membership process, the University would be able to compete in NCAA tournaments starting in the 2025-26 academic year.
“As a key strategic initiative in the University’s strategic plan, Lighting the Way, we have spent the better part of the past year assessing this opportunity as we want to ensure that our student-athletes have the very best experience while we enhance the regional position of the University. The decision to join the Great Midwest and apply for NCAA DII membership will greatly assist our efforts as we look to bolster our academic and athletic reputation in the region,” said President Joseph Chillo, LP.D.
Thomas More sponsors 23 of 25 intercollegiate sports that are currently offered as Great Midwest Championship events. Founded in 1921, Thomas More is a private Catholic institution within the conference’s geographical footprint located just over the border from Cincinnati and the state line of Ohio where nine of the league’s 12 full member institutions call home.
The University currently competes in the Mid-South Conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). “We have thoroughly enjoyed our experience in the NAIA and can’t say enough about how great the leadership of the Presidents, Athletic Directors, and NAIA staff have been to partner with. We are excited about this opportunity to apply for membership to the NCAA DII as it will elevate our athletic reputation and provide additional opportunities for our student-athletes,” said Terry Connor, Director of Athletics.
ABOUT GREAT MIDWEST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Established in 2011–12, the Great Midwest Athletic Conference celebrates its 10th anniversary in the 2021–22 academic year as an active NCAA Division II conference with membership in the states of Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky and Tennessee. The 12 full member institutions include Ashland University, Cedarville University, University of Findlay, Hillsdale College, Kentucky Wesleyan College, Lake Erie College, Malone University, Ohio Dominican University, Tiffin University, Trevecca Nazarene University, Ursuline College, and Walsh University. Northwood University will also join the conference as a full member on July 1, 2022. Great Midwest associate member institutions feature Alderson Broaddus University, Davis & Elkins College, Mercyhurst University, Seton Hill University, and Wheeling University, all in the sport of men’s lacrosse. Learn more at greatmidwestsports.com.