LU eyes transfer to NCAA Division II
Matt Korn
Issue date: 11/18/09 Section: News
Creer said that if the NCAA turned out to be the wrong fit for Lindenwood, then the university could pull out at any time.
After the two-year exploratory term, Lindenwood would go through a year-long probationary period, followed by full membership into NCAA Division II athletics.
This slow transition would give LU and the NCAA time to test compatibility, and also allow the university time to join a new conference.
Creer expects the proposal to be met with difficult questions and the "If it isn't broke, why fix it?" mentality.
But he believes that the change would benefit both the students of Lindenwood and the university itself.
Although Lindenwood has been highly successful playing in the NAIA, there are advantages in becoming a part of the NCAA, such as the national name recognition that the association has.
The NAIA is a great program to be a part of, Creer said, but the name doesn't carry the weight that the NCAA does.
Prospective athletes may be turned away from Lindenwood because they think the NAIA is inferior to the NCAA.
Creer said that in the NAIA (with the exception of football), whenever any Lindenwood sports team makes any postseason appearance, the university is responsible for all expenses.
Members of the NCAA are not responsible for paying for any expenses during the postseason.
Being a member of the NCAA would change the way Lindenwood offers scholarships to student athletes; however, Creer said the change would not be drastic.
"Becoming an NCAA school will do nothing more than make the scholarship program more defined," Creer said.
"Right now all we're allowed to offer our student athletes are Lindenwood grants and academic scholarships to attend school and play for our team."
"It's one big gray area. But with NCAA affiliation, we'll now be able to offer athletic scholarships to our athletes," he said.
"This wouldn't change things; it just cures the picture a bit. Things won't be as gray."
Evans approves of the decision to explore NCAA membership and hopes that the board will realize the need for change.
"Right now I see Lindenwood athletics like an 800 pound gorilla, and the level of our athletic program needs room to grow." Evans said.
Like Creer, Evans sees benefits in changing athletic associations.
"With an NCAA membership, the future of LU athletics will be challenged more," Evans said.
"And the general public will see us in a new image."
After the two-year exploratory term, Lindenwood would go through a year-long probationary period, followed by full membership into NCAA Division II athletics.
This slow transition would give LU and the NCAA time to test compatibility, and also allow the university time to join a new conference.
Creer expects the proposal to be met with difficult questions and the "If it isn't broke, why fix it?" mentality.
But he believes that the change would benefit both the students of Lindenwood and the university itself.
Although Lindenwood has been highly successful playing in the NAIA, there are advantages in becoming a part of the NCAA, such as the national name recognition that the association has.
The NAIA is a great program to be a part of, Creer said, but the name doesn't carry the weight that the NCAA does.
Prospective athletes may be turned away from Lindenwood because they think the NAIA is inferior to the NCAA.
Creer said that in the NAIA (with the exception of football), whenever any Lindenwood sports team makes any postseason appearance, the university is responsible for all expenses.
Members of the NCAA are not responsible for paying for any expenses during the postseason.
Being a member of the NCAA would change the way Lindenwood offers scholarships to student athletes; however, Creer said the change would not be drastic.
"Becoming an NCAA school will do nothing more than make the scholarship program more defined," Creer said.
"Right now all we're allowed to offer our student athletes are Lindenwood grants and academic scholarships to attend school and play for our team."
"It's one big gray area. But with NCAA affiliation, we'll now be able to offer athletic scholarships to our athletes," he said.
"This wouldn't change things; it just cures the picture a bit. Things won't be as gray."
Evans approves of the decision to explore NCAA membership and hopes that the board will realize the need for change.
"Right now I see Lindenwood athletics like an 800 pound gorilla, and the level of our athletic program needs room to grow." Evans said.
Like Creer, Evans sees benefits in changing athletic associations.
"With an NCAA membership, the future of LU athletics will be challenged more," Evans said.
"And the general public will see us in a new image."
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