Board OKs first step to NCAA
Division II status will 'provide higher level of competition,' Evans says
Kenny Gerling
Issue date: 2/24/10 Section: News
Lindenwood University's board of directors voted Feb. 12 to seek admittance into NCAA Division II athletics for 21 of the college's 46 sports teams, including football and basketball.
"Division II will provide a higher level of competition," President James D. Evans said after the vote.
"Lindenwood as a university, as well as a sports program, has grown into that level of competition."
Lindenwood will submit its application for admittance by June 1. The university will know by July 1 whether that application has been accepted, Athletic Director John Creer said.
If accepted, the university still would have to wait four years before becoming a full member of the NCAA.
Evans said that the first year would be an "exploratory year," where the NCAA would learn more about Lindenwood and Lindenwood about the NCAA.
Year two would be a "compliance year" in which Lindenwood would verify all legalities.
In the third year, teams are allowed to compete in Division II but are ineligible for postseason play. In the fourth year, Lindenwood would be admitted as an active member.
The university would also have to find a Division II conference to join. Though no agreement has yet been reached, Evans said that officials are looking at the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) and a few others.
Universities in the MIAA include Northwest Missouri State in Maryville and Truman State in Kirksville.
A Lindenwood press release said that all sports would fully participate in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)competition for the two years before NCAA admittance. The 25 teams unaffected by the move would continue in NAIA or in their current club capacities.
Evans said that once a member of the NCAA Division II, the university would be required to give out strictly athletic scholarships to a certain number of student athletes.
In the NAIA, Lindenwood gives scholarships to athletes but students cannot lose the scholarships if they stop playing sports. The NCAA has different scholarship regulations for different sports.
"We actually will be putting out a little less money in Division II because we won't have as many athletes. There are limits on the size of teams due to the limits on scholarships that can be given," Evans said.
Lindenwood's facilities all meet NCAA regulations.
Lindenwood Board Chairman Jim J. Shoemake said, "As we started to win the NAIA championships in various sports with regularity, it has become evident to people who follow athletics that Lindenwood is growing greatly, both academically and athletically, and it is at the point that it should be in trying to reach to a different level in collegiate competition."
Evans said, "I believe the NCAA will be very interested in having Lindenwood in its Division II membership."
"Division II will provide a higher level of competition," President James D. Evans said after the vote.
"Lindenwood as a university, as well as a sports program, has grown into that level of competition."
Lindenwood will submit its application for admittance by June 1. The university will know by July 1 whether that application has been accepted, Athletic Director John Creer said.
If accepted, the university still would have to wait four years before becoming a full member of the NCAA.
Evans said that the first year would be an "exploratory year," where the NCAA would learn more about Lindenwood and Lindenwood about the NCAA.
Year two would be a "compliance year" in which Lindenwood would verify all legalities.
In the third year, teams are allowed to compete in Division II but are ineligible for postseason play. In the fourth year, Lindenwood would be admitted as an active member.
The university would also have to find a Division II conference to join. Though no agreement has yet been reached, Evans said that officials are looking at the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) and a few others.
Universities in the MIAA include Northwest Missouri State in Maryville and Truman State in Kirksville.
A Lindenwood press release said that all sports would fully participate in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)competition for the two years before NCAA admittance. The 25 teams unaffected by the move would continue in NAIA or in their current club capacities.
Evans said that once a member of the NCAA Division II, the university would be required to give out strictly athletic scholarships to a certain number of student athletes.
In the NAIA, Lindenwood gives scholarships to athletes but students cannot lose the scholarships if they stop playing sports. The NCAA has different scholarship regulations for different sports.
"We actually will be putting out a little less money in Division II because we won't have as many athletes. There are limits on the size of teams due to the limits on scholarships that can be given," Evans said.
Lindenwood's facilities all meet NCAA regulations.
Lindenwood Board Chairman Jim J. Shoemake said, "As we started to win the NAIA championships in various sports with regularity, it has become evident to people who follow athletics that Lindenwood is growing greatly, both academically and athletically, and it is at the point that it should be in trying to reach to a different level in collegiate competition."
Evans said, "I believe the NCAA will be very interested in having Lindenwood in its Division II membership."
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