Ohio College Could Be First NCAA Division II School in Region

Ohio Dominican University applies for NCAA Membership in hopes to become first Division II College in Central Ohio.

Columbus, OH (PRWEB) April 11, 2008 -- Ohio Dominican University (ODU) has officially filed for membership with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Division II.

Ohio Dominican University

However, our athletic programs and facilities have come a long way over the years, and while we will always place a high value on our relationship with the NAIA, we feel it is time to pursue an opportunity that will ensure that our athletic programs will remain competitive and successful.

If accepted, Ohio Dominican will be the only university in Central Ohio to be NCAA DII, joining three other Ohio colleges and universities that are currently members of the DII's highly competitive Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (GLIAC). They include Ashland University, the University of Findlay, and Tiffin University.

Ohio Dominican University's application will be reviewed by the NCAA Membership Committee, which this summer will announce those colleges under consideration. NCAA DII's prescribed timeline for membership is three years. The first two years are spent in exploratory membership, followed by one year of provisional membership.

"Ohio Dominican considers this potential move to the NCAA an integral part of our strategic plan to build college enrollment and offer quality athletic programs," said Bishop James A. Griffin, Interim President of Ohio Dominican University. "Over the past six years, ODU has made great strides in bringing itself up to the financial and facilities standards of NCAA Division II," he said.

Ohio Dominican is currently a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). "The NAIA has been a great partner and we have been proud to be affiliated with them," said Bill Blazer, ODU Director of Athletics. "However, our athletic programs and facilities have come a long way over the years, and while we will always place a high value on our relationship with the NAIA, we feel it is time to pursue an opportunity that will ensure that our athletic programs will remain competitive and successful."

ODU has taken several steps to meet NCAA Division II requirements, including breaking ground for a new 82,000-square-foot student center, to open in the fall of 2009, which will include new locker facilities and an athletic office complex. The student center will augment and improve the university's existing intercollegiate athletic facilities.

"Ohio Dominican University will continue to build on the successes of our athletic programs and NCAA membership will contribute to our university's goals of being a preeminent Catholic and Dominican higher education institution," Blazer added.

To learn more about Ohio Dominican University's athletic program visit OhioDominican.edu.

About Ohio Dominican University
Ohio Dominican University is a four-year liberal arts institution, founded in 1911 in the Catholic and Dominican tradition. The university has over 3,000 students and offers undergraduate degrees in 50 majors as well as several graduate degree programs. Ohio Dominican uses a student-centered approach, with a commitment to quality teaching and learning and a number of academic programs of distinction.

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