On Monday, August 17th, Thomas More University announced it is looking to become an NCAA Division II University. Over the summer, the school was unanimously approved for provisional membership in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) and is
officially preparing for the application to the NCAA.
“It is up another level, it adds another level of excitement and competition to what we do here” Said Director of Athletics Terry Connor.
Coaches all around the school are eager as well to get their teams in the next division.
“The Great-Midwest conference is one of the premier conferences in the country when it comes to cross country and track.” Says Ron Russo, the head cross country and track & field coach.
"It's going to provide us with a great challenge, but opportunity comes with a challenge like that. So we were really excited to embrace that." - Ron Russo
Head football coach Trevor Stellman is looking forward to the development as well.
“The NCAA name is a lot more prominent in the greater Cincinnati area, so for us, it helps get us those kids who may not know what NAIA is, but know what NCAA division II is.
As exciting as the announcement is, the school is just in the beginning phase of furthering the application. The school is aiming to have the official application for membership to the NCAA Division II before February 1, 2022. If the application goes through and is approved to enter the NCAA Division II process, the University will become a provisional member of the G-MAC for the 2022-23 academic year but will continue to compete in the NAIA for that period of time. The University will conclude NAIA membership at the end of the 2022-23 academic year and will complete two remaining years as provisional members of the G-MAC and the NCAA.
Starting in the 2023-24 academic year, the University will compete in the G-MAC 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.
With the process now in motion, we eagerly await what comes of the developments both on and off the field for Thomas More. Regardless of division, the University is winding up for a stellar fall season and will be competing with the same burning passion to compete and play.
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