Wednesday, July 17, 2013

PORTLAND, Ore. - Azusa Pacific University has been granted NCAA provisional membership, signaling the successful completion of the second year of the three-year Division II membership process.

The Cougars are an affiliate member of the GNAC in football.

Another GNAC affiliate member - South Dakota Mines - was granted full NCAA Division II membership by the NCAA membership committee during its meeting last week in Indianapolis.  SD Mines will compete in the GNAC in soccer this fall and in football beginning next fall.

Azusa Pacific is on pace to become a full-fledged NCAA Division II member in 2014-15.

"I'm very proud of our coaches and staff, who worked very hard this past year to not only understand NCAA rules and regulations but implement them as well into their everyday operations,” Azusa Pacific athletic director  Gary Pine said.

“It was a challenging year, yet they were diligent and professional in every endeavor, and it has paid off with the NCAA's decision to approve Azusa Pacific for provisional membership. We're excited to have our name linked with the NCAA brand, and I think we'll see more inspired efforts throughout the coming year."

This past year, which was the second year of Azusa Pacific’s membership transition.

As a provisional member, Azusa Pacific is required to follow all NCAA Division II legislation, including violations reporting, and filing for waivers. In the third and final year of the membership process, Azusa Pacific will take part in an audit of the university’s compliance procedures, and in June an annual report will be submitted for the NCAA’s consideration of granting full membership to Azusa Pacific in July 2014.

South Dakota Mines was one of eight schools to receive full membership, including Black Hills State (S.D.), California Baptist, Lindenwood (Mo.), Malone (Ohio), McKendree (Ill.),  Ursuline (Ohio) and Walsh (Ohio).