Friday, July 15, 2016
by Concordia Athletic Communications

INDIANAPOLIS—Full membership to the NCAA became one step closer for Concordia University Portland on Friday as the department received notification from the NCAA Membership Committee that it has successfully completed Candidacy Year Two in the association's Division II membership process.

Concordia Vice President and Director of Athletics Brian Jamros was notified in a phone call from the NCAA on July 13 that the university has been approved for Candidacy Year Three of the transition process.

"This move was a long-term strategic plan for the university and it absolutely takes the entire university to be behind the move in order to be successful. That being said, the support across campus has been phenomenal in helping us get to this stage," Jamros said. "We can't thank the staffs and coaches enough for their diligence through these endeavors."

Full, active membership in NCAA Division II is a three-year process. Though Concordia's 15 varsity sports were eligible for Great Northwest Athletic Conference postseason play beginning in 2015-16, the Cavaliers remain ineligible for NCAA postseason competition until the completion of the process.

This past year, Concordia played its first NCAA DII schedule and first season as a member of the GNAC. Three Concordia teams—women's soccer, men's golf and softball—finished as runner-ups in their conference debuts.

Concordia University Portland is one of six schools that were accepted into the final year of the membership process. Joining the Cavaliers are California State University, San Marcos; Concordia University Irvine; Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Florida); Oklahoma Baptist University; and Spring Hill College (Ala.).

The Division II Membership Committee voted to advance Holy Names University, Mississippi College, Rogers State University and Southern Wesleyan University into active Division II membership after the schools completed the required process. The additions bring NCAA Division II to a total of 310 colleges and universities.

One school, Westminster College (Utah), is slated to begin its second year of the membership process this fall. Two others, Biola University (Calif.) and Davenport University (Mich.), will begin their initial year of the process. All decisions will be reviewed by the Division II Management Council at its meeting next week.