It’s official. Claflin University has been granted NCAA Division II status, successfully completing a process that has spanned four years.
At today’s press conference, Claflin University Athletics Director Dr. Tim Autry announced that the University has received notification from the National Collegiate Athletic Association that Claflin has achieved active member status in NCAA Division II, effective Sept. 1, 2008. For the first time in four years, Claflin will be able to compete for championships in all sponsored sports.
“We are so elated that this long journey has ended with our being chosen to compete in the NCAA,” Dr. Autry said. “We have a dedicated and hard working athletics staff and athletes who are capable of competing among the best. This decision is a testament to our progress as an athletics program and an indicator of what Claflin University athletics can accomplish across the board.”
Claflin was one of 13 schools selected by the NCAA Membership Committee to be considered for full membership this year (2007-2008). In 2004, Claflin began its quest to make the transition from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) to NCAA. The first year was exploratory for Claflin as the athletics department completed an institutional self-study. For the past three years, Claflin has been a provisional member of the NCAA Division II Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).
“We were required to complete an annual report and go through the compliance blueprint process of the NCAA,” Dr. Autry said. “The membership committee met this month (July) and sent its recommendations to the management council.”
Claflin’s athletics program consists of basketball, baseball, indoor track, outdoor track and cross country for men and basketball, softball, volleyball, indoor track, outdoor track and cross country for women.
Three sports had 20-win seasons – men’s basketball, women’s basketball and baseball – with the men’s basketball team posting an HBCU-best 24-2 record against opponents that included NCAA Division II competition.
Claflin becomes the 12th South Carolina college or university competing in NCAA Division II. Others include Anderson College, Benedict College Coker College, Converse College, Erskine College, Francis Marion University, Lander University, Limestone College, Newberry College, North Greenville University and the University of South Carolina-Aiken.
About the NCAA
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a voluntary organization through which the nation’s colleges and universities govern their athletics programs. It is comprised of institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals committed to the best interests, education and athletics participation of student-athletes.
About Division II
Division II institutions have to sponsor at least five sports for men and five for women, (or four for men and six for women), with two team sports for each gender, and each playing season represented by each gender. There are contest and participant minimums for each sport, as well as scheduling criteria – football and men’s and women’s basketball teams must play at least 50 percent of their games against Division II or Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) or Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) opponents. For sports other than football and basketball there are no scheduling requirements. There are no attendance requirements for football, or arena game requirements for basketball. Division II teams usually feature a number of local or in-state student-athletes. Traditional rivalries with regional institutions dominate schedules of many Division II athletics programs.
About Claflin University
Claflin University is an independent, liberal arts, co-educational, historically black institution that is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. It is dedicated to educational excellence and to preparing students without regard to gender, race, religion or ethnic origin. It is committed to offering quality undergraduate programs, select graduate programs, and viable continuing education opportunities.
At the undergraduate level, the University ensures that students receive a liberal arts education that is designed to produce graduates who understand themselves, as well as historical and social forces that impact the world. At the graduate level, students are provided instruction to enhance the analytical and comprehensive research acumen necessary for professional growth and leadership. Continuing education programs create avenues for students to complete their educational objectives and develop skills necessary for contribution to their professional and personal fulfillment. Undergirding its mission is the University’s commitment to excellence in all its endeavors.
Posted By: Kenyana Madison
Friday, July 25th 2008 at 9:26AM
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