GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Davenport University has received word today that the school's application for National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) membership in Division II has been approved for the three-year membership process.

"Davenport University is committed to quality and achievement of high standards. Acceptance of our application for membership into NCAA Division II affirms the great progress we have made as an institution. We look forward to the opportunities this affiliation will provide to our students and community," said Davenport University President Dr. Richard J. Pappas. "We believe NCAA membership will only enhance the quality of college life at Davenport and help us attract the best and brightest students interested in a career-focused education."
 
The Panthers will continue as an active member of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) within the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) for the 2016-17 school year while it serves what is called Provisional Year One with NCAA Division II and the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). Davenport, which gained its first national affiliation with the NAIA in 2004, has claimed six straight WHAC All-Sports trophies and finished 23rd or better in the last three years of the NAIA Learfield Sports Directors' Cup.
 
Beginning with Provisional Year Two (2017-18), Davenport will join the GLIAC in all sports playing a full conference schedule. After completing Provisional Year Three (2018-19) of the membership process, the Panthers will gain full NCAA membership and become eligible to compete for NCAA Division II championships beginning as early as 2019-20. The Division II Membership Committee annually determines if an institution should be moved forward into the next year of the membership process.
 
"This is a great day for Davenport University. Our University aligns perfectly with the ideals of NCAA Division II and the GLIAC. This opportunity will allow Davenport University to compete amongst some of the best NCAA Division II institutions in the Midwest. This marks a new journey and a new challenge for our athletic program, one that excites our coaches, our student-athletes, our faculty/staff, and our alumni," said Davenport University Director of Athletics Paul Lowden. "We look forward to developing new relationships with the NCAA and GLIAC members while maintaining friendships with colleagues in the NAIA with whom we have worked alongside for years and have a high level of respect and admiration."

Davenport's 20-sport NAIA sponsored athletic programs have claimed 81 WHAC Championships (43 regular season and 38 tournament) in 14 different sports and the men's soccer team captured the 2014 NAIA National Championship. In addition, the men's and women's lacrosse teams this season won the inaugural NAIA Invitational.