GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Davenport University Athletics achieved another milestone in its transition toward full NCAA Division II membership, as the program was approved by the NCAA II Membership Committee to advance to the final year of the three-year membership process. Davenport received notification from the NCAA Division II Membership Committee that the program successfully completed candidacy year two in 2017–18 and was recommended to advance to candidacy year three.
 
"We are excited to be taking the final step in our transition towards NCAA Division II active membership status," said Dr. Richard Pappas, president of Davenport University. "Competing in the GLIAC and NCAA aligns with our Vision 2020 and gives our coaches and student-athletes the opportunity to compete at one of the highest levels in college athletics."

Full membership in NCAA Division II is a three-year process with the Panthers participating in candidacy year three during the upcoming 2018–19 athletic year. Davenport can become full time NCAA Division II members in 2019-20 and will be eligible for NCAA postseason play upon completion of the three-year membership process.

The Panthers will enter their second season as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in 2018–19 and again, will be eligible to compete for GLIAC Conference Championships. Davenport is excited to compete for conference regular season and tournament championships in a very tough GLIAC schedule. Our men's soccer team brought home the conference tournament trophy during the fall of 2017.

"Moving to year three of the NCAA Division II membership process is great news for Davenport University and our athletic department," said Paul Lowden, Davenport's director of athletics. "This is the final step before we become active members. The commitment from our campus community within and outside athletics has been phenomenal and I appreciate all the collaborative work that has gone into this process. Competing at the NCAA Division II level and in the GLIAC is an awesome experience for our student-athletes and coaching staff."

About NCAA Division II:
NCAA Division II is one of the three membership divisions at the National Collegiate Athletic Association, an organization comprising more than 1,200 institutions, conferences, and affiliated organizations. Division II is a collection of more than 300 NCAA colleges and Universities that provide thousands of student-athletes the opportunity to compete at a high level of scholarship athletics while excelling in the classroom and fully engaging in the broader campus experience. This balance, in which student-athletes are recognized for their academic success, athletics contributions and campus/community involvement, is at the heart of the Division II philosophy. For additional information on Division II efforts, visit ncaa.org.
 
Story by: Devin Steiner

Picture credit: Alison McNamara