Newman U NCAA Division II Press Release Newman University
NCAA Press Release
May 25, 2006
Newman University to Seek NCAA Division II Membership
Wichita, Kan. – The Newman University Board of Trustees voted Monday, May 22, to approve application to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II and Heartland Conference. The university received a formal invitation to join the NCAA Div. II Heartland Conference this spring.
“We are extremely excited about the prospect of joining the NCAA,” said Newman Athletic Director Kevin Ulwelling. “We have studied this matter carefully over the past three years and look forward to the new opportunities such a move can have for the Newman community.”
Newman is currently a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference (MCAC). By joining the Heartland Conference, Newman would become the first and only private college or university in Kansas to join the NCAA.
Initially, Newman would serve as a provisional member for a minimum of two years, which is a prerequisite for active membership into the association. By joining the NCAA Heartland Conference Newman will align with schools from Texas to Kansas, including St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, St. Edwards University in Austin, Dallas Baptist University, as well as Lincoln University in Missouri and Panhandle State University in Oklahoma. The conference has plans to continue its growth along the I-35 corridor and Newman will add significantly to this expansion plan.
Newman’s men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, golf, cross-country and tennis teams, along with baseball, softball and women’s volleyball, would all become part of the Heartland Conference. Newman’s wrestling and men’s volleyball would join the NCAA with Independent status; or have the option to join another NCAA Div. I or II conference. Men’s and women’s bowling will compete in the Intercollegiate Conferences, and lacrosse will compete in the Great River Lacrosse Conference.
J.V. Johnston of Johnston’s clothiers, and Jim Rheem, president of Rheem Resources are Newman alums who serve on the Newman board of trustees. Both expressed what they feel is a widespread excitement among alumni about the future of Newman athletics. “This move will take Newman to the next level and will provide added visibility for Newman as a growing regional and international Catholic university,” said Rheem. “It will also allow us to play regional and national Division I and II schools in market areas important to the overall development of the university.”
Bob Hanson, president of the Wichita Sports Commission, and David Dahl, a Wichita attorney and well-known play-by-play announcer for WSU basketball serve on the Newman Athletic Advisory Board. Hanson and Dahl joined Newman coaches Mark Potter, Cliff Brown and Maureen (Mo) Rohleder, as well as faculty and student representatives who met with Newman trustees for final consideration and action on the proposal to join the NCAA. “We are very grateful to the many people, including presidents and athletic staffs at other area schools such as Rockhurst University and the University of Dallas, who assisted us in these deliberations,” said Newman University president Dr. Aidan O. Dunleavy. “This is another significant step in Newman’s strategic plan and we are thankful to those who gave much appreciated assistance to our faculty and staff as they conducted their extensive research on this important matter.”
The NCAA is a voluntary organization through which the nation's colleges and universities govern their athletics programs. Its membership comprises more than 1,250 institutions, with conferences, organizations and individuals committed to the best interests, education and athletic participation of student-athletes. Currently more than 74,000 male and female athletes compete in NCAA Div. II intercollegiate athletics.
