Originally posted by Husker Fan:
The article states the wrestling team will have independent status and have the option to join another Division I or II conference. What does that mean for the wrestling team next year? Will the wrestling team be competing in NCAA Division I or II for the tournament next year?
Neither actually, they will have to undergo a transitionary probation to get into compliance with the NCAA...most the time as an NAIA transfering to DII that means a 2 year transition. University of Mary is just finishing their's up. UW-Parkside was one of the last colleges to be able to transition to DII while also being an NAIA member (allowing them to compete in the NAIA championship until they were DII)...Newman won't have that option. As for wrestling conferences in DII you have about 3: NCC, RMAC, and PSAC (several DI wrestling teams in there, but are DII in everything else.
I think FHSU or Newman can now look into doing what Edinboro, Lock Haven and some of the other schools out east do and just have their wrestling teams go DI along with 1 female sport or something for compliance (in case their is complaints in that department) typically Volleyball and wrestling is the DI way to go in that endeavor.
