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.

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.

While Newman U is a provisional member of the NCAA the wrestling team will participate in the National Collegiate Wrestling Association National Championships.

After completion of the provisional membership, the plan is for Newman U to participate in the NCAA Division II tournament.

Newman University joins NCAA Division II

Wichita Business Journal - 5:15 PM CDT Tuesday
by Bill Wilson

Newman University's athletic program has been formally accepted into the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the Division II level.

The school will join the Heartland Conference beginning with fall 2006 sports.

"This is a great day for Newman University," says Newman Board of Trustees Chairman John Marstall. "Our strong athletic programs build a sense of school and community pride. The move to NCAA Division II provides all Newman students with greater opportunities for a complete college experience."

The move makes Newman the only private university in Kansas in the NCAA. Newman will be admitted on a provisional basis, with a four-year transition process beginning in the 2006-07 school year.

Once complete, Newman will field NCAA entrants in men's and women's basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, baseball, softball and women's volleyball. Men's volleyball and wrestling will compete as NCAA independents.

Newman teams have already begun scheduling games against NCAA Division II opponents and joining the Heartland Conference, a league along an I-35 corridor.

"NCAA Division II membership is consistent with our mission and strategic plan," says Newman Athletic Director Kevin Ulwelling. "It allows us to align ourselves with respected Catholic and other faith-based institutions in the Heartland Conference, and gives us greater recruiting appeal, stronger academic progression and retention compliance for our student athletes."

it still says mens volleyball and wrestling will be independents. I don't mean to sound stupid but what exactly does that mean. They can compete like Aaron said in D1 tournament or what?

The plan is, after completion of the provisional period, for Newman wrester's to compete in the NCAA Division II Tournament.

The wrestling program will be independent as none of the other conferences the school's athletic programs are affiliated with sponsor wrestling.

Heartland Conference

Heartland Conference News...

Newman University Joins Heartland Conference -- Posted on Monday, June 5 2006

The Newman University Board of Trustees voted last week to approve application to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II and accept an invitation offered this month to join the Heartland Conference.

Located in Wichita, Kansas, Newman is currently a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Initially, Newman would serve as an administrative member of the Heartland Conference and provisional member of the NCAA for a minimum of two years, which is a prerequisite for active membership into the NCAA.

“Newman will be an outstanding addition to an outstanding conference,” said Heartland Conference Commissioner Tony Stigliano. “Newman University’s mission and emphasis on strong academics is an excellent match with the other members of the Heartland Conference.”

Newman currently sponsors 18 sports. 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. The university’s wrestling and men’s volleyball would join the NCAA with independent status. Men’s and women’s bowling will compete in the Intercollegiate Conferences, and lacrosse will compete in the Great River Lacrosse Conference.

Founded in 1933, Newman is a private, Catholic liberal arts university with an enrollment of almost 2,200 students from 19 states and 31 countries. Dr. Aidan O. Dunleavy serves as the University’s president.

“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.”

The Heartland Conference is a NCAA Division II conference, founded in 1999, that currently consists of eight schools, four from Texas, and one each from Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. The schools comprising the Heartland Conference stretch from as far north as Billings, Montana, as far south as San Antonio, Texas, as far east as Jefferson City, Missouri, and as far west as Silver City, New Mexico. The Conference stretches over a distance of 1600 miles north to south and 1200 east to west.

The Heartland Conference sponsors championships in baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, and volleyball.

In December of 2005, the Heartland Conference announced the addition of two more members. Texas A&M International University in Laredo, Texas and The University of Texas of the Permian Basin in Odessa, Texas will join the Heartland Conference effective the beginning of the 2006-2007 academic year. Both those institutions are also in the process of applying for membership in NCAA Division II.

While independent however in their coference for wrestling and volleyball (men's) they can choose to join other schools and form a sports specific conference like what Northern Colorado and Air Force are now in in DI. I think once they go DII, I think that Newman should look at going DI in wrestling (for men's sport) and going DI in maybe women's volleyball and do like the schools back east do with all other sports being DII.

I agree with Aaron, the school already has wrestling it would be much easier to have Newman as the states D1 wrestling program than having KU, KState or even WSU have it because they would have to establish a wrestling program. Much easier to work with an already established program I think

What is the rational behind the NCAA making schools go through a four year transition period to compete in the championships? It was just a two year transition period for a DIII to go DII. Going from NAIA to NCAA DII takes two more years? What is the transition period for DII to DI? The extended transition period punishes the student athletes at the institution. In wrestling (and most sports) the end of the year championships is what it is all about. The student athletes don't have a chance to compete at the national championships. I know personally I would transfer. I think that is common and then the program goes down hill to a starting over process. I think it is a horrible system. At most it should be a one year transition period.

Many schools back east have DII athletic departments and DI Wrestling (especially Pennsylvania schools). Nebraska-Omaha has a DI Hockey team…. I wonder what Coach Denney and Higden’s thoughts are on taking the Wrestling team to DI (SDSU…NDSU...)? I think Newman should take it’s time to adjust to the DII level before considering making that jump to DI. Then again…if it takes four years to make that transition…why not jump now. I would love to see a DI program in Kansas, but I don’t think Newman is ready for that yet. I think it is a great step in the right direction with them going DII though.

DII to DI used to take 7, but SDSU, NDSU and N.Colorado fought that. THey also used to allow you to compete NAIA while transitioning.

I think Newman should apply for NCWA status while transitioning, so those that can't redshirt or have burned one can go on and wrestle for a National Championship.

Ike I agree with you...make the jump now to DI.

Here is the schedule
2006-07 Newman University Wrestling Schedule


Event Site Time
Labette Takedown Tournament Parsons, Kan. All Day

Harold Nichols Open Ft. Dodge, Iowa All Day

John Hancock Duals Golden, Colo. All Day

University of Northern Colorado Tournament Greeley, Colo. All Day

University of Oklahoma Tournament Norman, Okla. All Day

Fort Hays Tournament Hays, Kan. All Day

Nebraska-Kearney Tournament Kearney, Neb. All Day

Lone Star Duals Dallas, Texas All Day

Fort Hays Dual Hays, Kan. All Day

University of Nebraska-Omaha Tournament Omaha, Neb. All Day

Briar Cliff Tournament Souix City, Iowa All Day

NCWA Conference Tournament Boulder, Colo. All Day

NCWA Nationals Dallas, Texas All Day

Nov. 5, 2006

Newman wrestlers open season at Labette Takedown Tournament

The Newman wrestling team sent 11 wrestlers to compete in the preseason Labette Takedown Tournament this past weekend. Coach Mark Stovall rated the young team’s performance with a “C-”.

“I was pleased with where our conditioning is at this point, but we lost too many close matches by not taking control of the match when we had the opportunity, said Stovall. “We are going to step up the intensity of our training this week in order to get ready for the tournament at Central Iowa in Ft. Dodge, IA. The Central Iowa tournament will give us a more accurate evaluation on our wrestlers because it is a traditional formatted tournament. The Labette tournament was a takedown tournament which did not include any mat wrestling.”

Newman Individual Results
136 Isaac Wall (3-2) 4th place
136 Kyle Oyler (4-2) 5/6th place
144 Clay Goodloe (5-1) 3rd place
144 Aeron Hill (2-2)
144 Cody Duffendack (3-2)
152 Rowdy Palmer (2-2)
152 Alex Gersch (0-2)
160 Jake Johnston (3-2) 5/6th place
160 Isaac Cervantes (1-2)
168 Andrew Nash (0-2)
177 Nate Alvarez (1-2)

Nov. 11, 2006

Newman wrestlers face tough competition at in Iowa

The Newman wrestling team officially opened its season on Saturday at the Harold Nichols Open in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The meet featured some of the nation's best squads, including the defending national champions at the junior college and NCAA Division II and III levels, as well as NCAA Division I powerhouses Iowa, Iowa State, Illinois, Northern Iowa and Nebraska.

Newman Individual Results

125 Isaac Wall 2-2
133 Kyle Oyler 3-2
141 Aeron Hill 2-2
141 Cody Duffendack 1-2
149 Scott Palmer 1-2
149 Isaac Cervantes 0-2
149 Alex Gersch 0-2
165 Andrew Nash 0-2
174 Nate Alvarez 0-2
197 Florian Temengil 0-2

Nov. 19, 2006

Newman competes in two Colorado events over the weekend

Newman’s wrestling team competed in two events over the weekend, competing in a series of dual meets at the Colorado School of Mines on Saturday and the University of Northern Colorado Open Tournament on Sunday.

On Saturday, Newman fell in four duals: losing to Central Missouri State 38-4, Chadron State (Neb.) 49-0, Utah Valley State 33-15 and Mesa State College (Colo.) 31-15.

On Sunday, at the double-elimination tournament in Greeley, Colo., Aeron Hill was the top individual wrestler, winning three matches. Isaac Wall and Kyle Oyler also won two matches, while Andrew Nash and Florian Temengil had one win apiece. Full team standings listed below:

Newman Individual Results
Isaac Wall 2-2
Kyle Oyler 2-2
Aeron Hill 3-2
Rowdy Palmer 0-2
Jake Johnston 0-2
Andrew Nash 1-2
Nate Alvarez 0-2
Florian Temengil 1-2
Brett Jenlink 0-2

Central Missouri St 38
Newman 4
Location: Golden, CO
11/19/2006

125 Wall, Isaac(Newman) MD Norman, Seth(CentralMissouriSt ) 11-0
133 Baker, Keaton(CentralMissouriSt ) DEC Oyler, Kyle(Newman) 4-1
141 Robison, Seth(CentralMissouriSt ) DEC Hill, Aeron(Newman) 6-4
149 Carey, Mark(CentralMissouriSt ) FALL Goodloe, Clay(Newman) 6:53
157 Tieben, Adam(CentralMissouriSt ) TF5 Palmer, Rowdy(Newman) 16-0
165 Bertucci, Vince(CentralMissouriSt ) DEC Johnston, Jake(Newman) 11-5
174 Sheets, Jesse(CentralMissouriSt ) DEC Nash, Andrew(Newman) 4-1
184 Hudson, Jeremy(CentralMissouriSt ) DEC Alvarez, Nate(Newman) 13-7
197 Ott, John(CentralMissouriSt ) FALL Temengil, Florian(Newman) 1:46
285 Dawson, Drew(CentralMissouriSt ) FALL Jenlick, Brett(Newman) 1:39

Chadron St 49
Newman 0
Location: Golden, CO
11/19/2006

125 Webb, Devlon(ChadronSt ) DEC Wall, Isaac(Newman) 7-4
133 Palomo, Sergio(ChadronSt ) DEC Oyler, Kyle(Newman) 5-4
141 Lappe, Skylair(ChadronSt ) FALL Goodloe, Clay(Newman) 6:39
149 Pfiefer, Mark(ChadronSt ) FALL Hill, Aeron(Newman) 4:54
157 Webster, Jared(ChadronSt ) FALL Johnston, Jake(Newman) 4:50
165 Hunter, Brett(ChadronSt ) DEC Nash, Andrew(Newman) 6-0
174 Weingart, Matt(ChadronSt ) FALL Alvarez, Nate(Newman) 1:29
184 Davis, Matt(ChadronSt ) FRFT (Newman)
197 Majerus, Josh(ChadronSt ) MD Temengil, Florian(Newman) 10-1
285 Bickerdyke, Cale(ChadronSt ) FALL Jenlick, Brett(Newman) 2:16

Utah Valley St 33
Newman 14
Location: Golden, Co
11/19/2006

125 Wall, Isaac(Newman) FRFT (UtahValleySt)
133 Oyler, Kyle(Newman) DEC Smith, Alex(UtahValleySt) 9-5
141 Morrill, Justin(UtahValleySt) DEC Palmer, Rowdy(Newman) 8-3
149 Rawle, Justin(UtahValleySt) TF5 Hill, Aeron(Newman) 18-0
157 Wolfe, Clayton(UtahValleySt) MD Johnston, Jake(Newman) 11-0
165 Olsen, Dustin(UtahValleySt) MD Nash, Andrew(Newman) 8-0
174 Fenwick, Marc(UtahValleySt) TF5 Alvarez, Nate(Newman) 17-0
184 Jardine, Brock(UtahValleySt) FRFT (Newman)
197 McAllister, Eric(UtahValleySt) FALL Temengil, Florian(Newman) 2:27
285 Jenlick, Brett(Newman) FRFT (UtahValleySt)

Mesa State 31
Newman 15
Location: Golden, CO
11/19/2006

125 Wall, Isaac(Newman) FRFT (MesaState)
133 Burner, Garrett(MesaState) DEC Oyler, Kyle(Newman) 7-2
141 Hill, Aeron(Newman) FRFT (MesaState)
149 Piatt, Kirk(MesaState) FALL Palmer, Rowdy(Newman) 1:06
157 Torsick, Taylor(MesaState) FALL Johnston, Jake(Newman) :56
165 Johnson, Cole(MesaState) MD Nash, Andrew(Newman) 15-3
174 Laminger, Andy(MesaState) FALL Alvarez, Nate(Newman) 1:52
184 (MesaState) NOMATCH (Newman)
197 Temengil, Florian(Newman) DEC Jennings, Keenan(MesaState) 9-8
285 Kennedy, Kris(MesaState) FRFT (Newman)

Dec. 2, 2006

Newman competes well at Fort Hays State Open

The Newman men’s wrestling team competed at the Fort Hays State Open on Saturday with eight of the nine Jets winning at least one match.

“Overall it was a great tournament for us as a team,” coach Mark Stovall said. “It was the best we have competed this year.”

Isaac Wall was the top individual finisher, posting a 3-1 record to finish second in his weight class. Andrew Nash and Clay Goodloe also earned multiple victories, finishing with 2-2 records.

Aeron Hill, Florian Temengil, Rowdy Palmer, Brett Jenlink and Nate Alvarez all finished with 1-2 records while Isaac Cervantes finished 0-2.

Newman’s next action will be at the University of Nebraska at Kearney next Saturday.