Notre Dame College Athletics

SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- Notre Dame College is pleased to announce that the College’s membership application for NCAA Division II has been approved. Notre Dame, currently affiliated with the NAIA, will begin the 2009-10 academic year as a Candidacy Year-One institution in the NCAA Division II membership process.

Notre Dame’s application was reviewed and accepted by the NCAA Division II Membership Committee, and NDC administrators were notified of the committee’s decision on Friday.

“Advancement to NCAA Division II status is an exciting step forward for our student-athletes,” said Notre Dame President Dr. Andrew P. Roth. “There is quite a bit of work yet to do, but membership in the NCAA, the addition of football and several other sports currently under consideration will all combine to enhance the collegiate experience of all Notre Dame students.”

Upon becoming a full member, Notre Dame would join the following Ohio institutions affiliated as NCAA Division II: Ashland University (Ashland), Central State University (Wilberforce), University of Findlay (Findlay), Lake Erie College (Painesville), and Tiffin University (Tiffin). Ohio Dominican University (Columbus) and Urbana University (Urbana) are currently NCAA-II members with provisional status.

On Friday, one other Ohio institution, Cedarville University, also had their membership application approved.

“This is an exciting time for Notre Dame Athletics,” said Director of Athletics Susan Hlavacek. “The NCAA is a more recognizable association, and membership in such a nationally-known organization will benefit Notre Dame College on and off the field.”

The prescribed timeline for full DII membership is a minimum of three years. In 2009-10, Notre Dame will begin what is called Candidacy Year One, followed by Candidacy Year Two in if invited in 2010-2011. It is during those years the Falcons can remain active members within the NAIA. Year three (2011-12) is known as a Provisional Year, which requires NDC to drop it’s NAIA membership as it meets all NCAA legislation. The Falcons would become a full NCAA member in their fourth year of compliance which would be the 2012-13 academic year.

For Notre Dame, the move affects 21 athletic teams (11 men’s, 10 women’s). Notre Dame’s newest program, Football, would become the only NCAA scholarship program in the metropolitan Cleveland area.

“I would like to thank Susan Hlavacek, her staff and coaches for all the hard work they have done in advancing the College’s athletic program,” said Roth, who has been NDC’s president in the College’s growth from 11 athletic teams to its current 21. This is a major step for Notre Dame College as we continue to build one of the finest private colleges in the region and a Greater Cleveland success story!”