The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- September 13, 1999

NCAA membership continues upward climb

Total of 1,260 establishes another record; 14 more provisional members are added

For the second consecutive year, total NCAA membership has reached an all-time high.

The latest report shows 1,260 active, provisional, conference, affiliated and corresponding members, including nine member institutions that moved from provisional to active status.

There also are 14 colleges or universities that began a four-year path to active membership as provisional members.

Belmont University is the only provisional member that moved to active status in Division I. Anderson College and Oklahoma Panhandle State University became active members in Division II. The other six active members are in Division III and include Cazenovia College; Eastern Oregon University; George Fox University; Maranatha Baptist Bible College; University of Pittsburgh, Bradford; and University of Puget Sound.

Total active membership increased by nine from September 1, 1998 -- from 964 to 973 -- which represents a 1 percent increase. Division I increased by a total of eight member institutions -- from 310 to 318 -- including reclassifications that became effective September 1. Total active membership in Division II declined by five -- from 267 to 262 -- and Division III increased by six -- from 387 to 393.

Seven Division II member schools reclassified their entire athletics programs to Division I. Alabama A&M University, Elon College, Sacred Heart University, State University of New York at Albany and State University of New York at Stony Brook reclassified their programs to Division I-AA. High Point University and Oakland University reclassified their programs to Division I-AAA.

Three other Division II schools reclassified part of their athletics programs to Division I, including American International College in men's ice hockey; Drury College in men's and women's soccer; and University of Nebraska, Omaha, in men's ice hockey.

Two Division I-AA programs moved to Division I-A. They are Middle Tennessee State University and State University of New York at Buffalo.

In the only other reclassification effective September 1, Grand Canyon University moved its Division I baseball program into Division II with the rest of its athletics program.

Provisional membership

A three-year application process for provisional members was adopted at the 1994 NCAA Convention. The provisional period was extended to four years, effective August 1, 1997. The first two years are considered educational or orientation years in which the member receives all NCAA forms, publications, mailings and general information from the national office regarding the activities of the Association, and participates in an extensive educational assessment initiative.

Provisional members are expected to be in full compliance with the Association's legislation during the third and fourth years. They also are required to administer their athletics programs under the rules of their preferred division.

Also during the second, third and fourth years, the members may be counted for the purpose of meeting scheduling requirements as an NCAA opponent in the division in which they are seeking active membership.

The 14 new provisional members just entering the four-year path to active status are: