Classification: The University of North Dakota announced June 21 that it plans to reclassify to Division I. The process will begin with an exploratory year in 2007-08. Media reports indicated that boosters and the local business community appear to support the decision while the student body is less enthusiastic at the prospect of higher fees. North Dakota has been a member of Division II since it was established in 1973. It also is a charter member of the North Central Conference, which was established in 1922. "The North Central Conference ... remains a strong NCAA Division II conference," said NCC Commissioner Roger Thomas, who previously served as football coach and athletics director at North Dakota. "We are disappointed that North Dakota has decided to pursue membership in Division I. We know that this decision was not taken lightly, and we wish UND the very best in the future. It is sad to see a charter member of our league leave the NCC....We are dedicated to keeping the NCC strong and are aggressively pursuing additional institutions to join the league." Other institutions in the North Central include Augustana College (South Dakota); St. Cloud State University; the University of South Dakota; the University of Minnesota, Duluth; and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Longtime NCC members North Dakota State and South Dakota State Universities currently are reclassifying to Division I.

Conferences: The New York Collegiate Athletic Conference has changed its name to the East Coast Conference and has unveiled logos and trademarks to support the new name. "The ‘East Coast Conference’ name better reflects our constituency and our collective vision for the future," said Commissioner Edward J. Manetta. "The change also affords us the opportunity to make a bold statement about who we are and where we are going with the introduction of new logos and marketing initiatives." The name ‘East Coast Conference’ was last used more than 15 years ago by a Division I league that included institutions from several Northeastern states. That conference disbanded after the 1990-91 academic year ... Stonehill College won its first Northeast-10 Conference President’s Cup for all-around excellence in 2005-06, edging Bryant University ... Post University Athletics Director Dan Mara has been selected as the new commissioner of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference, replacing Bob Oliver. Mara is a member of the Division II Management Council.

Milestones: University of Indianapolis coach Gary Vaught won his 400th game for the Greyhounds on May 7 when his team defeated Kentucky Wesleyan College, 4-2. Vaught has coached a total of 17 years, with other stops at Oral Roberts and Kansas State Universities.

Miscellaneous: Former Division II Presidents Council Chair Don Lubbers of Grand Valley State University recently authored a book, "Old Hopes for a New Place," about his experiences as president of the institution from 1969 to 2001.