National Collegiate Athletic Association

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Lee, Mississippi College enter Division II membership process

Both schools succeed in appeals; begin first year of candidacy

Brian Hendrickson
NCAA.org

The Division II Membership Committee reviewed clarifying information submitted as part of the appeals process by Mississippi College and Lee University during a teleconference earlier this month. The committee overturned its initial decisions for both institutions allowing them to advance in their pursuit of Division II membership. 

Mississippi College was initially denied entry into the membership process. However, the committee’s most recent decision means that the institution will start the three-year process this year.

Lee had completed its first year of candidacy in 2012-13, but the membership committee initially determined the school should repeat year one. The committee’s decision now allows Lee to enter its second year of candidacy in 2013-14.

Additional appeals were reviewed by the Division II Management Council Subcommittee.

The subcommittee upheld the membership committee’s decision in July to deny Auburn-Montgomery’s membership application. Auburn-Montgomery had initially been accepted into the three-year membership process. However, the Division II Management Council requested the committee review its decision in light of the school’s probationary status with the NAIA.  Information from the NAIA and notice to the school did not become public until after the committee made its initial decision.

On review of the new information, the membership committee reversed its decision, noting the institution was placed on probation by the NAIA, breaching one of the application requirements.

Other waiver decisions from the Management Council Subcommittee include:

• The subcommittee overturned the membership committee’s decisions in July to deny the applications of Southern Wesleyan and Emmanuel College (Ga.). Based on the totality of the circumstances, the subcommittee noted that it felt both institutions were prepared to enter the membership process and accepted their applications.
• The subcommittee upheld the membership committee’s decision to have Rogers State repeat the first year of candidacy.