March 5, 2014 (Jackson) - The Belhaven University Board of Trustees has voted unanimously to approve application for NCAA Division III membership as Belhaven’s future national athletics affiliation. The vote was taken during the semi-annual Board of Trustees meeting on February 28, 2014. The NCAA Division III Membership Committee had already granted an invitation to Belhaven to participate in the Division III Exploratory Process, and this most recent Board decision allows Belhaven to complete the NCAA Division III membership process.
“I’m thrilled that after extensive study and evaluation, our Board has determined that Belhaven’s goals for providing a quality experience for our student-athletes will best be matched in the future by the priorities of NCAA Division III,” said Calvin Wells, Chairman, Belhaven University Board of Trustees. “Our new athletics affiliation correctly blends a commitment to quality academics into our students’ experience, while providing tough competition against some of the best known colleges and universities in America.”
In addition, the Presidents of the American Southwest Conference (ASC) member institutions have extended an invitation for Belhaven to join the ASC and begin competition in the fall of 2015, with the 2014-15 school year as Belhaven’s final year of NAIA membership and competition.
Scott Little, Vice President for Athletics, added, “There is a dynamic spirit within Belhaven Athletics, and we now sponsor 15 sports involving over 375 student-athletes. This is such a natural fit with all we want to achieve both competitively and academically. We are thankful for decades of NAIA membership, and we look forward to our future in NCAA Division III.”