INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The light of the end of the tunnel is getting a little closer and a little brighter for Houghton College's transition to full NCAA membership.
The NCAA Division III Membership Committee and the Division III Management Council have approved Houghton College for its fourth – and final – year of provisional membership effective September 1.
Provided Houghton completes the final provisional year in 2015-16, the college is on track to be a full NCAA member in the fall of 2016 and eligible for NCAA postseason championships and other full member benefits.
"We are pleased to be entering our fourth and final year of provisional membership in NCAA Division III," said Houghton President Dr. Shirley Mullen. "This entire process has strengthened our athletic program, and, in combination with the new Kerr-Pegula Athletic Facilities, has positioned Houghton to better serve both our own student-athletes and the entire Western New York Region. We are grateful to our colleagues in the Empire 8 who have welcomed us into their midst and look forward to full participation in the conference in the days ahead."
Houghton recently completed its third year of provisional status, while competing as a full member of the Empire 8 Conference. Houghton teams continued to see success on the conference level, while Highlander student-athletes garnered numerous all-conference honors for their skills in the field of play and were among the conference leaders in department GPA and percentage of student-athletes maintaining a GPA above 3.75.
Highlighting the year was the opportunity for Houghton teams to compete in E8 postseason play. The Highlander volleyball and baseball teams each took part in their respective sport's tournaments. Houghton was also able to play host to the E8 Indoor Track and Field Championships and will host the E8 Cross Country Championship this fall and the E8 Outdoor Track and Field Championships next spring.
"I was very pleased to receive word from the NCAA Membership Committee that we had been promoted to our final year of provisional membership," said Houghton Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics H. "Skip" Lord. "We have worked diligently to become a contributing member of the NCAA and the Empire 8. It is an honor to be associated with both of these prestigious organizations. Our entire department and college are prepped for this final push and look forward to full membership, with all its responsibilities and privileges, in the fall of 2016."
Houghton athletics administrators have also been active in NCAA professional development conferences and Lord was recently elected as second vice president for the Empire 8 Conference.
The five-year NCAA membership process begins with an exploratory year, followed by four years of provisional status. Houghton is one of five schools beginning the fourth year of provisional status.
Houghton continues to hold membership in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), providing most Highlander teams with additional regional and national postseason opportunities.
