NCAA denies PNW’s Division II bid

Hunter Saporiti, Sports Editor|August 29, 2016

The NCAA rejected PNW’s application to join Division II athletics on July 15, a goal the newly unified university had been striving toward for nearly five years. PNW will remain a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

When PNW athletics director Rick Costello was hired in 2012 to lead PUC athletics, efforts were made to make PUC a viable option for the NCAA, such as adding more collegiate sports teams to PNW’s current total of 13. After PUC was accepted into the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in January, an NCAA Division II conference, PUC officials were hopeful of NCAA acceptance.

“The NCAA did not accept PNW because they were concerned that PNW has not yet functioned as a unified institution or athletics program,” Costello said.

PNW’s lack of time spent as a unified institution had been a concern for many throughout the NCAA application process. This was made evident in January, when Ariel Langley, former PNC women’s cross country runner, helped create a petition that described multiple difficulties and concerns stemming from the recent unification. The petition received over 300 signatures.

“I believe that PNW acted too soon. This application was turned in prior to both campuses having the opportunity to adjust to all of the other changes occurring academically and athletically,” Langley said.

The PNC faculty senate also held strong opposition to the pursuit of NCAA membership, creating document FS 15-11 in February. The document requested to suspend the attempt to join GLIAC until multiple conditions laid out by the senate were met.

The document was rescinded by the PNC faculty senate due to the acknowledgement of PNC’s concerns, primarily that PNC was not being included in GLIAC discussions as well as travel issues, and the creation of an ad hoc-committee was formed to increase communication and provide representation for PNC.

“Issues were addressed, and PNC gained representation and input in the process,” said Elizabeth Anne Christo-Baker, chair of the Faculty Senate Student Affairs Committee.

With the creation of the ad-hoc committee and the acceptance into the GLIAC conference, PNW moved forward in the NCAA application process when NCAA officials visited both campuses in May. Costello said the visit was for NCAA officials to view facilities and meet with the PNW NCAA Compliance Committee as well as the Joint Senior Leadership Team, faculty, students and coaches from both campuses.

“They [NCAA] enjoyed the facilities and development at Dowling Park and loved the new Dworkin Center in Westville,” said Tom Albano, PNW associate athletic director for Compliance.

Timeline for PNW’s Division II endeavor

2011: Plans are announced to create a new PUC outdoor athletics complex.

September 2012: PUC hires Rick Costello as athletics director, replacing John Friend who served on an interim basis.
February 2014: Plans are announced to unify PUC and PNC into a single university.
2014: Costello increases the number of PUC’s sports teams from 10 to 12, the minimum required for NCAA admission, with the addition of baseball and softball.
October 2015: PUC applies to the GLIAC (an NCAA Division II conference).
Oct. 30, 2015: Dowling Park grand opening
Jan. 14, 2016: PUC accepts GLIAC invitation.
January 2016: A petition is created in opposition of PUC’s pursuit of NCAA admission due to perceived unfairness and inequality from PNC.
February 2016: PUC applies for NCAA Division II admittance.
Feb. 12, 2016: PNC faculty senate passes document 15-11, requesting to suspend membership in the GLIAC due to travel concerns, among other issues.
May 2016: NCAA officials visit both PUC and PNC campuses and athletics facilities.
July 1, 2016: PNW becomes official, unifying PUC and PNC.
July 6, 2015 Costello is named PNW athletics director.
July 15, 2016: The NCAA rejects PNW’s application to join NCAA Division II.