Seton Hill to Join West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

Seton Hill University announced today (March 8, 2006) its move to Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC). University President Dr. JoAnne Boyle made the announcement following the regular spring meeting of the University Board of Trustees.

The University will complete its competition schedule with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ (NAIA) American Mideast Conference (AMC) in 2006-2007 and expects to play its first full conference regular season schedule with the WVIAC in 2007-2008.

“We appreciate very much the long history we have enjoyed with the NAIA and will miss the relationships we have developed,” said Chris Snyder, Seton Hill executive director of athletics. “As Seton Hill continues to grow and build for the future, the time is right to move to the competitive environment of the NCAA.”

“This decision was not made lightly,” said President Boyle. “We believe that NCAA Division II, with its emphasis on academic success and the preparing of student-athletes to be good citizens, leaders and contributors in their communities, will best suit Seton Hill and its students going forward.”

“The Seton Hill community is honored to join the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, and looks forward to building competitive rivalries with our new partners,” Boyle added. “The WVIAC is a nationally respected and competitive conference that provides Seton Hill with the opportunity to continue to recruit serious students and serious athletes. We know that Seton Hill students will contribute positively to the Conference and continue to excel in the classroom and on the athletic field.”

Seton Hill University’s athletic programs will field 21 intercollegiate athletic teams during the upcoming 2006-2007 academic year: men’s teams in 10 sports including baseball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, basketball, lacrosse, tennis, wrestling, and track and field and women’s teams in 11 sports including softball, cross country, field hockey, soccer, volleyball, basketball, lacrosse, tennis, equestrian, and track and field. For more information on Seton Hill athletics, please visit www.setonhill.edu.

The West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference has 15 active members, and was founded in 1925 by an act of the West Virginia Department of Education. More information on the WVIAC can be found at www.wviac.org.

Over 280 colleges and universities across the country compete in NCAA Division II. Members of NCAA Division II believe that the educational welfare of the participating student-athlete is of primary concern. For more information on NCAA Division II, please visit www.ncaa.org.