Lee University Cleared to Join Division II Transition Process

Courtesy Michael Anderson, GSC Assistant Commissioner for Media and Public Affairs

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn. became the latest institution to throw its hat into the Division II ring this past Friday when the NCAA Division II Membership Committee approved its application for membership.  The approval starts the three-year transition process.

The Flames will remain an active affiliate of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) this season.  Beginning in 2013-2014 and continuing through the 2014-2015 academic years, LU will operate as a NCAA “provisional status” member while moving towards membership in the Gulf South Conference.  Lee is expected to be placed into the GSC’s league schedules in 2013-14 as part of its transition efforts.

Lee University President Robert Conn expressed his excitement in his institution’s approval and its future as a GSC member.  “Nate Salant, Commissioner of the GSC called Friday night to congratulate us. He and his staff have been very helpful through this process.  He already is thinking of Lee as if we were already full members of the conference, and I am convinced more than ever that the Gulf South is going to be the best possible Division II conference in the country for us. Some people call it “the SEC of Division II,” and I can see why it has such a great reputation.”

The Division II Membership Committee released other good news for the GSC on Friday as Conference Provisional Members Shorter University and Union University (TN) were elevated to the Year Candidacy 2 stage of the membership process.  SU and UU will play in each of the GSC’s league schedules this season and are on track to become full NCAA members in 2014-15.

Argos Sponsors