INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. ----- The NCAA Division III Management Council at its meeting on Monday (July 19) approved the request by Centenary College (La.) for reclassification to Division III. The four-year reclassifying member program for Centenary will officially begin September 1, 2010.
"We are not surprised by this outcome and have always felt confident in acceptance for Division III reclassification because of the quality of our athletic program, our affiliation with the American Southwest Conference and our institution," Dr. Tom Tallach, Centenary College Director of Athletics, said.
"This was a critical benchmark for the institution and its future. We appreciate this opportunity and will work hard to demonstrate that we can meet and exceed the expectations of the Division III membership."
Centenary College will begin membership in the American Southwest Conference July 1, 2011 after completion of its final year of commitment to The Summit League. Teams will continue playing predominantly Division I opponents in 2010-11 before shifting to predominant Division III competition in 2011-12.
"The American Southwest Conference membership is pleased to have Centenary College begin the Division III reclassification process in September," Amy Carlton, commissioner of the American Southwest Conference, said. "This will not only put Centenary on track in realigning its athletic program, but will also permit the ASC to move forward in its integration of the Gents and Ladies into conference schedules and programming."
Centenary College will become the 16th member of the American Southwest Conference and the second in the State of Louisiana. The ASC roster includes institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Over 4,250 student-athletes participate in the 16 championship sports sponsored by the ASC.