April 10, 2007

OLATHE, Kan. - The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced today that University of Northwestern Ohio's application to join the NAIA was approved by the NAIA Council of Presidents at the 66th annual NAIA National Convention, held March 16-20 in Kansas City, Missouri.

"Everyone at the University of Northwestern Ohio is excited about being accepted into the NAIA," said President of the University of Northwestern Ohio Jeff Jarvis. "The NAIA philosophy on academics and athletics aligns perfectly with the goals that the university had set when completing our due diligence on starting our athletic program."

The University of Northwestern Ohio announced in 2002 a ten year development plan to bring back athletics to the Lima, Ohio campus. Record student body growth and the expansion of campus facilities, property and academic programs made it a natural fit to include athletics as part of the present and future university offerings. Athletic teams are student-athlete based. Academics are the first priority for all participants and academic progress is continually monitored. Character, sportsmanship, pride, community and leadership play a major role in all those involved in the university athletics program.

"The NAIA is committed to character-driven intercollegiate athletics and provides student-athletes an environment that values academic and athletic excellence," said NAIA President and CEO Jim Carr. "The University of Northwestern Ohio shares the Association's commitment to high standards and to the principle that participation in athletics serves as an integral part of the total education process. The NAIA looks forward to the renewed partnership and is dedicated to provide services and memorable championship experiences for NAIA institutions and student-athletes."

The national office works closely with member conferences to identify prospective members in the region. NAIA conferences are highly involved throughout the evaluation process to ensure a good fit for prospective institutions at both the conference and national levels.

"The standards set forth by the NAIA were exactly what we wanted because of the association's emphasis on promoting the entire student-athlete concept which embodies what we want our athletes to experience while attending the University of Northwestern Ohio," said Athletics Director Chris Adams. "Admittance into the highly respected and competitive NAIA propels us into the arena of allowing us to properly and efficiently resurrect the athletic program at the University of Northwestern Ohio."

The University of Northwestern Ohio will field teams during the 2007-08 seasons in men's and women's basketball, men's and women's golf and men's and women's tennis. Athletic fields and courts are under construction on campus land and construction projects are ongoing to completely renovate the gymnasium with a new wood floor, bleachers and scoreboard, four new locker rooms, offices and a training room.

To learn more about the Northwestern Ohio athletics visit www.unoh.edu.  

NAIA

A leader in the development of student-athletes, the NAIA is committed to changing the culture of sport through Champions of Character. Founded in 1937, the NAIA continues to be a pioneer in implementing exceptional standards for academics, diversity, and character. Today, the NAIA sponsors 23 collegiate championships in 13 sports for its nearly 300 member institutions throughout the United States and Canada.

University of Northwestern Ohio

The University of Northwestern Ohio is an entrepreneurial, not-for-profit institution of higher learning, preparing students for careers and productive citizenship that encompass the business, profession, corporate and technological communities by providing quality education and training in response to the needs and aspirations of our constituents.