The NCAA notified both schools in a July 13 conference call about their progression in the three-year membership process. Shorter and Union are now one-third of the way through the process and on pace to gain active membership status by the 2014-15 academic year.
"The move to the next milestone in the NCAA Division II process has appropriately taken on a team effort," said Jerry Tidwell, Union University's senior vice president for university relations. "Our athletic administration and coaches have given their best efforts in making this step possible. I am proud of our entire athletic family and team."
Both schools will begin competition within the Gulf South Conference in Division II this fall but will not be eligible for NCAA championships.
"Our participation in the Gulf South Conference is one of the most exciting aspects of our move to the NCAA," said Bill Peterson, Shorter's director of athletics. "The GSC is the SEC of NCAA Division II so we will have our work cut out for us. That said, I know that our coaches and our student-athletes are looking forward to the challenge."
Compiled by Tim Ellsworth, editor of BPSports (www.bpsports.net) and director of news and media relations at Union University in Jackson, Tenn.
Copyright (c) 2012 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press www.BPNews.net
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