GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Davenport University is pleased to announce that it has accepted an invitation to become a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (GLIAC), with plans to compete on a provisional basis beginning with the 2017-18 academic year. Davenport's participation in the GLIAC is contingent upon acceptance into the NCAA Division II membership program, which should occur by July.

"We have worked diligently to build an athletic program that would be competitive at this level and we look forward to the many ways this will benefit our students, this institution, and other GLIAC member schools," said Dr. Richard Pappas, President of Davenport University. "We have enjoyed our previous affiliation with the NAIA and the rivalries within the WHAC. We look forward to the new challenges and new rivalries as a member of GLIAC."

Purdue University Calumet also was accepted into the GLIAC, bringing the conference to 12 full-time members starting with the 2017-18 academic year. For 2016-17, Davenport will continue its affiliation with the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) of the NAIA. Davenport carries a sports portfolio that includes 20 NAIA varsity programs, including its football team which will begin intercollegiate competition for the first time this fall, plus another 13 programs participating in non-varsity sports. Davenport has won the WHAC All-Sports trophy the past five years and celebrated its first NAIA national championship, in men's soccer, in 2014.

"It has been fulfilling and gratifying to experience the growth in Davenport University Athletics over the past 14 years," said Paul Lowden, Athletic Director of Davenport University. "It has been a long-standing vision for Davenport to develop our programs to meet NCAA Division II standards. Our administration, coaches and student-athletes are prepared to demonstrate that Davenport University will be a model NCAA Division II institution and a successful member of the GLIAC. I would like to truly thank WHAC leaders and athletic directors for their support over the years. I greatly appreciate the relationships that have been fostered during our time in the conference and in the NAIA."

Head women's basketball coach Robyn Scherr-Wells commented, "It is an exciting day for our program to be joining one of the top conferences for women's basketball at the NCAA Division II level. I have long admired the GLIAC and the high quality of play. I am looking forward to taking on this challenge and leading our women's basketball program into this next era."

Head football coach Lou Esposito added, "We are ecstatic about being able to compete in a national power conference and the opportunities this move brings to our new program."
  
GLIAC OFFICIAL RELEASE