Lindenwood Magazine - Spring 2022

16 17 SPRING 2022 EDITION SPRING 2022 EDITION THE LINDENWOOD THE LINDENWOOD ATHLETICS LINDENWOOD UNIVERSITY LINDENWOOD ANNOUNCES TRANSITION TO NCAA DIVISION I AND OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE LINDENWOOD ATHLETICS On February 23, Lindenwood officially accepted an invitation to join the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) starting in the fall of 2022. Lindenwood, which sponsors 18 of the OVC’s championship sports, will become official members on July 1. The Ohio Valley Conference is adding Lindenwood as the tenth full-time member. Lindenwood will join University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Eastern Illinois University, Morehead State University, Southeast Missouri State University, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, University of Southern Indiana, Tennessee State University, Tennessee Technological University, and the University of Tennessee at Martin as OVC full member institutions. “We are delighted to add Lindenwood University as the tenth member of the OVC for the 2022–23 academic year,” said OVC Commissioner Beth DeBauche. “President Porter’s vision for the future of the institution, along with Lindenwood’s commitment to success, its geographic alignment with the OVC and its sports offerings, including football, and our shared philosophy and values make them a great fit for the Conference. We are excited to welcome Lindenwood to our OVC community.” Lindenwood is set to begin its reclassification process to the NCAA Division I level during the 2022–23 academic year. The Lions will be included in OVC regular season schedules and be eligible to compete in OVC Championships. Eligibility for Lindenwood to earn automatic bids to NCAA Championships begins in 2026–27, its first full season of full Division I membership. “Lindenwood is thrilled to join the Ohio Valley our entire university and provide championship-level experiences our student athletes deserve,” Lindenwood President Dr. John Porter said. “A move to NCAA Division I athletics and membership in the OVC enhances our Lindenwood University community in many ways and aligns with our strategic plan– it will drive enrollment, enhance university visibility, and generate revenue. We are eager to begin competition at this next level and look forward to welcoming OVC member schools to our campus beginning this fall.” Lindenwood became a full NCAA Division II member during the 2013–14 school year. As one of the largest athletic departments in the country, Lindenwood supports 30 sports at the NCAA level. With a student-athlete population exceeding 1,400 at Lindenwood, more than 700 compete in an NCAA sport. Lindenwood has an overall enrollment of just north of 7,000 students from across the world. Since joining the NCAA, Lindenwood has won four National Championships, with the most recent being the 2021 women’s lacrosse team. In 2017, Lindenwood ranked sixth in the NCAA Directors’ Cup, which included five team conference titles. In the NCAA era, Lindenwood has claimed three regional championships, 32 conference titles, and eight conference tournament championships. Lindenwood has garnered 13 individual national champions at the NCAA level. In addition to the individual achievement, six student-athletes have earned the NCAA Elite 90 Award for academic and athletic success throughout the season. Lindenwood’s NCAA sport programs have combined for a 3.0 GPA or higher since the start of the 2013–14 school year. On the heels of winning the ACHA National Championship, the men’s ice hockey program will transition to NCAA Division I in the 2022–23 school year. The Lions claimed the title with an 8-3 win on March 15 at Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, Mo. Lindenwood made its announcement to NCAA Division I on March 24. A move to NCAA Division I athletics and membership in the OVC enhances our Lindenwood University community in many ways and aligns with our strategic plan— it will drive enrollment, enhance university visibility, and generate revenue. We are eager to begin competition at this next level and look forward to welcoming OVC member schools to our campus beginning this fall. Photo Credit: Don Adams Jr. Photo Credit: Don Adams Jr. PRESIDENT PORTER