ASHLAND – The Ashland University Board of Trustees has confirmed the school's decision to join the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, beginning in the 2021-22 academic year.
The University, which has claimed four Division II national championships in the past seven years, will be the 14th member of the nine-year-old GMAC, which includes schools from Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. The conference will host all 22 NCAA-sponsored sports currently offered at AU.
The Eagles will remain in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference for the 2020-21 academic year. AU was a founding member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference in 1978 and has been a member of the GLIAC since 1995.
“We are confident that this move best serves our student-athletes, coaches and fans, mindful of the fact that Ashland University has an excellent reputation as a DII school,” said AU President Carlos Campo. “Over the years, AU athletes have distinguished themselves as fine athletes and outstanding young men and women. We look forward to joining the many schools we have come to know well over the years, as well as forging new traditions in the coming years.”
Based in Indianapolis, GMAC includes Alderson Broaddus University, Cedarville University, University of Findlay, Hillsdale College, Kentucky Wesleyan College, Lake Erie College, Malone University, Ohio Dominican University, Ohio Valley University , Tiffin University, Trevecca Nazarene University, Ursuline College and Walsh University. Davis & Elkins College, Mercyhurst University, Seton Hill University, and Wheeling University are associate members in the sport of men's lacrosse.
Findlay and Hillsdale are among AU's oldest rivals, noted AU Athletics Director Al King, and Ohio Dominican also has a shared history with the Eagles. Additionally, seven of the GMAC member schools are a day trip from the Ashland campus.
“This makes it easier for fans and parents to see more road games,” King said. “It also makes it easier for the university and the athletic department to plan special events and fundraising activities before or after road games.”
As a member of the GMAC, the Eagles will also play schools in the Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Nashville metro areas, which King said he hopes will gain additional AU media exposure.
“Ashland is one of the most well-rounded Division II athletic programs and is a perfect fit for the Greater Midwest in terms of mission, profile and dedication to the student-athlete experience,” said GMAC Commissioner Tom Daeger. I commend the leadership of President Campo and Athletic Director Al King in developing this partnership and we look forward to focusing on the continued success of the institution and the conference with the Eagles.
