Azusa Pacific and Terrell Watson are now officially Division II
AZUSA, Calif. – Representing the final step in a three-year membership application process, the NCAA Division II Management Council formally approved Azusa Pacific University for full Division II membership, which was recommended by the Division II Membership Committee two weeks earlier.
Azusa Pacific was notified Wednesday of the decision, putting the finishing touches on the three-year application and membership transition, which allows the Cougars to compete in NCAA Division II postseason play and enjoy all membership privileges effective September 1.
Azusa Pacific’s 19-sport athletics program (eight men’s and 11 women’s) has claimed 51 national championships in 12 different sports, winning 37 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national titles along with 13 National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) championships and one Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) title. While competing in the NAIA, Azusa Pacific won 112 Golden State Athletic Conference championships in 12 of the conference’s 13 sports. In its first two years of competition within NCAA Division II, Azusa Pacific won four conference championships, claiming Pacific West Conference titles in women’s cross country (2012, 2013) and women’s soccer (2013), along with the 2013 Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship in football.
Fifteen of the Cougars’ 19 sports now compete in the PacWest, while three sports hold affiliate conference memberships with the GNAC for football, Pacific Collegiate Swim and Dive Conference for women’s swimming and diving, and the Golden Coast Conference for women’s water polo.
Eight schools advanced to full membership, giving NCAA Division II 300 active members. The other schools who completed the three-year membership process and advanced to full membership were Point Loma Nazarene University, Roberts Wesleyan (N.Y.) University, Shorter (Ga.) University, Southern Nazarene (Okla.) University, Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.) University, Union (Tenn.) University, and Young Harris (Ga.) College.
Azusa Pacific reaction to NCAA approval of active Division II status
President Jon R. Wallace, DBA: “Admission into NCAA Division II represents a significant achievement for our university. The three-year process drew together campus colleagues to establish best practices to advance our Athletics program and reflect our core values. In the years to come, we know this partnership will bolster our athletic program, strengthen our institutional image, and exemplify our shared values.”
Athletics Director Gary Pine: “On behalf of the entire Azusa Pacific intercollegiate athletics program, we’re proud to be full and active members of the NCAA. The transition process of the past three years has been an excellent endeavor that has made us a better and stronger athletic program, one that operates at a better efficiency and with a renewed and stronger partnership with the entire university. I’m very pleased with the enthusiasm and positive attitude our entire athletic staff displayed through the transition. Change is rarely easy, and the move to the NCAA created challenges that our coaches and staff tackled with perseverance and a singular focus to become active and respected members of the NCAA. The future of Cougar athletics is bright and hopeful. We look forward to participating in the advancement of college athletics through the NCAA.”
Azusa Pacific University
Office of Sports Information
Joe Reinsch, Director
626-815-5085 (O), 626-815-5084 (fax)
www.apu.edu/athletics
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