List of schools reclassifying their athletic programs to NCAA Division I

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The following is a list of United States colleges and universities that are either in the process of reclassifying their athletic programs to NCAA Division I, or have announced future plans to do the same.[1]

Currently reclassifying[]

This is limited to schools that have begun the formal Division I reclassification process.

Institution Athletics Previous Division II conference Current Division I conference Start Year Active
(Full member)		 Refs
California Baptist University Lancers Pacific West Conference Western Athletic Conference 2018–19 2022–23 [2]
University of North Alabama Lions Gulf South Conference ASUN Conference
Football: Big South Conference through 2021, ASUN from 2022		 2018–19 2022–23 [3]
Merrimack College Warriors Northeast-10 Conference Northeast Conference 2019–20 2023–24 [4]
Bellarmine University Knights Great Lakes Valley Conference ASUN Conference 2020–21 2024–25 [5][6]
Dixie State University[a] Trailblazers Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Western Athletic Conference
(played football as FCS independent in 2020–21)		 2020–21 2024–25 [7]
Tarleton State University Texans Lone Star Conference Western Athletic Conference
(played football as FCS independent in 2020–21)		 2020–21 2024–25
University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego) Tritons California Collegiate Athletic Association Big West Conference 2020–21 2024–25 [8]
Institution Athletics Previous Division III conference Current Division I conference Start Year Active
(Full member)		 Refs
University of St. Thomas Tommies Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Summit League
Football: Pioneer Football League
Ice hockey: CCHA (men), WCHA (women) 		2021–22 2025–26[9] [10][11][12]
  1. ^ Dixie State will change its name to Utah Tech University on July 1, 2022. The nickname of Trailblazers will not change.

Future reclassifications[]

This is limited to schools that have officially announced plans to reclassify to Division I, but have not yet begun their transitions.

Institution Athletics Current Division II conference Future Division I conference Start year Active
(Full member)		 Notes
Lindenwood University Lions Great Lakes Valley Conference Ohio Valley Conference 2022–23 2026–27 [13]
University of Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles Great Lakes Valley Conference Ohio Valley Conference 2022–23 2026–27 [14]
Texas A&M University–Commerce Lions Lone Star Conference Southland Conference 2022–23 2026–27 [15]

References[]

  1. ^ "Multidivision and Reclassifying for 2014–15" (PDF). NCAA. August 7, 2014. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  2. ^ "CBU announces D-1, WAC move" (Press release). California Baptist Lancers. January 13, 2017. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  3. ^ "UNA Accepts ASUN Division I Invitation" (Press release). North Alabama Lions. December 6, 2016. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  4. ^ "Merrimack College Accepts Invitation to Join the Northeast Conference" (Press release). Northeast Conference. September 10, 2018. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  5. ^ "ASUN Conference Announces Addition of Bellarmine University" (Press release). ASUN Conference. June 18, 2019. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  6. ^ "Bellarmine University athletics announces move to NCAA Division I" (Press release). Deseret News. June 18, 2019. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  7. ^ "Dixie State to move up to Division 1, join Western Athletic Conference in 2020-21" (Press release). Deseret News. January 11, 2019. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  8. ^ "A New Era: UC San Diego to Join Big West Conference" (Press release). University of California, San Diego. November 27, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  9. ^ Haugen, Emily (July 15, 2020). "BREAKING: St. Thomas approved to begin transition to Division I athletics". TommieMedia. Minneapolis, Minnesota. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  10. ^ "Oct 4 2019 Announcement". University of St. Thomas. Minnesota: University of St. Thomas. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  11. ^ "University of St. Thomas invited to join Division I Summit League". FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul. October 4, 2019. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  12. ^ "St. Thomas announces intentions to go Division I after getting removed from MIAC". Star Tribune. October 5, 2019. Retrieved October 5, 2019.
  13. ^ "Lindenwood Announces NCAA Division I Reclassification Bid". Lindenwood University. February 23, 2022. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  14. ^ "University of Southern Indiana to Join the Ohio Valley Conference in 2022-23" (Press release). Ohio Valley Conference. February 9, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  15. ^ "Southland Conference Extends Membership to Texas A&M University–Commerce" (Press release). Southland Conference. September 28, 2021. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
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