Ohio Athletic Conference

Ohio Athletic Conference
Ohio Athletic Conference
OAC
Established	1902
Association	NCAA
Division	Division III
Members	10
Sports fielded	23 men's: 12; women's: 11; ;
Region	Ohio
Headquarters	Westerville, Ohio
Commissioner	Sarah Otey (since 2021)
Website	oac.org
Locations

The Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) was formed in 1902 and is the third oldest athletic conference in the United States. Its current commissioner is Tim Gleason. Former commissioners include Mike Cleary, who was the first General Manager of a professional basketball team to hire an African American head coach, and would later run the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA). The Ohio Athletic Conference competes in the NCAA's Division III. Through the years, 31 schools have been members of the OAC. The enrollments of the current ten member institutions range from around 1,000 to 4,500. Member teams are located in Ohio.

Members[]

Current members[]

Locations of members in the Ohio Athletic Conference

Institution	Location	Founded	Joined	Type	Enrollment	Nickname
Baldwin Wallace University	Berea, Ohio	1845	1915	Private (Non-sectarian)	4,177	Yellow Jackets
			1923^[a]
			1961^[b]
Capital University	Bexley, Ohio	1830	1927	Private (Lutheran)	3,628	Comets
Heidelberg University	Tiffin, Ohio	1850	1907	Private (United Church of Christ)	1,500	Student Princes
John Carroll University	University Heights, Ohio	1886^[c]	1932	Private (Roman Catholic)	3,700	Blue Streaks
John Carroll University	University Heights, Ohio	1886^[c]	1989^[d]	Private (Roman Catholic)	3,700	Blue Streaks
Marietta College	Marietta, Ohio	1835	1926	Private (Non-sectarian)	1,430	Pioneers
University of Mount Union	Alliance, Ohio	1846	1914	Private (Non-sectarian)	2,223	Purple Raiders
Muskingum University	New Concord, Ohio	1837	1922	Private (Presbyterian)	1,779	Fighting Muskies
Ohio Northern University	Ada, Ohio	1871	1916	Private (United Methodist)	3,577	Polar Bears
Ohio Northern University	Ada, Ohio	1871	1973^[e]	Private (United Methodist)	3,577	Polar Bears
Otterbein University	Westerville, Ohio	1847	1921	Private (United Methodist)	3,080	Cardinals
Wilmington College	Wilmington, Ohio	1870	2000	Private (Religious Society of Friends)	990	Quakers

^ Baldwin-Wallace left the OAC after the 1918–19 season, but re-joined for the 1923–24 season.
^ Baldwin-Wallace left again after the 1947–48 season, but returned yet again for the 1961–62 season
^ Founded as St. Ignatius College in Cleveland, Ohio
^ John Carroll left the OAC after the 1948–49 season, but returned for the 1989–90 season.
^ Ohio Northern left the OAC after the 1948–49 season, but returned for the 1973–74 season.

Associate members[]

Institution	Location	Founded	Joined	Type	Enrollment	Nickname	Sport	Primary Conference
Defiance College	Defiance, Ohio	1850	2011	Private (United Church of Christ)	1,000	Yellow Jackets	swimming & diving (m) swimming & diving (w)	HCAC
Manchester University	North Manchester, Indiana	1860	2015	Private (Church of the Brethren)	1,250	Spartans
Transylvania University	Lexington, Kentucky	1780	2012	Private (Disciples of Christ)	1,120	Pioneers

Former members[]

Institution	Location	Founded	Joined	Left	Type	Nickname	Colors	Current Conference
University of Akron^[a]	Akron, Ohio	1870	1915	1936	Public	Zips		MAC (NCAA D-I)
University of Akron^[a]	Akron, Ohio	1870	1948	1966	Public	Zips		MAC (NCAA D-I)
Ashland University	Ashland, Ohio	1878	1931	1948	Private (Brethren)	Eagles		GLIAC (NCAA D-II)
Bowling Green State University	Bowling Green, Ohio	1910	1933	1942	Public	Falcons		MAC (NCAA D-I)
Case Institute of Technology	Cleveland, Ohio	1880	1902	1948	Private	Scientists (1918–1940)	^[1]	UAA
Case Institute of Technology	Cleveland, Ohio	1880	1902	1948	Private	Rough Riders (1940–1971)	^[1]	UAA
University of Dayton	Dayton, Ohio	1850	1926	1934	Private	Flyers		A-10
Denison University^[b]	Granville, Ohio	1831	1907	1928	Private (Non-sectarian)	Big Red		NCAC
Denison University^[b]	Granville, Ohio	1831	1933	1984	Private (Non-sectarian)	Big Red
Hiram College^[c]	Hiram, Ohio	1850	1920	1935	Private (Disciples of Christ)	Terriers
			1951	1971
			1989	1999
Kent State University	Kent, Ohio	1910	1932	1951	Public	Golden Flashes		MAC (NCAA D-I)
Miami University	Oxford, Ohio	1809	1911	1928	Public	RedHawks^[d]		MAC (NCAA D-I)
Kenyon College	Gambier, Ohio	1824	1902	1984	Private (Episcopal)	Lords (men's) Ladies (women's)		NCAC
Oberlin College	Oberlin, Ohio	1833	1902	1984	Private (Non-sectarian)	Yeomen (men's) Yeowomen (women's)		NCAC
Ohio State University	Columbus, Ohio	1870	1902	1912	Public	Buckeyes		Big Ten (NCAA D-I)
Ohio University^[e]	Athens, Ohio	1804	1910	1925	Public	Bobcats		MAC (NCAA D-I)
Ohio Wesleyan University^[f]	Delaware, Ohio	1842	1902	1928	Private (Methodist)	Battlin' Bishops		NCAC
Ohio Wesleyan University^[f]	Delaware, Ohio	1842	1947	1984	Private (Methodist)	Battlin' Bishops		NCAC
University of Cincinnati	Cincinnati, Ohio	1819	1910	1924	Public	Bearcats		The American (NCAA D-I)
University of Toledo	Toledo, Ohio	1872	1932	1947	Public	Rockets		MAC (NCAA D-I)
Western Reserve University	Cleveland, Ohio	1826	1902	1932	Private	Pioneers (1920–1928)	^[2]	UAA
Western Reserve University	Cleveland, Ohio	1826	1902	1932	Private	Red Cats (1928–1971)	^[2]	UAA
Wittenberg University^[g]	Springfield, Ohio	1845	1909	1928	Private (Lutheran)	Tigers		NCAC
Wittenberg University^[g]	Springfield, Ohio	1845	1934	1989	Private (Lutheran)	Tigers
The College of Wooster	Wooster, Ohio	1866	1907	1984	Private (Non-sectarian)	Fighting Scots
Xavier University	Cincinnati, Ohio	1831	1921	1936	Private (Catholic)	Musketeers		Big East (NCAA D-II)

^ Akron left the OAC after the 1935–36 season, but rejoined in the 1948–49 season before leaving for good after the 1965–66 season.
^ Denison left the OAC after the 1927–28 season, but rejoined in the 1933–34 season before leaving for good after the 1983–84 season.
^ Hiram first left the OAC after the 1934–35 season, rejoining in the 1951–52 season. It left the OAC again after the 1970–71 season, returning in the 1989–90 season before leaving for good after the 1998–99 season.
^ During Miami's tenure in the OAC, the school had no established nickname; "Boys", "Big Reds", and "Red and White" were used interchangeably. "Redskins" made its first appearance in 1928; by 1931, that nickname became official.
^ Ohio adopts conference rules in 1909 that go into effect for the 1910 season."Ohio University Football", Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati, OH, p. 4, September 27, 1909
^ Ohio Wesleyan left the OAC after the 1927–28 season, but rejoined in the 1947–48 season before leaving for good after the 1983–84 season.
^ Wittenberg left the OAC after the 1927–28 season, but rejoined in the 1934–35 season before leaving for good after the 1988–89 season.

Membership timeline[]

Historical membership of the OAC: current members in red and former members in steel.

History[]

The Ohio Athletic Conference was found in 1902 with six charter members—Case Tech, Kenyon, Oberlin, Ohio State, Ohio Wesleyan, and Western Reserve. By 1934, the conference reached an all-time high of twenty-four members,^[3] seeing many schools come and go throughout the upcoming decades. By 2000, the conference solidified to its current form with the addition of its final school, Wilmington, to ten members.

Sports[]

In 2018–19, the OAC sponsors the following championships:

**Conference sports**
Sport	Men's	Women's
Baseball	Y
Basketball	Y	Y
Cross Country	Y	Y
Football	Y
Golf	Y	Y
Lacrosse	Y	Y
Soccer	Y	Y
Softball		Y
Swimming & Diving	Y	Y
Tennis	Y	Y
Indoor Track	Y	Y
Outdoor Track	Y	Y
Volleyball		Y
Wrestling	Y

Facilities[]

School	Football stadium	Capacity	Basketball arena	Capacity	Baseball field	Capacity	Softball field
Baldwin Wallace	George Finnie Stadium	10,000	Rudolph Ursprung Gymnasium	2,800	Heritage Field		Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds Field
Capital	Bernlohr Stadium	3,000	Capital Center	2,100	Clowson Field		Clowson Field
Heidelberg	Hoernemann Stadium	1,300	Seiberling Gymnasium		Peaceful Valley		Frann's Field
John Carroll	Don Shula Stadium	5,416	Tony DeCarlo Varsity Center	2,500	Schweickert Field		Bracken Outdoor Athletic Complex
Marietta	Don Drumm Stadium	5,000	Ban Johnson Arena	1,457	Don Schaly Stadium	1,500	Marietta Field
Mount Union	Mount Union Stadium	5,600	McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex	3,000	23rd Street Field		23rd Street Field
Muskingum	McConagha Stadium	5,000	Anne C. Steele Center	2,500	Mose Morehead Field		Donna J. Newberry Field
Ohio Northern	Dial-Roberson Stadium	3,500	ONU Sports Center		Wander Field		ONU Softball Field
Otterbein	Memorial Stadium	2,400	Rike Center	3,100	Otterbein Baseball Field		Otterbein Softball Field
Wilmington	Williams Stadium	3,500	Fred Raizk Arena	3,500	Tewksbury-Delaney Field		WC Softball Field

OAC Tournament Championship History[]

Men's Swimming & Diving[]

2016-19: John Carroll
2006-16: Ohio Northern

Women's Swimming & Diving[]

2017-19: John Carroll
2015-16: Mount Union

Men's Basketball[]

2020-21: Marietta College
2019-20: Mount Union
2018-19: Baldwin Wallace
2017-18: John Carroll
2016-17: Marietta
2015-16: John Carroll
2014-15: Mount Union
2013-14: Wilmington
2012-13: Marietta
2011-12: Capital
2010-11: Marietta
2009-10: Wilmington
2008-09: John Carroll
2007-08: Heidelberg
2006-07: Capital

Women's Basketball[]

2019-20: Baldwin Wallace
2018-19: John Carroll
2017-18: Marietta
2016-17: Ohio Northern
2015-16: Mount Union
2014-15: Baldwin Wallace
2013-14: Capital
2012-13: Ohio Northern
2009-10, 2010–11, 2011-12: Mount Union
2008-09: Capital
2007-08: Baldwin Wallace
2005-06, 2006-07: Wilmington
2002-03, 2003-04: Wilmington

Football[]

2017–19: Mount Union
2016: John Carroll
1992–2015: Mount Union
1990: Baldwin Wallace
1989: John Carroll
1988: Wittenberg

Baseball[]

2019: Otterbein
2018: Baldwin Wallace
2017: Otterbein
2015–16: Marietta
2014: John Carroll
2013: Mount Union
2011–12: Marietta
2010: Heidelberg

Men's Soccer[]

2018-19: John Carroll
2017: Otterbein
2016: John Carroll
2015: Ohio Northern
2014: Heidelberg
2010–13: Ohio Northern
2009: Capital and Ohio Northern (tie)
2008: Ohio Northern
2004: Wilmington
2000: Wilmington

Women's Soccer[]

2019: Ohio Northern
2018: Otterbein
2017: Ohio Northern
2016: Mount Union
2013–15: Capital
2012: Ohio Northern
2011: Capital
2010: Otterbein

Women's Volleyball[]

2018–19: Ohio Northern
2017: Otterbein
2016: Ohio Northern
2015: Heidelberg
2011–14: Mount Union
2010: Heidelberg
2009: Ohio Northern
2008: Heidelberg

Men's Golf[]

2015–19: Otterbein
2014: Baldwin Wallace
2011: Mount Union
2009–10: Otterbein
2007–08: Mount Union
1998–06: Otterbein
1997: John Carroll
1996: Otterbein
1994–95: John Carroll
1992–93: Otterbein
1991: Heidelberg and Hiram (tie)
1990: John Carroll
1988–89: Wittenberg
1987: Muskingum

Men's Wrestling[]

2016–19: Baldwin Wallace
2012–14: Heidelberg
2011: Mount Union
2006–10: Heidelberg
2002–05: John Carroll
2001: Ohio Northern
2000: Muskingum

Men's Cross Country[]

2018-2019: Otterbein
2015–2017: Ohio Northern
2012–2014: Mount Union
2011: Ohio Northern
2010: Mount Union
2009: Heidelberg
2007–2008: Ohio Northern
2005–2006: Mount Union
2003–2004: Otterbein
2001–2002: Mount Union
2000: Heidelberg

Women's Cross Country[]

2015–18: Otterbein
2014: Mount Union
2013: John Carroll
2010–12: Ohio Northern
2009: Baldwin Wallace
2008: Ohio Northern
2007: Baldwin Wallace
2006: Ohio Northern

Men's Lacrosse[]

2016–19: John Carroll
2013–15: Otterbein

Women's Lacrosse[]

2014–19: Mount Union

References[]

External links[]

Official website

[1] Baldwin-Wallace left the OAC after the 1918–19 season, but re-joined for the 1923–24 season.

[2] Baldwin-Wallace left again after the 1947–48 season, but returned yet again for the 1961–62 season

[3] Founded as St. Ignatius College in Cleveland, Ohio

[4] John Carroll left the OAC after the 1948–49 season, but returned for the 1989–90 season.

[5] Ohio Northern left the OAC after the 1948–49 season, but returned for the 1973–74 season.

[6] Akron left the OAC after the 1935–36 season, but rejoined in the 1948–49 season before leaving for good after the 1965–66 season.

[8] Denison left the OAC after the 1927–28 season, but rejoined in the 1933–34 season before leaving for good after the 1983–84 season.

[9] Hiram first left the OAC after the 1934–35 season, rejoining in the 1951–52 season. It left the OAC again after the 1970–71 season, returning in the 1989–90 season before leaving for good after the 1998–99 season.

[10] During Miami's tenure in the OAC, the school had no established nickname; "Boys", "Big Reds", and "Red and White" were used interchangeably. "Redskins" made its first appearance in 1928; by 1931, that nickname became official.

[11] Ohio adopts conference rules in 1909 that go into effect for the 1910 season."Ohio University Football", Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati, OH, p. 4, September 27, 1909

[12] Ohio Wesleyan left the OAC after the 1927–28 season, but rejoined in the 1947–48 season before leaving for good after the 1983–84 season.

[14] Wittenberg left the OAC after the 1927–28 season, but rejoined in the 1934–35 season before leaving for good after the 1988–89 season.

[7] ttps://case.edu/its/archives/Sports/teams.htm

[13] ttps://case.edu/its/archives/Sports/teams.htm

[15] ttps://etd.ohiolink.edu/!etd.send_file?accession=osu1486662800883214&disposition=inline

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