INDIANAPOLIS - The Great American Conference's two provisional members - Northwestern Oklahoma State and Southern Nazarene - advanced in the NCAA Division II Membership Process, the NCAA announced following approval by the Division II Membership Committee.
Southern Nazarene moved from candidacy year two into provisional status, which puts them on track to obtain active status for 2014-15. Northwestern Oklahoma State advanced from the year-one candidacy period into year two.
"This news is very expected," GAC Commissioner Will Prewitt said. "SNU and NWOSU have each done an excellent job of moving their athletic programs towards full compliance with NCAA Division II rules. We're happy to have both schools in the GAC and are glad to countdown one more milestone on the road towards each gaining full Division II membership."
"We are excited to be one step closer in completing this process," said SNU Director of Athletics Bobby Martin. "We couldn't be happier with the job our coaches and administration have done over the past two years to put new processes in place and adapt to the changes. We look forward to another year full of challenges and feel confident in the job we are doing and people we have in place as we make this transition."
“We are elated at the news. Getting the go-ahead for step two further validates the efforts of our faculty, staff and the Alva community over the past year,” Northwestern President Dr. Janet Cunningham said. “The NCAA transition process is by no means an easy one, but we continue to rise to the challenge.”