USI says it’s accelerating its transition to full membership in the NCAA’s Division 1. WNIN’s John Gibson reports:
The decision was announced in a joint statement by USI Interim President Steve Bridges and USI Vice President and Director of Athletics Jon Mark Hall.
They say after analyzing information from the NCAA on a recent ruling regarding transitioning from Division II to Division I athletics, and after discussing the information with campus constituents, USI decided to pursue an expedited reclassification.
Bridges and Hall say the campus community will work hard to fulfill the criteria to be eligible for NCAA Championships beginning in 2025-26.
Under the previous path, USI Athletics wouldn’t have been eligible for the postseason until 26-27.
Officials point to the women's basketball team winning the regular season and Ohio Valley Conference championships in 2024 as well as league titles in men's and women's cross country.
Academically, USI Athletics earned the OVC Institutional Achievement Award during the first two years in the conference.
USI decided to jump to Division 1 in 2022, under the leadership of former University President Ron Rochon.