GLIAC Expands To Include Walsh & Malone

BAY CITY, Mich. — The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has accepted the membership applications of its two newest members, Malone University (Ohio) and Walsh University (Ohio), which will officially begin membership in the conference on July 1, 2012.

“We are excited to have Walsh and Malone join the GLIAC,” stated Dr. Glenn Mroz, chairperson of the GLIAC Presidents Council. “The member schools in the conference emphasize the development of scholar-athletes, and we are always open to those institutions that share that deep seated value.”
 
The GLIAC Presidents Council, made up of the presidents of the league’s then 14 member institutions, voted to officially accept Malone and Walsh as provisional members until each institution is granted full NCAA Division II membership.  The league’s Management Council voted to recommend to the GLIAC Presidents Council that both institutions be granted membership at its annual fall meeting after both institutions made formal presentations to the league in Traverse City, Michigan on September 27, 2011.

“Malone and Walsh will be tremendous assets to the GLIAC as we grow through expansion,” stated GLIAC Commissioner Dell Robinson.  “These institutions are rich in tradition and success, both academically and athletically. We believe Malone and Walsh will be very competitive in the conference and nationally as they reach NCAA Division II membership.”

Malone and Walsh will not be eligible for GLIAC postseason championships/tournaments in the 2012-13 seasons in sports that have an NCAA Division II automatic qualification.  The sports that have an automatic qualifier include men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, women’s soccer, men’s and women’s tennis and men’s golf.  Both schools will be eligible to participate in championships in the 2012-13 academic year in cross country, women’s golf, men’s soccer, indoor and outdoor track and field. Additionally, Malone will be able to compete in the GLIAC men’s and women’s swimming & diving championships.

Malone University, founded in 1892, has 2,500 students and currently offers 20 intercollegiate sports with an athletic department emphasis of being Christ Centered, Athlete Focused and Coach Driven. Located in Canton, Ohio, Malone is a Christian university for the arts, sciences, and professions in the liberal arts tradition. Affiliated with the Evangelical Friends Church, MU awards both undergraduate and graduate degrees in more than 100 academic programs.  Malone is recognized by the prestigious Templeton Foundation as a leader in character development and is ranked among the top colleges and universities in the Midwest under the category Regional Universities according to U.S. News & World Report’s America’s Best Colleges 2011.

“Conference affiliation is a crucial variable in the NCAA Division II transition process,” commented Malone Athletic Director Charlie Grimes.  “The GLIAC provides Malone University the opportunity to align itself with academically respected and athletically successful institutions within the states of Ohio and Michigan. This conference membership will challenge and enrich our student-athlete experience at Malone and we humbly and enthusiastically step up to this new challenge.”

Founded in 1960, Walsh currently has over 2,900 students and will offer 19 varsity sports in 2012-13.  Located in North Canton, Ohio, Walsh is an independent Catholic, liberal arts institution that encourages individuals to act in accordance with reason guided by the example and teachings of Jesus Christ. The university’s aim is to develop students’ mind, body and spirit – this is Walsh’s distinguished tradition and the heart of its appeal.   Walsh University was recently accepted for membership into Colleges of Distinction, a higher education organization that publishes an annual guide in which universities must rank highly in four areas – engaged students, great teaching, vibrant community and successful outcomes. Walsh University is one of only 10 universities in Ohio – and the only university in Stark County – to be listed in the college guide.

“Walsh is thrilled to be accepted as a member into one of the premier NCAA II conferences, the GLIAC,” exclaimed Walsh Vice President/Director of Athletics, Dale Howard.  “For many reasons, the GLIAC is a great fit for our student-athletes and our sports programs as we will be aligned with institutions that have similar mission statements and goals for their student-athletes, both in and outside of the athletic arena.”

Founded in 1972, the GLIAC has been a leader in the advancement and promotion of intercollegiate athletics for men and women for 40 years. The league boasts 14 full members, nine of which are located in Michigan, and five in Ohio.  The GLIAC’s members in Michigan include:  Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University, Hillsdale College, Lake Superior State University, Michigan Technological University, Northern Michigan University, Northwood University, Saginaw Valley State University, and Wayne State University.  The league’s Ohio institutions include: Ashland University, the University of Findlay, Lake Erie College, Ohio Dominican University and Tiffin University.

The GLIAC conducts championships in 21 sports, 11 for men and 10 for women.  The GLIAC Executive Council is comprised of three representatives from each institution - its director of athletics, senior woman administrator, and faculty athletics representative.