Five Universities to Join G-MAC All-Private School Athletic Conference in 2017
Walsh University President Richard Jusseaume and Vice President/Director of Athletics Dale Howard announced today that the University has accepted the invitation to join the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) for the start of the 2017-2018 academic year. Walsh will join with Ohio Dominican University, Hillsdale College, Lake Erie College and The University of Findlay to become the newest members of the G-MAC, reinforcing the development of a significant, all-private school athletic conference.
The G-MAC is a NCAA Division II athletic conference with institutions in Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Walsh has competed as a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Association (GLIAC) since 2011 and will continue its affiliation with the GLIAC for the next two academic years.
"Walsh is in the fortunate position to be leaving a great conference, the GLIAC, to join another great conference in the G-MAC," said President Jusseaume. "It has been an honor to be affiliated with the GLIAC for the past several years and this was not a decision we made lightly. After careful consideration, we recognized that this move would be the right fit for the future of our athletic programs and a benefit for our student-athletes both on the field and in the classroom. We’re grateful for this incredible opportunity to join with our partners at Ohio Dominican University, Hillsdale College, Lake Erie College and The University of Findlay to reinforce the G-MAC as the premier all-private school athletic conference."
Walsh sponsors 20 varsity sports, with 10 men’s and 10 women’s sports that will have a full schedule of G-MAC competition in its first year in the league. Walsh University has been a full standing member of the NCAA Division II athletic conference since 2013. For more information on Walsh's athletic programs, click here.
"We look forward to competing in the G-MAC and believe that this move will strengthen and enrich Walsh’s existing athletic programs," said Howard. "Making the move with four well-respected and established institutions will also ensure that we are all on the same timeline for competitive play. The G-MAC will provide Walsh with an increased exposure in West Virginia, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee for not only our athletics but also for Walsh’s excellent academic programs. Logistically, a more concise travel schedule will benefit our scholar-athletes by reducing the number of missed classes and providing more time for academic enrichment. "
Read more: Great Midwest Athletic Conference Adds Five Member Institutions
Current members of the G-MAC are Alderson Broaddus University, Cedarville University, Davis & Elkins College, Kentucky Wesleyan University, Malone University, Ohio Valley University, Salem International University, Trevecca Nazarene University, and Ursuline College.
The Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC), was approved by the NCAA Division II Membership Committee in February of 2012 as a member conference and earned active status in July of 2013 after completing an educational assessment program in 2012-13. The conference began competition as the 24th active NCAA Division II conference in 2013-14.
Charter members of the G-MAC included Cedarville University, Kentucky Wesleyan College, Trevecca Nazarene University and Ursuline College. The G-MAC expanded with the inclusion of Alderson Broaddus University, Davis & Elkins College, Ohio Valley University and Salem International University as active DII members. Recently, Malone University has announced it will be joining the G-MAC in 2016-17 as a full member.
The G-MAC, headquartered in the Indianapolis metro area, sponsored 17 championships in 2014-15 as an active NCAA Division II conference.