League Plan Moves Forward
From the SWO website
July 13, 2010
RUSSELLVILLE, ARK--- The chief executive officers of nine universities in Arkansas and Oklahoma announced on Tuesday, July 13, 2010, that they intend to apply to the National Collegiate Athletic Association for permission to create a new NCAA Division II conference.
The members of the proposed new conference would be the University of Arkansas at Monticello, Arkansas Tech University, East Central University, Harding University, Henderson State University, Ouachita Baptist University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Southern Arkansas University and Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
"The intent of the conference is to group together similar institutions in terms of budgets and goals," said the presidents, chancellors and directors of athletics from the nine institutions in a joint statement. "Furthermore, the conference is intended to be made up of universities that field an intercollegiate football program. Our most important goals in this new endeavor are to limit time away from class and limit our travel costs."
The nine member institutions plan to submit a conference strategic plan, a conference constitution and conference by-laws to the NCAA by Dec. 1, 2010.
No decisions have been made regarding the name of the new conference or the location of the conference office.
The pursuit of creating the new conference will not affect athletic schedules for the 2010-11 academic year.
SE Announces Conference Alignment Plan
From the SOSU website
July 13, 2010
The chief executive officers of nine universities in Arkansas and Oklahoma announced today that they intend to apply to the National Collegiate Athletic Association for permission to create a new NCAA Division II conference.
The members of the proposed new conference would be the University of Arkansas at Monticello, Arkansas Tech University, East Central University, Harding University, Henderson State University, Ouachita Baptist University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Southern Arkansas University and Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
“The intent of the conference is to group together similar institutions in terms of budgets and goals,” said the presidents, chancellors and directors of athletics from the nine institutions in a joint statement. “Furthermore, the conference is intended to be made up of universities that field an intercollegiate football program. Our most important goals in this new endeavor are to limit time away from class and limit our travel costs.”
"After extensive discussions with the other eight presidents/chancellor and athletic directors in Arkansas and Oklahoma, it was obvious that we all have a great deal in common as far as philosophies, goals and resources relating to academics and intercollegiate athletics,” said Southeastern president Larry Minks. “Furthermore, in terms of enrollment, there is little disparity among the nine institutions. We also foresee a reduction in the amount of missed class time by our student-athletes and a savings in travel expenses. After thoughtful consideration, we believe this decision is in the best interests of our student-athletes and that the new conference will be a good fit for Southeastern on a long-term basis.”
Said SE athletics director Keith Baxter: “We are excited to be part of a new conference with the opportunity to develop new rivalries. The Lone Star Conference is an outstanding league with great tradition. Since joining the LSC in 1995, Southeastern has been very competitive, not only in the conference, but nationally as well with a national championship in baseball (2000) and as a finalist in the national women’s basketball tournament (2002). This is a tribute to both our coaches and student-athletes and we look forward to continued success in our new conference.”
The nine member institutions plan to submit a conference strategic plan, a conference constitution and conference by-laws to the NCAA by Dec. 1, 2010.
No decisions have been made regarding the name of the new conference or the location of the conference office.
The pursuit of creating the new conference will not affect athletic schedules for the 2010-11 academic year.
ECU set to join newly-formed conference
From the ECU website
The chief executive officers of nine universities in Arkansas and Oklahoma announced on Tuesday, July 13, 2010, that they intend to apply to the National Collegiate Athletic Association for permission to create a new NCAA Division II conference.
The members of the proposed new conference would be the University of Arkansas at Monticello, Arkansas Tech University, East Central University, Harding University, Henderson State University, Ouachita Baptist University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Southern Arkansas University and Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
"The intent of the conference is to group together similar institutions in terms of budgets and goals," said the presidents, chancellors and directors of athletics from the nine institutions in a joint statement. "Furthermore, the conference is intended to be made up of universities that field an intercollegiate football program. Our most important goals in this new endeavor are to limit time away from class and limit our travel costs."
The nine member institutions plan to submit a conference strategic plan, a conference constitution and conference by-laws to the NCAA by Dec. 1, 2010.
If approved, the new conference affiliation will begin on July 1, 2011, and athletic competition in the new conference could commence as early as the beginning of the 2011-12 academic year.
No decisions have been made regarding the name of the new conference or the location of the conference office.
"This was a well thought out and researched decision, keeping in mind what was in the best interest of our student-athletes. The closer geographical proximity of these schools will mean less travel time, reduced cost, and less missed class time for our student-athletes. This goes along with the Division II Life in Balance initiatives that have recently been adopted by the membership. We're extremely excited about this joint venture with our fellow Oklahoma schools (Southeastern Oklahoma State and Southwestern Oklahoma State) and the six Arkansas schools. We look forward to the work that is in front of us with the goal of becoming a fully certified Division II conference by the spring of 2011," said ECU Director of Athletics Brian DeAngelis.
"Each of our institutions have benefitted greatly from being part of the Lone Star Conference. No doubt the conference is and will continue to be one of the premiere conferences in Division II. Our decision to seek the formation of a new conference is in no way a reflection of negative feelings toward the Lone Star Conference. We believe putting ourselves in a conference with other similarly situated universities will benefit our institutions. Each of us pledge to work closely with Commissioner Stan Wagnon, President Joseph Rallo and the remainder of our colleagues in the Lone Star Conference to make the transition as smooth as possible. We will work with everyone in the Lone Star Conference to assure that all matters will be handled in a professional and seamless manner," said President John Hargrave.
Arkansas-Monticello Statement
Arkansas Tech Statement
Harding Statement
Henderson State Statement
Ouachita Baptist Statement
Southern Arkansas Statement
Gulf South Statement
(If links are not active, then school or conference has not posted an official release)
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