Purdue Calumet Sports Update, January 15, 2016

PUC-GLIAC-Invitation-Brings-Emerging-Purdue-University-Northwest-Closer-to-NCAA-Division-IIGLIAC Invitation Brings Emerging Purdue University Northwest Closer to NCAA Division II
Purdue University Calumet, in anticipation of becoming part of the emerging Purdue University Northwest is one step away from becoming an NCAA Division II athletics affiliate.

The Council of Presidents of the NCAA II Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference voted Thursday night (1/14) to invite the transitioning Purdue institution into its membership.

Conference invite necessary for NCAA II
Invited membership into an NCAA II conference is necessary to qualify for NCAA Division II affiliation. In anticipation of becoming part of the unified Purdue University Northwest with Purdue University North Central of Westville, Purdue Calumet plans to apply for NCAA Division II membership by Feb. 1.

Pending approval by the Higher Learning Commission, Purdue Calumet and Purdue North Central will unify into Purdue University Northwest in time for the start of the 2016-17 academic year. The unification would make Purdue Northwest the fifth largest university in Indiana with an enrollment of some 15,000 students.

Could be GLIAC-eligible in 2017-18
Subsequent acceptance into NCAA II would make Purdue Northwest eligible to compete as a GLIAC member commencing with the 2017-18 academic year.

“Being invited into the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, as we anticipate our transition to Purdue University Northwest, aligns us with a group of institutions similar to PNW in size, philosophy and academic commitment,” Purdue Calumet Chancellor and Purdue Northwest Chancellor-Designate Thomas L. Keon said. “We are excited about the opportunity to join a conference with the prestige of GLIAC, which will motivate our teams and student-athletes to compete and succeed at the next level.”

GLIAC membership primarily in Michigan
The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference is comprised of 12 primarily public universities, most located in Michigan. As a GLIAC member, Purdue Northwest would compete against such institutions as Ashland, Ferris State, Grand Valley State, Lake Superior State, Michigan Tech, Northern Michigan, Northwood, Saginaw Valley State, Wayne State and Tiffin.

“Today is an amazing day for Purdue University Calumet and our athletics program,” Purdue Calumet Director of Athletics and Purdue Northwest Director of Athletics-Designate Rick Costello said. “The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference is a conference comprised of

outstanding universities. We look forward to competing in a league that is focused on developing academic and athletic champions. We are excited to apply to the NCAA Division II in 2016 and join the GLIAC in 2017.”

Meantime, Purdue Calumet, Purdue North Central and ultimately Purdue Northwest remain members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference.

GLIAC responses
"We are pleased to announce the approval of GLIAC membership by our Council of Presidents for Davenport University and Purdue University Calumet," GLIAC Commissioner Dell Robinson said. "We are excited to have these two institutions be the newest members of the conference and look forward to the opportunities and positive attributes they will bring to our league."

GLIAC Council of Presidents Chair and Northwood University President Keith Pretty added, "We are excited to be extending an invitation to Purdue University Calumet and Davenport University to join the GLIAC. We are confident they will be successful in their bid to gain NCAA Division II status, and then join the GLIAC as full members in 2017-18."

Purdue Calumet Earns NSCAA Academic Team Award
After an impressive showing in the classroom, the Purdue University Calumet women's soccer team was awarded the 2014-15 National Soccer Coaches Association of America Team Academic Award, in results released by the national organization.

To earn the award - which is presented one season behind - teams must have an average grade point average of 3.0 or higher. A total of 906 teams - 587 of them women's squads - received the honor.

The 2014-15 Peregrines' women's soccer team recorded a team G.P.A of 3.23 to earn the award after finishing the season with an overall record of 7-11. The award marked the second straight for the Peregrines, who also recieved the honor for the 2013-14 team.

The full release for all 2014-15 award winners can be found at http://www.nscaa.com/awards/2014-15-college-team-academic-award-winners