Kennesaw State makes the jump into Division I

Having moved its women's soccer and men's golf programs to NCAA Division I competition this year‚ Kennesaw State University announced today that it has made application to the National Collegiate Athletic Association to take the balance of the university's intercollegiate athletics program into NCAA Division I competition effective in the fall of 2005.

Georgia (Dec 2, 2004) — Having moved its women's soccer and men's golf programs to NCAA Division I competition this year‚ Kennesaw State University announced today that it has made application to the National Collegiate Athletic Association to take the balance of the university's intercollegiate athletics program into NCAA Division I competition effective in the fall of 2005.

"Today's action marks another milestone for our university‚" said President Betty L. Siegel. "Having achieved success both on and off the athletic field‚ this is the right time in the history of KSU to move to the highest division of college athletics. Academics and athletics have always been equal partners in student success at Kennesaw State. Having made enormous strides in raising the academic standards and excellence of our university in recent years‚ it is now time to raise the competitive bar and opportunities for our student−athletes‚ our coaches and our athletic staff."

Subject to completion of the current "exploratory" year‚ KSU will commence a four−year "transition" process in the fall of 2005‚ during which the school's athletic teams will begin competition in Division I. As required by NCAA rules‚ the teams will not be eligible for NCAA Division I national championship tournaments during this transition period. The university will compete for NCAA championships during the 2009−10 academic year.

"Without question the move to Division I is one of the proudest moments in the history of Kennesaw State‚" said KSU Athletic Director‚ Dr. Dave Waples. "In direct reflection of the university's growth in academics and stature‚ the athletic department has worked to prepare ourselves for this defining moment. After laying the groundwork for success at the Division II level‚ we eagerly look forward to the challenge of competing in the nation's top division."

In planning it's move to Division I‚ Kennesaw State has explored opportunities for membership in several outstanding athletic conferences that meet the university's criteria and mutual interests. While no formal affiliation has been agreed upon‚ the university is in ongoing discussions with the Atlantic Sun Conference. KSU anticipates beginning Division I conference competition in the fall of 2005.

KSU is currently a member of the Division II Peach Belt Conference‚ but would withdraw its membership from the league upon conclusion of this exploratory year. The university will remain eligible for all Peach Belt and Division II national championships for the balance of the 2004−2005 academic year.

Kennesaw State‚ which began its intercollegiate athletics program in the fall of 1982 as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)‚ has competed at the NCAA Division II level since 1994. The program began with women's basketball and men's and women's cross−country as its only sports. Currently the Owls sponsor 11 intercollegiate sports‚ including six for women and five for men and will add men's and women's indoor track and women's golf for the 2005−06 season to meet conference and Division I regulations.

Kennesaw State has a proud tradition of winning athletics. The Owls have won six team (Baseball−2‚ Softball−2‚ Women's Soccer and Men's Basketball) national championships and 33 conference championships in the program's 10−year history of competition in the NCAA. In addition‚ KSU has captured the Peach Belt Commissioner's Cup award‚ which annually honors the top overall athletics program in the conference‚ on two occasions.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the second-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 126 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.