Monday, December 13, 2004

NORTH GEORGIA MOVING TO NCAA DIVISION II PEACH BELT CONFERENCE

Dahlonega, Ga. - North Georgia College & State University President Nathaniel Hansford, Athletic Director Randy Dunn, and Peach Belt Conference Commissioner Marvin Vanover announced today that the Saints athletic program will be competing in the Peach Belt Conference beginning fall of 2005.

The move marks the first step for the North Georgia athletic department to become a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). This also marks the culmination of a seven year process that the NGCSU administration has undertaken to move the Saints athletics program into the most prestigious college athletic association in the nation.

“North Georgia has been planning for a move to the NCAA for several years and the first step has now occurred with our acceptance in the Peach Belt Conference,” said President Hansford. Hansford added, “Peach Belt Conference member institutions have outstanding academic and athletic programs and we are proud to be a part of this conference. The Peach Belt is a perfect fit for North Georgia.”

Commissioner Vanover officially welcomes President Hansford and NGCSU into the Peach Belt

Beginning in the summer of 2005, North Georgia will begin a four-year probation period in which it will become a member of the NCAA and Division II. The Saints will begin competition in Division II and the Peach Belt fall of 2005, but will not be eligible for post-season play until the probation period ends. The university can apply for a waiver of the final two years of probation at the end of the first year and could become a full member of the NCAA in fall of 2007 if the waiver is approved.

“This is one of the proudest moments in NGCSU athletic history,” athletic director Dunn said. “Being accepted as a member of the Peach Belt Conference is a dream come true. Our goal is to bring positive recognition and championship caliber teams to an already strong and respected conference.” Dunn added, “I have always respected the institutions associated with the Peach Belt Conference and recognized it as a class organization with class people.”

AD Randy Dunn, Commissioner Vanover, and President Hansford

“This is mutually beneficial for the Peach Belt and North Georgia and will have a positive impact for both the conference and university,” Peach Belt commissioner Vanover said. “The reputation of North Georgia, athletically and academically, is what the Peach Belt looks for. The decision to admit North Georgia was unanimously approved by our board.”

The Peach Belt Conference is one of the premier athletic conferences in Division II. The conference has produced 21 NCAA national championship teams in its 14 year history. This past year, two of its members won the national championship, Kennesaw State University in men's basketball and women's soccer, and USC Aiken in men's golf. The Peach Belt sponsors 12 sports for championship. Commissioner Vanover added, “North Georgia has the opportunity to be competitive in all sports, and with Kennesaw State and the University of North Florida moving to Division I, scheduling will be available in all sports.”

North Georgia sponsors 10 intercollegiate varsity sports and is currently a member of the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The Saints would withdraw their membership from the NAIA at the end of the 2005 spring sports season. “For many years, we had a great relationship with the NAIA and SSAC and appreciate the opportunity to have been involved in it,” said President Hansford.

Saints athletic programs have been continually at the top of conference, region, and national standings since it reestablished its athletic program in 1971. North Georgia has won a combined 30 conference titles and four region titles in 33 years. In 1987, the women's basketball program finished second in the nation and women's basketball, baseball, and softball have all been ranked in the top 10 in the NAIA national polls this year.

Members of the Saints coaching staff

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