Concordia University Irvine Invited to Enter NCAA Division II Membership Process

IRVINE, CA--(Marketwired - Jul 15, 2014) - Concordia University Irvine announced today that it has been accepted into the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II Membership Process and will be joining the Pacific West Conference starting in 2015 - 2016. The NCAA membership process will include yearly comprehensive reviews and audits for the next three years by the NCAA Membership Committee.

Consistent growth in enrollment and financial stability at Concordia University Irvine, as well as mounting notoriety in athletics and academic honors and achievements, have positioned Concordia University Irvine to pursue NCAA Division II membership with expectations that it will provide the best experience for students, alumni, faculty, and staff.

"After thorough and well-planned consideration, we believe the Division II model falls directly in line with our Lutheran heritage, our core values, our approach to a whole person educational experience, and our mission of empowering students through the liberal arts and professional studies for lives of learning, service, and leadership," said Dr. Kurt Krueger, President of Concordia University Irvine. "Concordia is poised to meet the qualifications and standards that define the NCAA Division II attributes of learning, service, balance, passion, resourcefulness, and sportsmanship. We are honored to be accepted by the NCAA Membership Committee to formally begin the membership process."

At present, Concordia University Irvine possesses key requirements in terms of its exceptional faculty, staff, and educational elements needed for acceptance into NCAA Division II. It has been a long and well thought-out process. Beginning in fall 2012, President Krueger commissioned a 14-member committee involving various focus groups across campus including faculty, staff, alumni, student government, and student-athletes. The recommendation to make application was unanimously adopted by the Board of Regents in fall 2013. The University has continued to strategically cultivate campus-wide resources that further support the Board of Regent's recommendation and will continually assess the necessary steps the University must take to become a model NCAA Division II Intercollegiate Athletic Program.

"We are thrilled to welcome Concordia University Irvine into the PacWest and the NCAA Division II membership process," said Bob Hogue, Commissioner of the Pacific West Conference. "The Eagles' outstanding commitment to athletics, academics and their community make them a perfect fit for the PacWest."

Concordia University Irvine has 18 varsity sports and approximately 450 student-athletes who currently participate in its intercollegiate athletic program. Over the last four years, Concordia University Irvine has won five NAIA National Championship Titles in baseball, men's basketball, women's volleyball, men's volleyball and most recently, softball in 2013, furthering the momentum of an already strong program.

"We are finding more and more student-athletes are choosing NCAA Division II institutions based upon the balanced emphasis placed on both academic excellence and athletic achievement. Concordia University Irvine and the NCAA share the vision to provide a comprehensive educational experience that combines athletic excellence with the pursuit of academic excellence," said Dave Bireline, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at CUI. "The University has been blessed over the years to build a highly competitive and sought-after athletics program. This is a milestone in Concordia University's long history of growth. We look forward to the opportunities the NCAA and the PacWest will provide as we pursue membership in the NCAA Division II process."

The following video provides more information about athletics at Concordia University Irvine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvgKmgQL5zo&feature=youtu.be

About Concordia University Irvine
Concordia University Irvine prepares students for their vocations -- their calling in life. Concordia University Irvine offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and adult degree programs in a beautiful Southern California location in the City of Irvine with online and regional cohort options. Concordia's undergraduate program is distinctive among universities in California because of its nationally recognized Core Curriculum, and its Lutheran heritage that provides a thoughtful and caring Christian community that lives out the theology of "Grace Alone. Faith Alone." Concordia is a U.S. News Top Tier Regional University and has been named by The Chronicle of Higher Education as one of the fastest growing private nonprofit master's institutions. Concordia University Irvine enrolls over 4,000 students.