News Summary
Vanguard University is set to fully transition to NCAA Division II membership for the 2025-26 academic year after two years of provisional membership. Having previously been part of NAIA, the university successfully met all NCAA compliance and operational benchmarks. The transition opens up new opportunities for athletic teams, allowing them to compete in postseason events and enhancing the university’s athletic program. The move is expected to boost recruiting efforts and competition opportunities, marking a significant milestone for Vanguard athletics.
Costa Mesa – Vanguard University is set to officially transition to a full NCAA Division II member for the academic year 2025-26. This significant step marks the culmination of nearly two years of provisional membership following the university’s approval to join NCAA Division II status.
Previously, Vanguard University had been part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) since 1986. It entered its three-year transition period towards NCAA Division II membership two years ago. The university has managed to exceed the NCAA’s compliance, academic, and operational benchmarks within a year, allowing it to waive the final year of this transitional period.
Vanguard’s Athletic Director expressed keen excitement about the transition, indicating that it aligns with the university’s vision for small college athletics, particularly on the West Coast. The recent opening of the 61,000-square-foot Freed Center for Leadership and Service last autumn heralds a new era in Lions athletics, enhancing the school’s commitment to its athletic programs.
Despite competing under a Division II schedule last year, Vanguard athletic teams were on probation and therefore ineligible for postseason play. Nevertheless, had they been eligible, both the men’s soccer and women’s basketball teams would have qualified for the Division II playoffs based on their strong performance. The women’s basketball coach noted an encouraging trend in team dynamics and performance, especially during its inaugural season in NCAA play, achieving an overall record of 18-8 and 16-4 in the Pacific West Conference.
With the upcoming transition, Vanguard teams will join the Pacific West Conference as full competitors and will become eligible for postseason events and Division II national championships. Following the university’s NCAA Division II status, ticket sales for athletic events doubled last year, reflecting a positive trajectory for the future.
Vanguard University’s NCAA Division II teams currently include a wide range of sports: baseball, basketball (both men’s and women’s), cross country, golf, soccer, softball, track and field, and women’s volleyball. Additionally, men’s volleyball and men’s and women’s wrestling will compete in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. There will also be participation in sports like STUNT, women’s beach volleyball, and dance, which will aim for championships outside the NCAA framework.
As student-athletes prepare to face a quicker pace of play and heightened competition in NCAA Division II, the transition is expected to boost recruiting efforts and enhance competition opportunities. For the time being, Vanguard will continue as a member of the NAIA Golden State Athletic Conference for the upcoming school year. Following that, the university is poised to fully join the Pacific West Conference in Fall 2024, though for the initial two years in the PacWest, its athletic programs will remain ineligible for NCAA postseason play. However, participation in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) for postseason competition will be permitted.
This move not only aims to restore regional rivalries but also enhances competition, aligning with institutions that maintain a strong academic and athletic reputation.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Vanguard University Granted Full NCAA Division II Membership
- Wikipedia: NCAA Division II
- Orange County Register: Vanguard University Shifting to NCAA Division II
- Google Search: Vanguard University NCAA Division II
- Los Angeles Times: Vanguard Dedicate Freed Center for Leadership and Service
- Google Scholar: Vanguard University athletics
- Los Angeles Times: Vanguard University to Join NCAA Division II
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Vanguard University
