News Summary
Vanguard University has officially received full NCAA Division II membership, set to take effect in the upcoming athletic year. This milestone follows its successful transition from NAIA, allowing its teams to compete fully within the Pacific West Conference and for NCAA championships. The move enhances the university’s athletic profile, with improved facilities and a stronger competitive standing. The transition is expected to bolster community support and student engagement in athletics, paving the way for a new era of opportunities for its student-athletes.
Costa Mesa – Vanguard University has received full NCAA Division II membership, which will take effect in the 2025-26 athletic year. This significant transition marks a milestone for the university, which has been a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) since 1986. The university was provisionally approved for NCAA Division II status two years ago, and it successfully expedited its transition by meeting all compliance, academic, and operational benchmarks a year ahead of schedule, resulting in the waiver of the final year of the typical three-year transition period.
With this new membership, Vanguard’s athletic teams can now fully compete in the Pacific West Conference (PacWest) and participate in postseason events and NCAA Division II national championships. Previously, during their probationary year, Vanguard teams played under NCAA Division II guidelines, but they were ineligible for the postseason. The men’s soccer and women’s basketball teams would have qualified for Division II playoffs had they been allowed to compete.
Vanguard’s women’s basketball team finished the last season with a strong 18-8 overall record and ranked second in the Pacific West Conference with a 16-4 record. The excitement surrounding this transition is palpable, according to the university’s Athletic Director, Jeff Bussell, who expressed enthusiasm about the changing landscape of small college athletics on the West Coast.
Vanguard’s move to NCAA Division II coincides with the anticipated opening of the Freed Center for Leadership and Service, a new 61,000-square-foot athletic facility. This modern facility is expected to provide enhanced training and competition space for athletes, helping to elevate the overall athletic experience at the university.
Vanguard’s NCAA Division II sports programs include baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, track and field, and women’s volleyball. Additionally, the men’s volleyball and wrestling teams will compete in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, while other sports such as STUNT, women’s beach volleyball, and dance will compete outside of the NCAA framework. This diverse range of sports reflects Vanguard’s commitment to expanding its athletic offerings and increasing student engagement in campus activities.
The transition to NCAA Division II is expected to benefit the university’s athletic program by enhancing its brand and increasing ticket sales. Following the announcement of the move, ticket sales doubled last year, indicating heightened interest and support from the local community and student body. Delaney Hill, a senior on the women’s volleyball team, noted a noticeable increase in the game speed at this new level of competition but shared enthusiasm about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
For the upcoming school year, Vanguard University will continue to compete in the NAIA before fully transitioning to the PacWest Conference in fall 2024. This preparatory phase allows the athletic community to adjust to the heightened competition and standards that come with NCAA Division II affiliation. The men’s volleyball team recently crowned their season with an NAIA title, showcasing the university’s strong athletic foundation and potential for success in NCAA competitions.
Ultimately, Vanguard University aims to enhance its reputation and competitive standing in the broader context of NCAA athletics. The university’s strategic transition to NCAA Division II is set to open new doors for its student-athletes while positioning Vanguard as a serious competitor on the collegiate sports landscape.
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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 and PacWest Conference
- Google Search: Vanguard University NCAA Division II
- Los Angeles Times: Vanguard University to Join NCAA Division II
- Google Scholar: Vanguard University athletics
- Visalia Times-Delta: Tulare County Athletes and College Choices
- Encyclopedia Britannica: NCAA
- Orange County Business Journal: University Expands Sports with New $41.5M Building
- Google News: Vanguard University athletics
