Thomas More University is moving into its third year of provisional membership with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC). This announcement brings the Saints one step closer to becoming full members of NCAA Division II.
2023-24 Highlights:
- Provisional Membership: In the 2023-24 school year, the Saints began competition in the G-MAC with provisional Division II membership, eligible to compete for conference championships and tournaments.
- Athletic Achievements: 25 athletes were named All-Conference, 38 student-athletes were named to College Sports Communicators Academic All-District, and 180 were named G-MAC Academic All-Conference.
- Bowling: Maycie Merritt was named co-bowler of the year, and Alison McDonald earned the G-MAC Elite 26 Award.
- Wrestling: Daulton Mayer captured the G-MAC Championship in the 185lb weight class, with 10 wrestlers qualifying for the NCWA Championship. Cole Thomas and Ryan Moore brought home titles, and six earned All-American status.
- Team Sports: Women’s and men’s soccer, women’s and men’s basketball, and women’s lacrosse earned spots in the G-MAC tournament, with men’s basketball earning tournament runner-up. Five Saints were named G-MAC Freshmen of the Year.
Following the mandatory three-year transition period, the Saints will be eligible to compete for NCAA DII championships during the 2025-26 school year.
Statements and Future Plans:
“We are thrilled to be moving forward into our third year of provisional membership, bringing us closer to our goal of becoming a full-fledged NCAA Division II institution,” says Terry Connor, vice president and director of athletics. “We look forward to continuing our progress and building on this momentum in the coming year. This is a step forward as we work diligently to enhance opportunities for our student-athletes.”
Previous Competitions:
- NAIA: Prior to the 2023-24 academic year, the Saints competed in the NAIA as a member of the Mid-South Conference (MSC) for four years.
- NCAA Division III: Before entering the NAIA in fall 2019, the Saints were highly competitive as an independent and as a member of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference in NCAA Division III, earning championships at both the conference and national level.
Institutional Commitment:
“This transition to the NCAA underscores our commitment to student success and a standard for excellence in all aspects of university life,” says Thomas More University President Joseph L. Chillo, LP.D. “It parallels the investments we are making in our athletics programs, including renovations and enhancements of our facilities, creating more opportunities for students to excel in the classroom and on the field. We are excited about the future and the continued positive impact this transition will have on our students, alumni, and the broader Thomas More community.”
Second Century Campaign:
- Initiated in Fall 2021: Supports the goals of the five-year Strategic Plan – Lighting the Way, including enhancing athletic facilities for many of the Saints’ intercollegiate sports teams.
- Key Milestones:
- March 29, 2024: Marked the first home game at the Saints’ newly renovated softball complex.
- January 2023: Announcement of the acquisition of the Northern Kentucky Racquet Club (Five Seasons Family Sports Club), providing additional training and workout facilities and becoming the permanent home for the men’s and women’s tennis teams.
- March 2022: Partnership with the Florence Y’alls, resulting in the renaming of their home to Thomas More Stadium, which also became the home of the Thomas More Saints baseball team.
- 2021: Renovations at Republic Bank Field and the surrounding track, home to football, soccer, rugby, lacrosse, cross country, and track & field teams.
