The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III membership committee approved Penn State Brandywine's application for provisional membership beginning Sept. 1.
During the three-year provisional stage of Division III membership, Brandywine will be required to comply with all NCAA policies, procedures and legislation, while meeting all NCAA benchmarks for new members. Brandywine is in the midst of completing its exploratory year, the first in a four-year transition process to earning full Division III membership.
Penn State Brandywine Chancellor Marilyn J. Wells said joining the NCAA will elevate the campus' already successful athletic programs and expand the opportunities available to Brandywine student-athletes.
"This is an exciting time for Brandywine athletics as we continue to build on the record of achievement that our program has developed over many years," Wells said. "Our vision places students at the center of all that we do, and we look forward to continuing to celebrate their academic achievements as well as athletic accomplishments. We are proud to share the NCAA philosophy and values of teamwork, discipline, perseverance and leadership.
"Athletics is such an important part of our campus community, involving current students, family and alumni, and we look forward to elevating our program as we transition to this next level," she added.
While Brandywine will not be eligible to compete for NCAA championships as a provisional member, the campus will have the ability to play for conference championships. Brandywine begins play as the 18th member of the United East Conference, the biggest league in Division III, on July 1.
"Brandywine is thrilled to become a NCAA Division III provisional member this fall. Our student-athletes, coaches, staff and entire campus community have put a lot of hard work into this process. We have positioned ourselves for a successful transition and look forward to being members of the United East Conference as well. The United East Conference will provide our student-athletes with the ability to play a more regionalized, competitive schedule. Additionally, the NCAA will equip our student-athletes with resources to which we otherwise would not have access," stated Director of Athletics Bobbi Caprice, a 2013 Penn State Brandywine graduate.
Division III is the NCAA's largest division with nearly 450 member institutions. Sixty-two Division III members are located in Pennsylvania, including five of the University's Commonwealth Campuses: Abington, Altoona, Behrend, Berks and Harrisburg.
The Brandywine athletic department currently supports more than 175 student-athletes competing for six men's teams (baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer and tennis) and six women's teams (basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball).
Since 1968, Penn State Brandywine athletics has claimed more than 40 conference championships and three national championships. In addition, more than 60 percent of its student-athletes receive academic awards annually.