Roberts Wesleyan Redhawks

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Roberts Wesleyan College has been recommended for active member status by the National Collegiate Athletic Association for Division II.

The NCAA released the news this morning that Roberts Wesleyan was one of eight institutions approved for active status during this week's DII Membership Committee meetings in Indianapolis, Ind. The change is effective Sep. 1, 2014.
 
By gaining active status, all of the College's 16 intercollegiate programs will be eligible to compete for both East Coast Conference and NCAA championships.  
 
Additionally, Roberts Wesleyan becomes the only Division II institution in the Rochester region.
 
"On behalf of all our coaches and student-athletes, I am very excited to see our teams have the chance to compete at this level and play for championships in the ECC and NCAA," said Athletic Director Mike Faro. "They have put in such hard work the last two years and now they can finally play for titles."
 
After participating in the East Coast Conference the last two academic years, the Redhawks have seen tremendous success with several programs finishing near the top of their sport's standings. This past year alone Women's Basketball, Men's Tennis, and Women's Tennis would have qualified for their respective ECC Championship tournament. Both the Men's and Women's Cross Country teams would have lifted the conference banner after winning the ECC Championship meet.  The Women's Track & Field team also would have won the ECC's Indoor and Outdoor titles.
 
In 2012-13, Volleyball, Men's Soccer, Women's Basketball, Women's Tennis, and Men's Tennis would have all earned a spot in their conference tournaments.
 
Over the last two years competing in the ECC, Roberts Wesleyan boasts four athletes earning ECC Rookie of the Year honors, a Preseason Player of the Year (Marissa Sell – Women's Basketball), and one three-time men's Runner of the Year (Enock Bor – Men's Cross Country, Indoor Track & Field, Outdoor Track & Field).
 
"We are excited to become full members of NCAA Division II and to offer this benefit for our students.  We believe that this move aligns with the Redhawks Athletics mission and the strategic plan for the College," said Dr. Deana L. Porterfield, Roberts Wesleyan College President.
 
Roberts Wesleyan decided to pursue NCAA Division II membership in 2011, in an effort to advance athletics to a higher level of competition, serve student-athletes with integrity and enable more scholarships.  Earning full membership to NCAA Division II is the result of a collaborative effort by many people over the last four years.
 
"This is a time of growth and hope at the College, and we are thrilled to be the only school representing Division II in the region," Porterfield continued. "We look forward to continuing to  develop athletics into a highly competitive Division II program that is successful in transforming the lives of our student-athletes, providing them with a positive Christian educational experience, and helping them graduate with a high-quality degree."

The NCAA's Division II Management Council will meet on July 21-22 to act on the Membership Committee recommendations for active membership.

Click here to view the NCAA News Release.