July 13, 2007

Greeley, COLO. -The National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Management Council Membership Subcommittee this week notified the University of Northern Colorado that the school has successfully completed the transition to Division I athletics and will be eligible for all postseason competition and conference championships beginning this fall.

It is the final step in a five-year process that began in 2002 when the university's Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the move to Division I.  Reclassification included Northern Colorado's successful NCAA Division I certification, a comprehensive review of the Department of Athletics in the areas of governance and rules compliance, academic integrity, and equity and student-athlete welfare.

"We've said all along that we want to match the level of our athletics programs with the quality of our academics," said Northern Colorado President Kay Norton. "The decision by the NCAA affirms that Division I is where we belong. I'm thrilled for our student-athletes, who deserve the opportunity to be tested at the Division I level."

Northern Colorado, which sponsors 19 sports, has programs in the Big Sky Conference, the America Sky Golf Conference, the Pacific Coast Swim Conference, the Western Wrestling Conference and two teams competing independently.

"This is a historic day for the University of Northern Colorado and the department of athletics," said Director of Athletics Jay Hinrichs. "I would like to thank the President and everyone involved for all of their tireless efforts to bring this dream of Division I active membership status true. We are encouraged that the campus community and the Bear faithful will step up to support us both financially and in person at our events as we begin another chapter in our athletic history."

On Friday, May 10, 2002, the University of Northern Colorado Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the move to Division I. In September 2004, the Big Sky Conference extended an invitation for the Bears to apply for admission into the league and on Tuesday, May 17, 2005, Northern Colorado was invited to become the ninth member of the Big Sky.

Northern Colorado officially joined the Big Sky Conference on July 1, 2006, and began athletic competition in August of 2006. The Big Sky comprises Northern Colorado, Eastern Washington University, Idaho State University, the University of Montana, Montana State University, Northern Arizona University, Portland State University, Sacramento State University and Weber State University.  The Bears compete in the Big Sky in men's & women's basketball, men's & women's cross country, football, women's golf, men's & women's tennis, men's & women's indoor & outdoor track & field, women's soccer and women's volleyball.

On June 1, the department of athletics submitted a strategic plan that addressed the Division I philosophy and operating principles, as well as an annual report that spoke to the progress made in fulfilling membership requirements.

Northern Colorado is located in Greeley, and was founded in 1889 as the State Normal School. Northern Colorado competed in the Division II North Central Conference from 1978-2003, then competed in the Division I-AA Great West Football Conference in 2004-05 and as an independent in other Big Sky core sports.