The Championship Subdivision News Log

GALVESTON, Texas - The Southland Conference’s Board of Directors has redefined the league’s sports sponsorship standards for its member institutions, requiring all institutional varsity sports programs to participate fully within the conference’s competitive structure if the league also sponsors the sport.

The decision, with an effective date of July 1, 2011, was announced by the Southland’s governing presidential body at the conclusion of the conference’s annual spring business meeting Friday. If an institution chooses not to meet this requirement, then it shall relinquish its membership and notify the Conference per the withdrawal provisions listed in Article 3.04 of the league’s constitution, which requires a two-year notification of withdrawal or $250,000 penalty.

“The Board’s decision clearly defines Southland Conference membership as a full commitment by each institution,” Board chairman and Nicholls State University President Dr. Stephen Hulbert said. “The Conference provides numerous benefits to its full members, including automatic qualification to NCAA Championships in many sports. The Board believes these benefits and services can only be provided to those members participating with their entire athletic program.”

The Southland sponsors 17 NCAA Division I sports, including eight for men (football, basketball, baseball, outdoor track, indoor track, golf, tennis and cross country) and nine for women (basketball, volleyball, softball, soccer, outdoor track, indoor track, golf, tennis, and cross country).

The decision does not apply to those sports offered by some institutions but not by the conference, such as women’s bowling or men’s soccer, nor does the decision require institutions to add sports they don’t currently sponsor.

Todd Lamb
SLC Media Relations
http://www.southland.org/ViewArticle.dbml?temp_site=NO&ampB_OEM_ID=18400&ATCLID=204955246