Indiana Tech’s track and field team competes in Division II of the NCAA.
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Indiana Tech’s Division
Indiana Tech is a NCAA Division II school, which means that they are able to offer scholarships to their athletes. This is a big deal because it can help with the cost of attending college. It also means that their athletes are competing against other schools that are similar in size and scope.
NCAA Division II
Indiana Tech’s track and field team competes in NCAA Division II. The Warriors are a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC).
NAIA Division I
Indiana Tech is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), competing in the NAIA Division I level. The university is a member of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC). Men’s sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, fencing, golf, lacrosse, soccer, tennis and track & field. Women’s sports include basketball, cross country, fencing, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis and track & field.
Tech’s Conference
The Indiana Tech Track and Field teams are a part of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC). The WHAC is a NCAA Division II conference.
The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC)
The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) is an American Collegiate Athletic Association (NAIA) Division II conference. The conference is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The WHAC was founded in 1991 as the Mid-Central College Conference (MCCC). In 1998, the conference changed its name to the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference to better reflect its membership. The WHAC currently consists of 15 charter members, all of which are located in Michigan and Indiana.
Art Institute of Fort Wayne (IN)
Calumet College of St. Joseph (IN)
Concordia University Ann Arbor (MI)
Cornerstone University (MI)
Davenport University (MI)
Indiana Institute of Technology (IN)
Lourdes University (OH)
Madonna University (MI)
Marygrove College (MI)
Aquinas College (MI)
Siena Heights University (MI)
University of Michigan-Dearborn (MI)
Warner University (FL)
Reasons for the Change
On July 1st, 2020, the Indiana Tech track and field team will compete in their first NCAA Division I outdoor track and field championships. The school made the announcement in early May, stating that the move would better align the school with its mission and goals. This section will explore the reasons for the change in division.
Improve the level of competition
The decision was made in order to improve the level of competition for the team. In order to be more competitive, the team needed to find a division that was better suited for their level of play. This also allowed the team to focus on areas that needed improvement in order to be more successful in the future.
Save money on travel
The expenses of traveling to competitions can take a toll on any college budget, and this was a deciding factor in the change. “We looked at what it costs to travel to Division III schools in our region and saw that it was much less expensive to travel to Division II schools,” said Blake. “This will allow us to save money while still competing against schools of similar size.”
Increase opportunities for student-athletes
As part of a realignment of the NCAA’s Division III, the school will compete in the Midwest Region of the new Division III Central. The move will take effect in the 2019-20 academic year.
The reassignment to Division III is intended to create more opportunities for student-athletes to participate in postseason competition and is based on recommendations made by the Division III Strategic Planning Committee and adopted by the NCAA membership.
The committee’s work was guided by several principles, including maintaining divisional distinctions while seeking balanced competition, promoting participation and limiting traveling costs.
How the Change Will Affect Student-Athletes
The NCAA Division II membership process can be a confusing and time-consuming endeavor. In order to become a Division II school, an institution must first petition and be accepted by the NCAA. Then, the school must go through a four-year provisional period where they must meet certain requirements. After the four years, the school can then apply for full membership.
Increased level of competition
The move to Division I will have a big impact on our student-athletes. The level of competition will increase significantly, and they will face some of the best athletes in the country. There will be a lot of travel involved, and they will need to be prepared mentally and physically for the challenges ahead.
More opportunities to compete
The new NCAA Division III membership will not only provide our student-athletes with more opportunities to compete, but also increase the level of competition they will face. With nearly 170 schools already committed to the division, we are confident that this move will only enhance the student-athlete experience at Indiana Tech.
More exposure to scouts and recruiters
The biggest change that switching to Division I will bring is more exposure to scouts and recruiters. This is a huge advantage for student-athletes who want to continue their career in track and field after college. It will also help those who want to compete at the highest level in their sport.
With more exposure, comes more pressure. But, with increased pressure comes increased opportunities. For example, student-athletes who are good enough to compete at the Division I level will have the chance to represent their school on a national stage. This can lead to increased publicity for the school, which can attract more students and increase donations.
It is important to remember that only a small number of student-athletes will go on to compete at the professional level. But, for those who do have the talent and the drive, Division I schools provide the best opportunity to showcase their skills in front of the people who can help them achieve their goals.
