Dr. Todd Reynolds, director of athletics at  McKendree, received a phone call from the NCAA Division II Membership  Committee on Monday confirming the news. With its successful  application, McKendree will now enter a two-year candidacy period and  must complete at least one provisional year before entering active  membership status in NCAA Division II. McKendree was chosen from a pool  of 12 applicants for NCAA Division II membership this year.

"This  is certainly an important day in the  history of McKendree athletics and for our University as a whole," said  McKendree President Dr. James Dennis. "Our acceptance into NCAA Division  II membership culminates a long and meticulous process of evaluating  our athletic programs and determining what would be most beneficial to  the long-term success of those programs. We are delighted that the NCAA  Division II Membership Committee feels that McKendree University fits  its profile for membership and we look forward to beginning this new  chapter in the life of Bearcat athletics."

Since 1966, McKendree's national affiliation  has come through the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics  (NAIA). Over its four-plus decades as a member of the NAIA, McKendree  has claimed six NAIA national championships, all of which have come in  the sport of track and field. The women's indoor track and field program  established an NAIA record by winning four consecutive national titles  from 1999 through 2002.

"McKendree has always had a special place in  its heart for the NAIA," said Dr. Dennis. "Many of the greatest moments  in Bearcat athletics history have come as a member of the organization.  We will always be grateful to the leadership of the NAIA for its role as  a leader in small-college intercollegiate athletics."

NCAA Division II requirements state that an  institution must offer at least 10 intercollegiate sports to qualify for  membership. McKendree has expanded its athletic offerings from six  teams in 1993 to its current number of 20. In 2009-10, there were 10  Bearcat teams that qualified for national tournament competition.

"McKendree is pleased to have been accepted for  membership in NCAA Division II," said Reynolds. "We look forward to the  opportunities that this realignment can provide and are fully aware of  the challenges it represents. While the University has enjoyed a long  and very satisfactory relationship with the NAIA, it was determined that  our future interests could best be served through this change in  national affiliations. We believe as a result of this change McKendree  University in general, and our student-athletes in particular, will  benefit athletically and non-athletically."

Reynolds noted that McKendree is in the process  of searching for a new conference home in NCAA Division II. He also  said that the Bearcat athletic program would prefer a home where all of  its athletic programs can compete in one conference. Currently,  McKendree is a member of the American Midwest Conference for most of its  intercollegiate programs. The Bearcats compete in the Mid-States  Football Association for football.