Penn State Harrisburg has been formally accepted as an active NCAA Division III member, effective Sept. 1. On July 20, the NCAA Division III Management Council accepted its Membership Committee’s recommendation that Penn State Harrisburg be granted active membership status.
This means the college’s 12 athletic programs including baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, golf, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s tennis, and women’s volleyball will be eligible to qualify for NCAA championship events beginning with the 2010-11 season. Also, the college’s team and student-athlete statistics will now be recorded in the official NCAA D-III record books. Individuals will be eligible for recognition on several national athletic and academic All-American teams and for post-season awards. The college also will have the opportunity to vote on NCAA legislation at the association’s annual convention.
Penn State Harrisburg joins the campuses of Penn State Erie, The Behrend College; Penn State Altoona; Penn State Berks and Penn State Abington (second year provisional member); as an NCAA Division III member.
The move by Penn State Harrisburg to NCAA Division III offers significant benefits to the college community. “We have established and maintained an environment where our student-athletes’ activities are conducted as an integral part of the total educational experience, and where coaches play a significant role as educators outside the classroom,” said Interim Chancellor Mukund Kulkarni. “I take great pride in our student- athletes’ outstanding academic and athletic achievements, and am pleased the college has become a member of the NCAA Division III.”
“Being a part of the NCAA is a huge honor for our campus,” said Rahsaan Carlton, director of athletics. “Students, faculty and staff have been a vital part of the NCAA membership process and will continue to play a large role in helping to shape the future of Penn State Harrisburg athletics.”
In January 2010, the NCAA launched its D-III Identity Initiative to more effectively communicate the essence of the D-III philosophy. As a result of these efforts the following position statement was developed:
“Follow your passions and discover your potential. The college experience is a time of learning and growth – a chance to follow passions and develop potential. For student-athletes in Division III, all of this happens most importantly in the classroom and through earning an academic degree. The Division III experience provides for passionate participation in a competitive athletic environment, where student-athletes push themselves to excellence and build upon their academic success with new challenges and life skills. And student-athletes are encouraged to pursue the full passions and find their potential through a comprehensive educational experience.”