Nebraska Wesleyan set to join Iowa Conference
Central College
CEDAR RAPIDS —The Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) will expand to nine member institutions as league officials announced Monday (July 20) Nebraska Wesleyan University has accepted an invitation to join the conference beginning with the 2016-17 academic year.
The invitation was approved by Nebraska Wesleyan’s Board of Governors and accepted by IIAC
presidents on July 13, 2015.
“The members of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference look forward to Nebraska Wesleyan University’s participation,” saidDr. Jay Simmons, Simpson College President and 2015-16 chair of the Iowa Conference Presidents’ Council. “Their mission and purpose perfectly complement those of our current members. Moreover, as the Iowa Conference undertakes a comprehensive strategic planning process, Nebraska Wesleyan’s participation will advance our work as we position the IIAC for the future.”
Nebraska Wesleyan is currently affiliated with both NCAA Division III and the NAIA – the only school in the country with dual affiliation. Currently a member of the NAIA’s Great Plains Athletic Conference, Nebraska Wesleyan will be an exclusive member of NCAA Division III effective July 1, 2016.
“Nebraska Wesleyan University is delighted to join the Iowa Conference,” said NWU President Dr. Fred Ohles. “We value the academic rigor and balance that are part of the NCAA Division III philosophy and the Nebraska Wesleyan philosophy. We look forward to the opportunity of fully integrating our entire athletic program with other NCAA Division III schools.”
Today’s announcement marks the first addition to the Iowa Conference since Coe College and Cornell College joined in 1997 and the first change in the conference’s membership since Cornell returned to the Midwest Conference after the 2011-12 academic year. Nebraska Wesleyan will be the 20th institution to compete as a member of the 93-year old IIAC.
“I am honored to welcome Nebraska Wesleyan to our conference family,” said Iowa Conference Commissioner Chuck Yrigoyen. “Our institutions are rivals in competition but united in our overall commitment to each other. We constantly strive to instill conference pride and camaraderie in every student-athlete, coach and campus community member. Yes, we eagerly anticipate the all-important conference schedule of games, but we are equally passionate about our collaborative efforts to be a premier academic and athletic experience for the young women and men we serve.”
Founded in 1922, the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference is among the best NCAA Division III athletic conferences in the country. The IIAC is comprised of eight private, faith-based liberal arts colleges and universities in Iowa: Buena Vista University, Central College, Coe College, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Luther College, Simpson College and Wartburg College. Currently, the IIAC sponsors 21 sports including wrestling, which NWU will add next year. Iowa Conference schools have accounted for 34 NCAA Division III national championships in the history of the league.
“We’re really excited about Nebraska Wesleyan joining the Iowa Confernece,” Central College Athletic Director Eric Van Kley said. “Both academically and athletically they are a really good fit for us. They match the Iowa Conference in 21 out of 21 athletic programs, I couldn’t be more excited to see them join us.”
