JACKSON, Miss.- The Belhaven University Board of Trustees has voted unanimously to approve application for NCAA Division III membership as Belhaven's future national athletics affiliation. The vote was taken during the semi-annual Board of Trustees meeting on February 28, 2014. The NCAA Division III Membership Committee had already granted an invitation to Belhaven to participate in the Division III Exploratory Process, and this most recent Board decision allows Belhaven to complete the NCAA Division III membership process.
"I'm thrilled that after extensive study and evaluation, our Board has determined that Belhaven's goals for providing a quality experience for our student-athletes will best be matched in the future by the priorities of NCAA Division III," said Calvin Wells, Chairman, Belhaven University Board of Trustees. "Our new athletics affiliation correctly blends a commitment to quality academics into our students' experience, while providing tough competition against some of the best known colleges and universities in America."
In addition, Belhaven has made inquiry for membership in the American Southwest Conference (ASC) to begin with the 2015-16 academic year, with the 2014-15 academic year as Belhaven's final year of NAIA membership and competition.
Scott Little, Vice President for Athletics, added, "There is a dynamic spirit within Belhaven Athletics, and we now sponsor 15 sports involving over 375 student-athletes. This is such a natural fit with all we want to achieve both competitively and academically. We are thankful for decades of NAIA membership, and we look forward to our future in NCAA Division III."
Belhaven University stands among select Christian colleges and universities and has been repeatedly named one of "America's 100 Best College Buys." The University offers 30 academic majors across a full spectrum of disciplines as well as a variety of graduate programs. In addition, Belhaven has achieved the distinction of being among only 30 universities nationally accredited in each of the major arts – music, theatre, visual art and dance. All programs are taught from a Christian worldview perspective and are guided by the mission to prepare students academically and spiritually to serve Christ Jesus in their careers, in human relationships, and in the world of ideas.
Belhaven University serves over 3,700 students offering undergraduate and graduate degrees on its residential campus, an online degree program, and graduate and adult degree programs in Jackson, Memphis, Orlando, Houston, Chattanooga, and Atlanta.
