Una Informed That Ovc Is Not Pursuing Expansion Plans

Nov. 16, 2011

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@una.edu, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

FLORENCE, Ala. - The University of North Alabama was informed this afternoon that the Ohio Valley Conference is not pursuing plans for expansion at this time. UNA and one other institution were being considered by the OVC as part of an expansion plan. Following this news, UNA will examine and evaluate other options concerning a move to the NCAA Division I. UNA currently competes in the Gulf South Conference of the NCAA Division II. "This is very disappointing news for me personally, for UNA, and for all those who have worked so diligently in support of the transition. However, we do look forward to continuing our progress and working with our board of trustees to plan our next steps," said Dr. William G. Cale, UNA president. The UNA board of trustees voted June 13 to approve a resolution stating the university's intent to move to NCAA Division I status upon completion of a series of benchmark goals.

About The University of North Alabama

The University of North Alabama is an accredited, comprehensive regional state university offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs through the colleges of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering; the Sanders College of Business and Technology; Education and Human Sciences; and the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions. Occupying a 130-acre campus in a residential section of Florence, Alabama, UNA is located within a four-city area that also includes Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. UNA Athletics, a renowned collegiate athletics program with seven (7) Division II National Championships, is now a proud member of NCAA Division I as part of the Atlantic Sun and United Athletic conferences. The University of North Alabama is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate in the admission policy on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, age, or national origin. For more: una.edu and una.edu/unaworks/.