INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (September 1, 2021) - Today marks a historic day for SUNY Delhi as the college begins its first day as full-time members of NCAA Division III, as approved by the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Membership Council earlier this summer. This decision is the culmination of a five-year transition process set forth by the college to align its competitive athletics programs with the highest level of emphasis on academically successful student-athletes. The Broncos are officially eligible for NCAA championship and postseason opportunities.
The seeds for SUNY Delhi's NCAA membership were planted in 2015, when the college made the jump from the NJCAA to dual membership with the USCAA and NAIA to coincide with the expansion of four-year academic programs. Movement towards NCAA Division III began the following year under the leadership of SUNY Delhi President Dr. Michael R. Laliberte and Director of Athletics Bob Backus. The institution was awarded exploratory membership for the 2017-18 season, which was followed by an invitation the following year to start the three-year provisional membership process. During this time the Broncos settled in to their new conference home in the North Atlantic Conference (NAC), clinching multiple postseason appearances across all programs and capturing six team titles between cross country, golf, and track & field.
In addition, the track & field teams showcased their regional prowess as members of the All-Atlantic Region Track & Field Conference (AARTFC), posting at least one podium finish at every indoor and outdoor championship and totaling four individual championships. The men's basketball team captured back-to-back ACAA titles in 2019 and 2020.
"This is truly a great, historical day for Broncos," related Backus. "We are eager and excited to embrace our NCAA Division III status which includes the opportunity to compete in NCAA post-season events. During the past four years, our athletics programs have won NCAA Conference titles in men's golf, men's and women's cross country and outdoor track & field, and men's basketball. Having the opportunity to represent SUNY Delhi in NCAA post-season championship tournaments will be our next milestone. Go Broncos!"
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) was created in tandem with the NCAA move, ushering in many more initiatives from the student-athlete perspective. This includes functions to benefit the American Red Cross, It's On Us, and One Love, and receiving a seat on the Student Senate. The program has been highly visible in the NAC SAAC, receiving even more good news when it was announced last year that soccer and softball's Rachael Scoones was selected to serve on the NCAA Division III National SAAC, effective today to coincide with the college's full-time membership.
"With SUNY Delhi becoming fully Division III, I think that it will allow for many opportunities for student-athletes to participate in," said Scoones. "It allows us to build more connections throughout the country. It will allow for athletes to complete on a higher level and show more people the talent that SUNY Delhi has to offer. For me personally, being Division III allows me to participate on the NCAA DIII SAAC, which will allow me to use my voice and make sure that student-athletes are being heard. Here at SUNY Delhi, the coaches, administration, and the athletes past and present have worked so hard for this. It is something that we all should be proud of."
SUNY Delhi offers nine women's and eight men's NCAA Division III intercollegiate programs as members of the North Atlantic Conference. These include basketball, cross country, golf, men's lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, indoor and outdoor track & field, and women's volleyball.
Full NCAA Division III membership makes SUNY Delhi eligible to participate in NCAA championships. It also allows the college to vote at the NCAA Convention and offers coverage under the NCAA catastrophic athletics injury insurance plan.
Division III is the largest NCAA division, making up more than 180,000 students at 450 institutions. The Division III experience offers participation in a competitive athletic environment that pushes student-athletes to excel on the field and build upon their potential by tackling new challenges across campus.
