(CRESTVIEW HILLS, KY)– Thomas More University moves into its third year of provisional membership with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC). The announcement today (July 11) puts the Saints one step further in the reclassification process as full members of NCAA Division II.
In the 2023-24 school year, the Saints began competition in the G-MAC with provisional Division II membership and were eligible to compete for conference championships and tournaments. During this transition year, the Saints continued to strive for athletic excellence. Individual Saints efforts saw 25 athletes named All-Conference, 38 student-athletes named to College Sports Communicators Academic All-District, and 180 named G-MAC Academic All-Conference. Bowling had Maycie Merritt named co-bowler of the year and Alison McDonald earned the G-MAC Elite 26 Award. Wrestling had an outstanding showing with Daulton Mayer capturing the G-MAC Championship in the 185lb weight class, 10 wrestlers qualifying for the NCWA Championship, Cole Thomas and Ryan Moore bringing home the titles, and six earning All-American status. Women's and men's soccer, women's and men's basketball, and women's lacrosse earned spots in the G-MAC tournament with men's basketball earning tournament runner-up. Five Saints were named G-MAC Freshmen of the Year.
Following the mandatory three-year transition period, the Saints become eligible to compete for NCAA DII championships during the 2025-26 school year.
"We are thrilled to be moving forward into our third year of provisional membership, bringing us closer to our goal of becoming a full-fledged NCAA Division II institution," says Terry Connor, vice president and director of athletics. "We look forward to continuing our progress and building on this momentum in the coming year. This is a step forward as we work diligently to enhance opportunities for our student-athletes."
Prior to the 2023-24 academic year, the Saints competed in the NAIA as a member of the Mid-South Conference (MSC) for four years. For more about the Saints' major accomplishments and record in the NAIA, visit this page. Before entering the NAIA in fall 2019, the Saints were highly competitive as an independent and as a member of the Presidents' Athletic Conference in NCAA Division III. During their decades in Division III, the Saints earned championships both at the conference and national level. For a complete list of accomplishments for athletics, visit this page.
"This transition to the NCAA underscores our commitment to student success and a standard for excellence in all aspects of university life," says Thomas More University President Joseph L. Chillo, LP.D. "It parallels the investments we are making in our athletics programs, including renovations and enhancements of our facilities, creating more opportunities for students to excel in the classroom and on the field. We are excited about the future and the continued positive impact this transition will have on our students, alumni, and the broader Thomas More community."
In fall of 2021, Thomas More University introduced the Second Century Campaign, a major comprehensive fundraising campaign which supports the goals of its five-year Strategic Plan – Lighting the Way. These goals include enhancing athletic facilities for many of the Saints intercollegiate sports teams. March 29, 2024, marked the first home game at the Saints' newly renovated softball complex. January 2023 saw the announcement of acquisition of the Northern Kentucky Racquet Club (better known as Five Seasons Family Sports Club). Five Seasons provides additional training and workout facilities, and is the permanent home for the men's and women's tennis teams. It also provides employment/co-op opportunities for all Thomas More students. In March of 2022, Thomas More University and the Florence Y'alls announced a partnership that resulted in the renaming of the home of the Florence Y'alls to Thomas More Stadium. As part of the agreement, the stadium also became the home of the Thomas More Saints baseball team. Renovations at Republic Bank Field and the surrounding track, home to the football, soccer, rugby, lacrosse, cross country, and track & field teams, were completed in 2021.
