The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Membership Committee approved Bob Jones University's exploratory application for Division III membership. The Bruins will officially begin the Division III exploratory process September 1, 2018.
"I am grateful to the NCAA for their decision and support of our pursuit of DIII," Bruins' Director of Athletics Dr. Neal Ring said. "I'm also very proud of our coaches and staff for operating with excellence in executing our mission."
The BJU Bruins submitted the application in January. During their February 7-8 meetings in Indianapolis, Indiana, the NCAA membership committee voted to approve the application. The committee cited several notes of commendation and were impressed with the Bruins' athletic director, coaching and athletic staff in working together during the application process. BJU President Steve Pettit will attend a site visit with Dr. Ring at the NCAA national office in September 2018.
During the exploratory year, BJU will begin learning more about NCAA compliance as well as timelines affiliated with provisional membership. Once approved, BJU would enter provisional status which could last up to four years. During those provisional years of membership, the Bruins athletic teams would continue to compete with NCAA teams during the regular season but postseason play wouldn't be allowed until achieving full membership.
"The next few years will present new challenges for us," Dr. Ring said. "I'm confident that my team will rise to meet each challenge. In the end, we will be able to provide a greater athletic experience for our entire campus while broadening our platform for Christ."
In October of 2017, the BJU Board of Trustees approved a recommendation by Dr. Ring for BJU to pursue membership with NCAA DIII. This division is the non-scholarship arm of the NCAA. BJU will also maintain its affiliation with the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) as a Division II institution.
