The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) announced the approval of Bob Jones University as a provisional member in Division III. The NCAA Division III Membership Committee approved
BJU's application and the Bruins athletics department will enter the first year of provisional status beginning September 1, 2020.
"This is a great day for Bob Jones University," Bruins Director of Athletics Dr. Neal Ring said. "I'd like to thank President Pettit and all of our staff for their hard work on this journey. We're very thankful to the NCAA for the opportunity to join Division III and we're excited for the next steps in the membership process."
With provisional status, the Bruins begin a three-year evaluation and review period. During this time, BJU will not be eligible to compete in any
DIII postseason tournaments. The University will continue to maintain its affiliation with the National Christian College Athletic Association (
NCCAA). The Bruins will pursue joining a Division III conference during this time.
In 2018, Dr. Neal Ring formed a committee comprised of members of the athletics department as well as BJU faculty and staff to explore dual affiliation with the
NCCAA and NCAA or NAIA. After completing a thorough review, which included interviewing campus leaders at over fifty institutions across the country, the committee unanimously recommended BJU pursue NCAA
DIII affiliation. The recommendation was then accepted by BJU President Steve Pettit before being unanimously approved by the Board of Trustees.
"I'm thankful for the opportunity to participate in the NCAA," BJU President Steve Pettit said. "I appreciate the hard work of our athletic staff and student-athletes and look forward to seeing them compete in the NCAA to further the mission of Bob Jones University."
During the exploratory process, the Bruins added the baseball program to help fulfill the NCAA
DIII team sport requirement. The baseball team will play their inaugural season of competition in the spring of 2021. BJU had planned to add women's lacrosse as another sport in the spring, but after additional clarification by the NCAA, the requirement for an additional sport was no longer needed since the Bruins already field three women's team sports (soccer, basketball, volleyball). Therefore, BJU suspended the pursuit of women's lacrosse.
Last fall, individuals from the NCAA
DIII Membership Committee visited BJU on a visit with coaches, staff and student-athletes as well as various departments on campus. In January, the athletic department submitted their official application for membership.
BJU will enter provisional status as an NCAA
DIII program this fall. The Bruins feature 12 varsity programs and over 175 student-athletes.
