KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association is excited to welcome Newman University and Rogers State University as full members of the Association.
With the approval of the MIAA CEO Council, Newman and Rogers State will become the Association’s 13th and 14th full-time members beginning July 1, 2022.
Both the Jets and Hillcats joined the MIAA as associate members in 2019. They become the MIAA’s 21st and 22nd NCAA Division II institutions to join the Association. The MIAA joined the NCAA’s College Division in 1957.
This week’s membership action occurred in accordance with MIAA Constitution Article III (Membership and Fees), which requires an affirmative vote of a supermajority of MIAA CEO’s (two-thirds vote of the MIAA CEO Council) for an institution to become a member of the Association.
“The MIAA CEO Council’s action this week culminated two years of study and discussion about membership and the strategic direction of the MIAA as the preeminent regional conference in NCAA Division II,” said MIAA Commissioner Mike Racy. “Newman’s and Rogers State’s geographic fit for current MIAA members, and their broad sports offerings, and our shared philosophy and values of NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics make both institutions great additions to the MIAA family. We are excited to welcome NU and RSU as new members, and to identify Wichita and Tulsa as new communities with MIAA institutions.”
The MIAA is one of the nation’s oldest conferences and one of the most successful in NCAA Division II with 51 national titles and over 400 individual national champions. With full membership in the league, Newman and Rogers State will receive the Association’s full privileges and benefits. The Jets and Hillcats will now be included in the MIAA’s Commissioner’s Cup standings and SAAC Cup initiative. Their student-athletes will now be able to be nominated for the MIAA’s Ken B. Jones Award and be inducted into the MIAA Hall of Fame.
Newman was founded in 1933 and is located in Wichita, Kansas with an enrollment of approximately 1,200 students. The Jets have competed as an associate member in MIAA wrestling since 2013. They have 14 NCAA sports that will now compete as MIAA full-time members. To visit Newman’s Athletic website, click here.
“Membership into the MIAA has been something that Newman University Athletics has had an interest in for a decade. We are extremely honored and excited to be accepted into full membership of the MIAA. Our coaches and student-athletes have worked very hard for this over the last three years. We are up for the challenge and ready to represent Newman University and the MIAA both on and off the field. I would like to thank the MIAA CEO's, AD's, SWA's, FAR's, and the conference office for their work in the membership process and allowing Newman University to showcase why we are a great university. Last but not least, I would like to thank President Jagger for her support of Newman Athletics and her vision for the future.”
– Joanna Pryor, Newman University Director of Athletics
“Newman is proud and excited to become a full member of the Division II MIAA conference, one in which striving for excellence both on and off the field, court, or other performance location is expected. Although we are the only private school in the conference, we welcome the competition from other larger conference schools, and are confident we can live up to the MIAA conference standards. This opportunity is consistent with one of the primary focuses of our new strategic plan, providing an exceptional student experience to foster student success. Since nearly 40% of our undergraduate students are intercollegiate athletes, the athletic experience constitutes a major emphasis for many of our students in the degree of difference they experience. We are proud of our Newman players, coaches, and athletic administration led by our exceptional AD, Joanna Pryor, for reaching this membership goal. Through our associate membership period we have seen healthy rivalries emerge from conference play. We expect these to grow and flourish.”
“Newman is grateful for the support of the MIAA administration, Mike Racy and his staff, and for the thoughtful consideration given us by leadership of other conference schools. Let the competition begin! Go Jets!”
– Kathleen Jagger, Newman University President
Rogers State was founded in 1909 and is located in Claremore, Oklahoma with an enrollment of approximately 4,300 students. The Hillcats offer 14 NCAA Championship sports that will compete as MIAA full-time members. The Hillcats added athletics in 2005 and was approved for NCAA Division II membership in 2011 after competing in the NAIA. To visit the Rogers State Athletic website, click here.
“We are excited to continue our relationship with the top conference in NCAA Division II after being extended an offer for full membership today. As I said in 2018 when it was announced we would be joining the league, the MIAA's reputation for championship-caliber athletic programs, emphasis on academic excellence and a commitment to community service perfectly mirror the traits we strive to uphold in our vision for Hillcat Athletics. Thank you to our fellow members for displaying their confidence in us to add value to the league and help continue to build on this next chapter of excellence in its storied history."
– Chris Ratcliff, Rogers State Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics
“Today is a historic day for Rogers State University as we accept full membership into the MIAA. The MIAA is the preeminent athletic conference in NCAA Division II and full membership for RSU not only enhances the standing of our athletic teams, but the reputation of the University as well. I am proud of the work of our athletic staff and coaches, along with the efforts of our student-athletes, in achieving full membership. We are grateful to the other league members who demonstrated confidence in our ability to add new chapters to its history of excellence.”
– Larry Rice, Rogers State University President
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