The University of Indianapolis Athletics has been in the process of trying to determine its future. At the moment, UIndy athletics is part of the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) for Division II. Recently, the UIndy Board of Trustees met to discuss the fate of the athletic programs. However, in an email from The Office of the President on Sept. 30 the Board of Trustees announced that there has been no decision on where athletic teams will be competing next season. The email from Interim President Phil Terry announced that sometime in the next few weeks the board will provide the public with more information.
“It [the decision of athletics] did request the timely development of a collaborative plan for Academics, Enrollment Management, Finance, Diversity and Inclusion, Athletics and Advancement to assure coordinated and effective attention regarding opportunities and needs that may arise as we go forward with the search for our next president,” Terry said via email. “In the weeks to come, we will communicate with you about that plan’s progress.”
The email revealed that athletics will play a large role for the future of the university. Additionally, Terry said that the world of athletics is always changing and is calling for community input.
“Evaluation on this topic will continue as both the environment at UIndy and the landscape of the The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) changes over time,” Terry said. “Importantly, this process will continue to include opportunities for your input and involvement, should you wish to participate.”
One of the options UIndy has is to advance to the Division I level, similar to teams such as Lindenwood University and the University of Southern Indiana, according to a previous article in The Reflector. However, the impact of a change could result in harder requirements to meet in academics for student-athletes, according to the NCAA.
The NCAA website said that Division I student-athletes have to meet a 2.3 grade point average (GPA), in comparison to the Division II requirement, which is a 2.2 GPA. Additionally, there are more differences when it comes to the amount of years in core classes, such as English and math.
These differences could impact the decision, but Terry said in his email that he is excited for what is to come.
“I look forward to working with you to build the best experience— now and in the future— for the University of Indianapolis,” Terry said.
