WEB EXTRA: Lincoln to rejoin MIAA

The application for membership to the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association from Lincoln University of Missouri has been approved by the conference’s governing bodies, effective for the 2010-11 academic year.

The MIAA’s 33-member Institutional Representatives Council overwhelming recommended to the Conference’s Chief Executive Officers Council that LU’s application be approved. That balloting occurred during the week of Jan. 19. The CEO Council, in balloting that concluded Friday (Jan. 30), unanimously voted to accept the IR Council recommendation and approve the application from Lincoln.

Lincoln is a historically black, 1890 land-grant, public, comprehensive institution that provides excellent educational opportunities including theoretical and applied learning experiences to a diverse population within a nurturing, student-centered environment.

Located in Jefferson City, LU fields teams in 11 sports — men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s track and field, baseball, softball, football, women’s tennis and women’s cross country.

“We are pleased to welcome Lincoln University back to the MIAA,” said Dr. Jerry Farley, president of Washburn University and chair of the MIAA’s CEO Council. “The MIAA is arguably the strongest Division II conference in the nation. Lincoln will only add to our reputation.

“Lincoln has a commitment to the principles and values of the other conference institutions and will enable institutions to resume historic rivalries. We are delighted that Lincoln University will be a part of the MIAA.”

The Blue Tigers have grown to become a power in women’s track & field. Lincoln won five straight NCAA Division II championships outdoors from 2003-07, and indoor titles in 2004 and 2006.

LU had been a member of the MIAA from 1970-99, forfeiting membership when it appeared the school would not be prepared to field a varsity football program by the 2000-01 academic year. It had dropped the sport after the 1989 season, and remained a conference member until the MIAA passed legislation in 1997 requiring all members to participate in the sport of football by 2000-01.

The new administration at Lincoln, led by university president Dr. Carolyn R. Mahoney and director of athletics Paula Jackson, desired to return to the MIAA and rejoin other Missouri public institutions that are NCAA Division II members. Those include the University of Central Missouri, Missouri Southern State University, Missouri Western State University, Northwest Missouri State University and Truman State University.

Valentine box ideas

“We are excited that the CEO Council has approved Lincoln’s return the MIAA,” MIAA commissioner Jim Johnson said. “We look forward to working with President Mahoney and her staff and we know that they will be a very postive addition to the conference.”

The school also wanted to compete in a league which is a better geographic fit. The Blue Tigers currently are members of the Heartland Conference, which includes institutions primarily in the state of Texas. LU’s nearest rival in the Heartland is Newman University in Wichita, Kan.

LU also is presently a member of the Great Lakes Football Conference.

During their first stint in the MIAA, the LU Blue Tigers won conference championships in football (1972), men’s basketball (1972, ‘75, ‘77, ‘81) and women’s tennis (1983-86, ‘89-90).

Related posts: Molly shannon, Barack obama elementary school, L equipe, Inauguration watch party, Simpsons tv