Nebraska Wesleyan to join the Iowa Conference

Nebraska Wesleyan will be joining the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, expanding the conference to nine members.  The change will be effective beginning with the 2016-17 academic year.

Nebraska Wesleyan is the only school in the country with dual affiliation as a member of NCAA Division III and the NAIA. Currently associated with the NAIA's Great Plains Athletic Conference, Nebraska Wesleyan will be solely affiliated with NCAA Division III effective July 1st of 2016.

Luther College athletic director Renae Hartl said, "Nebraska Wesleyan joining the Iowa Conference is a very positive and exciting development, especially for Luther student-athletes and coaches."

Nebraska Wesleyan University President Fred Ohles said, "We value the academic rigor and balance that are part of the NCAA Division III philosophy and the Nebraska Wesleyan philosophy.  We look forward to the opportunity of fully integrating our entire athletic program with other NCAA Division III schools."

It's the first addition to the Iowa Conference since Coe College and Cornell College joined in 1997 and the first change in the conference's membership since Cornell returned to the Midwest Conference after the 2011-12 academic year.