SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- Notre Dame College is pleased to announce plans to file for membership with the National Collegiate Athletic Association, Division II.

If accepted, Notre Dame will be among just a handful of Ohio colleges designated as NCAA DII, joining a highly-competitive circuit of institutions while offering scholarship opportunities in a wide array of sports.

Notre Dame President Dr. Andrew P. Roth indicated that the move would be leveraged as part of the long-term success of the College: “Our anticipated move to the NCAA is an integral component in the College's strategic plan to build enrollment and offer quality programs for our student-athletes.”

The College plans to complete the application process prior to June 1. NDC's application will be reviewed by the NCAA Membership Committee, which will announce institutions under consideration this summer.

Notre Dame is currently a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). “The NAIA has been a valued partner and we have been proud to be affiliated with them,” said Susan Hlavacek, NDC Director of Athletics. “However, our athletic programs have made tremendous strides in recent years and we feel it's time to pursue an opportunity that will ensure that we remain competitive and successful.”

Since 2004, Notre Dame has launched 10 new sports team, including football, which was announced Nov. 25. Overall, NDC currently has 21 athletic teams.

Similar to the NAIA, Division II awards athletics scholarships. “We want to continue to offer our student-athletes scholarship opportunities. We've had a great deal of success attracting quality student-athletes, and continuing our tradition of success fits with the goals of the College as a whole.”

“We believe the NCAA affords a higher level of name recognition and visibility,” said Roth. “That's attractive to us as we move forward as a college and in telling what we believe is a Cleveland success story.”

In the past five years, NDC athletic programs have excelled on and off the field. Most recently, Adam Koballa (Twinsburg, Ohio) won the NAIA Wrestling National Championship in 141 pounds. Overall, NDC has garnered 21 NAIA All-America awards and produced 79 Scholar Athletes.

“We believe adding football and the transition to Division II are two initiatives that will act in concert to help promote the full college experience at Notre Dame. Both will foster closer relationships with our alumni and the Greater Cleveland Community.”

For more information, contact Sports Information Director Skip Snow at 216-373-5319 or ssnow@ndc.edu.