The Daily OrangeSUNY-ESF gains NAIA approval
By Melissa Tinklepaugh
Posted: 10/13/09, 3:05 AM EST Section: News
After getting accepted to a national athletics conference, the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry expects changes to its sports programs.
The new membership in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics could mean two key things: easier recruiting and more structure. ESF is also about to submit a five-year athletic plan to the SUNY system.
The NAIA is composed of about 300 member institutions across the country. The association allows schools to choose their own number of sports, said John Leavens, NAIA's senior vice president for membership services.
ESF chose to apply to the NAIA, over the NCAA, for two reasons. First, the NCAA is currently not accepting new Division III members. Second, membership requires colleges to have a minimum of 12 teams.
"We were not going to be able to jump from five teams to 12 teams in order to get NCAA membership," said Robert French, ESF vice president for management and marketing.
ESF decided to become a member of the NAIA to attract students to the university who want to continue playing sports, French said. ESF received its acceptance on Sept. 27.
ESF has a budget of $65,000 this year for its sports program; this includes funding for travel, uniforms, coaches' salaries, NAIA dues and health insurance, French said.
ESF's sports budget is larger than past years in preparation for NAIA membership, French said. The NAIA membership fee is about $5,000 per year.
ESF submitted its NAIA application June 29, and a visitation team from NAIA came to campus Aug. 14. In the process, ESF showed off their facilities and introduced the NAIA to coaches.
Nicole Bader, a forward on the women's soccer team, said she expects the NAIA membership to help the team.
"I'm excited for it. I think it will help get a lot of good players here," Bader said. "I think it's an excellent program to have."
NAIA membership allows schools to compete in conferences and for rankings. ESF is not part of a conference this year and will participate in the NAIA as an independent team. Scores from games and competitions this year would make athletes eligible for post-season competition next year, said John View, ESF's assistant cross country coach.
The new membership in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics could mean two key things: easier recruiting and more structure. ESF is also about to submit a five-year athletic plan to the SUNY system.
The NAIA is composed of about 300 member institutions across the country. The association allows schools to choose their own number of sports, said John Leavens, NAIA's senior vice president for membership services.
ESF chose to apply to the NAIA, over the NCAA, for two reasons. First, the NCAA is currently not accepting new Division III members. Second, membership requires colleges to have a minimum of 12 teams.
"We were not going to be able to jump from five teams to 12 teams in order to get NCAA membership," said Robert French, ESF vice president for management and marketing.
ESF decided to become a member of the NAIA to attract students to the university who want to continue playing sports, French said. ESF received its acceptance on Sept. 27.
ESF has a budget of $65,000 this year for its sports program; this includes funding for travel, uniforms, coaches' salaries, NAIA dues and health insurance, French said.
ESF's sports budget is larger than past years in preparation for NAIA membership, French said. The NAIA membership fee is about $5,000 per year.
ESF submitted its NAIA application June 29, and a visitation team from NAIA came to campus Aug. 14. In the process, ESF showed off their facilities and introduced the NAIA to coaches.
Nicole Bader, a forward on the women's soccer team, said she expects the NAIA membership to help the team.
"I'm excited for it. I think it will help get a lot of good players here," Bader said. "I think it's an excellent program to have."
NAIA membership allows schools to compete in conferences and for rankings. ESF is not part of a conference this year and will participate in the NAIA as an independent team. Scores from games and competitions this year would make athletes eligible for post-season competition next year, said John View, ESF's assistant cross country coach.
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