AU Embarks on New Conference Affiliation

AURORA, Ill. February 18, 2005 - Aurora University will soon be part of a newly formed intercollegiate athletic conference beginning with the 2006-2007 academic year, AU officials announced today.

A declaration of intent to merge most of the Division III colleges and universities from the Northern Illinois-Iowa and Lake Michigan Conferences into one large all-sport conference was signed on Feb. 14 by the presidents of the 14 participating institutions.

“This new athletic conference will provide expanded opportunities for our student-athletes and coaches, and the chance to identify with institutions that share our dedication to academic excellence and character development,” said Dr. Rebecca L. Sherrick, president of AU.

The 14 colleges and universities now will begin the process of creating the yet to be named new conference by appointing a committee to draft a constitution and related by-laws. This effort will be chaired by AU President Sherrick. Strong presidential leadership and a professional commissioner will oversee the conference, and a student athletic advisory committee will be formed.

AU Vice President of Student Life Michael Moser said, “This new athletic conference will provide many benefits to our athletes and to all member institutions. These benefits include broadening the competitive field because we will play against a larger number of colleges and universities. Our student-athletes will also be able to visit more schools which means being able to interact with and work cooperatively with more students from other institutions.” Moser said that the new conference will also ensure that all member institutions will have the opportunity to qualify for post-season play.

Institutions that signed the letter of intent to form the new conference are Alverno College, Aurora University, Benedictine University, Clarke College, Concordia University-River Forest, Concordia University-Wisconsin, Dominican University, Edgewood College, Lakeland College, Maranatha Baptist Bible College, Marian College, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Rockford College, and Wisconsin Lutheran College.

Aurora University Director of Athletics Mark Walsh said, “The merger of the Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference and the Lake Michigan Conference is a significant event in the history of intercollegiate athletics at Aurora University. We are excited about the opportunity to be part of this new initiative, and we look forward to working with the other members to create the new conference.”

Background Information

The Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference, which does not sponsor football, currently includes Aurora University, Benedictine University, Clarke College, Concordia University (Ill.), Dominican University, and Eureka College. The Lake Michigan Conference, which also does not sponsor football, currently includes Alverno College, Concordia-Wisconsin, Lakeland College, Edgewood College, Maranatha Baptist Bible College, Marian College, Milwaukee School of Engineering, and Wisconsin Lutheran College.

All institutions in the new conference offer men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, and women’s volleyball, with the exception of Alverno. Men’s and women’s cross country, golf, tennis, plus track and field conference schedules will be offered by most of the new members.

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