Dear MGA Faculty, Staff, and Students,
On Tuesday, February 14, the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia approved Middle Georgia State University to enter into a new agreement regarding its athletic conference affiliation. As a member in good standing of the NAIA and Southern States Conference, we believe the time is right for our university to take the necessary steps toward potential membership in NCAA Division II, with discussions on future membership of the Peach Belt Conference of the NCAA. That new athletic affiliation will more closely align with MGA as a state university of the USG and its strategic direction.
Over the past two years, the university has been evaluating the feasibility of such a move. The process moving forward will be deliberate and is expected to take several years until full membership. The university will continue to assess our readiness, and the campus community will be apprised of progress along the way.
In addition to conference change, the BOR approved a request to add a new sport, Women’s Track (distance events only), to meet proportionality level for women for Title IX compliance.
As the university continues to fully transition into a state university, our athletics program should evolve as well. I am grateful to Regent Cade Joiner (Athletics Committee Chair), Chairman Harold Reynolds, Chancellor Sonny Perdue, and in particular Vice Chancellor Dana Nichols, Director Sabrina Thompson and the University System Office team for allowing us to present and proceed with our request.
I look with excitement towards our future and hope you join me in supporting and cheering for our student athletes.
Our students are being informed of this welcome news in a separate email.
Go Knights!
Chris
