Biola Release
NCAA Release
 
IRVINE, Calif. – Biola University has been accepted into the NCAA Division II membership process and has accepted an invitation to join the PacWest Conference. The NCAA announced the decision following a meeting of the Membership Committee last week and the Management Council approved the pronouncement on Tuesday.
 
Biola will begin competition in the PacWest in the 2017-18 season, keeping the conference’s membership steady at 14 institutions, and will be eligible for conference championships and postseason awards during its final two provisional years. However, the program will not be eligible for NCAA postseason competition or PacWest automatic qualifying bids. Successful completion of the three-year NCAA membership process would make Biola an active NCAA member for the 2019-20 season.
 
“We are thrilled to welcome Biola University into NCAA Division II and the PacWest Conference,” said PacWest Commissioner Bob Hogue. “The Eagles will be an excellent addition with their strong athletic and academic tradition, and we are honored that they chose the PacWest as their partner in Division II.”
 
An NAIA member since 1964, Biola competes in the Golden State Athletic Conference; the former conference of PacWest members Azusa Pacific, California Baptist, Concordia, Fresno Pacific and Point Loma. The Eagles will compete in all 15 sports that the PacWest sponsors.