CSUMB Athletic Department Elevated to NCAA Division II
Chris Brunetti, Staff Reporter

 

CSU Monterey Bay coaches are now holding their heads much higher with the announcement of their elevation to division II status for the 13 men’s and women’s athletic programs. 
CSUMB athletics will officially become accepted as an active member of the NCAA Division II effective September 1. This will allow teams to contend for conference and national titles, which was not possible during the past 13 years of CSUMB’s existence.
“Being accepted into the NCAA’s Division II is more than just an elevated level of competition, it aligns us with reputable institutions such as Chico State, San Luis Obispo, and Sonoma State to name a few,” said CSUMB’s Athletics Director Howard Gauthier.  “With the elevated status, CSUMB will also now be on a level playing field in regards to recruitment and funding. Our program should also gain some immense visibility within the state of California,” continued Gauthier.
The standard amount of time it takes to become accepted into NCAA Division II is four years, yet through determination and strict adherence to NCAA standards, the CSUMB athletics department was able to acquire the membership into Division II in only three years. 
“Our department has been pursuing division II status for three years, and now it’s paying off,” explained Gauthier.
Some of the requirements from the NCAA to become accepted into division II included raising $250,000 for scholarships, providing annual reports and self studies detailing the athletics department’s growth, upgrading athletic facilities and the creation of a more diverse and well rounded staff.
The NCAA’s Division II focuses on the academic success of its student athletes and believes that athletics benefit the academics within student’s lives and the campus community as a whole.
“We want to be in an arena that really balances students athletics and education, which division II does just that,” explained CSUMB President Dianne Harrison. “Division II is the only division within the NCAA that has a very well thought out strategic plan and intention, and of which runs fairly congruent with our institutions vision statement.”
 According to the NCAA, members of Division II should believe that a well-conducted intercollegiate athletics program is a proper part of the educational mission of a college and that the educational welfare of the participating student-athlete is of primary concern.  
With the new facilities, the acquiring of elite athletes, and the CSUMB’s otter spirit, this year is bound to be a great one for otter sports.