Colorado Springs, Colo. – After an extensive review of
potential members, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC)
Presidents Council voted Thursday to add Black Hills State
University to the conference in 2012-13, announced Dr. Jim Fries,
chair of the RMAC Presidents Council.
“We are extremely pleased with the opportunity to bring in
Black Hills State as a full member of the RMAC,” said Dr.
Fries. “They are an excellent fit in our conference
both academically and athletically.
“The RMAC is one of the primary reasons we chose to move
to (NCAA) Division II,” said Black Hills State President Dr.
Kay Schallenkamp. “The institutions in the conference
are very similar to Black Hills State and we welcome the athletic
competitiveness in the league. This is great news for
students, fans, and alumni. Joining the RMAC will create
extraordinary opportunities for our scholar-athletes and build
exceptional recognition for the University.”
BHSU will be the 14th member of the league beginning in 2012.
The Yellow Jackets will also join the RMAC next year as an
associate member in softball. With the addition of BHSU, and
Colorado Christian starting softball next season, the RMAC will
have 14 softball playing institutions in 2012.
“We are very excited to join the Rocky Mountain Athletic
Conference,” said Jhett Albers, Director of Athletics.
“The RMAC is a competitive league and a great fit for the
University and our student-athletes.”
“The RMAC is excited to include Black Hills State as a
member,” said RMAC Commissioner Joel R. Smith.
“They have a first class institution and athletic program
that aligns well with our other members.”
Black Hills State is in the first year of NCAA Division II
candidacy membership. The Yellow Jackets will enter NCAA
Division II candidacy membership next year, and will be an NCAA
Division II provisional member in 2012-13. Upon becoming a
full NCAA member in 2013-14, BHSU will then be eligible for all
NCAA and conference championships.
Currently a member of the NAIA and the Dakota Athletic
Conference, BHSU has an enrollment of over 4,700 students and
offers 12 varsity sports (men's and women's basketball,
men's and women's cross country, football,
women's golf, softball, men's and women's indoor
track & field, men's and women's outdoor track
& field, and volleyball).
The RMAC is an NCAA Division II conference with 14 member
institutions in Colorado (Adams State College, Colorado Christian
University, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State
University-Pueblo, Fort Lewis College, Mesa State College,
Metropolitan State College of Denver, Regis University, University
of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Western State College), Nebraska
(Chadron State College, University of Nebraska at Kearney), and New
Mexico (New Mexico Highlands University, Western New Mexico
University. Nebraska-Kearney, which is moving to the Mid-America
Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), will end their last
year as an RMAC member be 2011-12.
The RMAC has won 77 national championships, including 45 NCAA
titles.
For more information on Black Hills State Athletics, visit www.BHSUAthletics.com.
