Malone University received notification on Friday that the institution has been granted full, active membership in NCAA Division II.

The long-awaited communication from the NCAA Membership Committee arrived following the completion of a rigorous three-year transition process that began when Malone's initial application for Division II membership was approved in July of 2010.  The NCAA closely monitored the Pioneer athletic department as it successfully navigated through Candidacy Year 1 and Candidacy Year 2 before moving to the provisional membership stage a little more than one year ago.

During the provisional year, Malone was required to function just like a NCAA Division II member, following all policies and procedures.  The Pioneer athletic department also underwent an NCAA compliance audit in the fall of 2012 and athletic director Charlie Grimes submitted the required Annual Report/Institutional Self Study to the NCAA on June 1, 2013.

Malone, which completed its first year of competition in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) in 2012-13, will now enjoy all the benefits of active NCAA Division II status, including full postseason eligibility for all 20 of its varsity sports.

"I want to personally thank the Malone University community and student body for their support of Athletics in advancing through the NCAA Division II Membership transition," said Grimes.  "Becoming a full status member of the NCAA is a milestone for all of us.  We have made a pivotal decision for the improvement and enrichment of our campus athletic experience for not only our fine student-athletes, but also for the entire Canton community.  The residents of Stark County are deeply committed to excellence in athletics, and Malone has now sharpened itself to provide family friendly, exciting opportunities for both athletes and fans alike.  We invite everyone to join us at an upcoming event to cheer on your Pioneers!"

"The Malone community is delighted to receive this approval, an acknowledgment of the outstanding efforts and excellence of our athletics staff and coaches," noted the University's President, Dr. David King.  "First and foremost it reflects our ongoing commitment to our student experience and our objective in athletics to deliver a 'Christ Centered, Athlete Focused and Coach Driven' experience for our student athletes."

The Pioneers join nine colleges and universities in the state of Ohio – Ashland University, Cedarville University, Central State University, the University of Findlay, Lake Erie College, Notre Dame College, Ohio Dominican University, Tiffin University, and Urbana University—that are active NCAA Div. II members.  Walsh University and Ursuline College, like Malone, also earned full membership status in 2013-14.