After a vote by the league’s presidents, Rogers State University has accepted an offer of full membership to the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) after holding Associate Member status since joining at the start of the 2019-2020 academic year.
“Today is a historic day for Rogers State University as we accept full membership into the MIAA,” Dr. Larry Rice, university president, said. “The MIAA is the preeminent athletic conference in NCAA Division II and full membership for RSU not only enhances the standing of our athletic teams, but the reputation of the University as well. I am proud of the work of our athletic staff and coaches, along with the efforts of our student-athletes, in achieving full membership. We are grateful to the other league members who demonstrated confidence in our ability to add new chapters to its history of excellence.”
Since joining the MIAA, RSU has made an impact in the league claiming two team conference titles (2022 Men’s Golf, 2022 Softball) and one individual conference title (Luke Palmowski, 2021 Men’s Golf) as well as competing in 25 conference championships. Additionally, the Hillcats have represented the MIAA well on the national stage winning the 2022 NCAA Division II Softball National Championship and competing in the 2021 and 2022 NCAA Division II Women’s Golf National Championships and the 2021 NCAA Division II Men’s Golf National Championships. RSU men’s basketball also earned an at-large bid to the 2020 NCAA Tournament before the event was cancelled due to COVID-19.
“We are excited to continue our relationship with the top conference in NCAA Division II after being extended an offer for full membership today,” said Dr. Chris Ratcliff, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics. “As I said in 2018 when it was announced we would be joining the league, the MIAA’s reputation for championship-caliber athletic programs, emphasis on academic excellence and a commitment to community service perfectly mirror the traits we strive to uphold in our vision for Hillcat Athletics. Thank you to our fellow members for displaying their confidence in us to add value to the league and help continue to build on this next chapter of excellence in its storied history.”
In the classroom, the Hillcats have also made great strides to uphold the MIAA’s high standards for academic excellence. Since Fall 2019, RSU has placed 321 student-athletes on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll in their respective sports.To be recognized on the Academic Honor Roll, a student-athlete must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 3.00 at the certifying member institution. Additionally, 103 Hillcat student-athletes and nine teams have earned regional and national academic honors during that same time period.
“The MIAA CEO Council’s action this week culminated two years of study and discussion about membership and the strategic direction of the MIAA as the preeminent regional conference in NCAA Division II,” said MIAA Commissioner Mike Racy. “Newman’s and Rogers State’s geographic fit for current MIAA members, and their broad sports offerings, and our shared philosophy and values of NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics make both institutions great additions to the MIAA family. We are excited to welcome NU and RSU as new members, and to identify Wichita and Tulsa as new communities with MIAA institutions.”
The MIAA is a 14-school, NCAA Division II athletic conference featuring public and private institutions in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma. The conference includes area schools such as Northeastern State, Central Oklahoma, Pittsburg State and Missouri Southern. Other MIAA schools include Central Missouri, Emporia State, Fort Hays State, Lincoln, Missouri Western, Nebraska-Kearney, Newman, Northwest Missouri, and Washburn.
