Chowan University to join Conference Carolinas as 'associate member' in different sports

By Conference Carolinas
Published in Sports on November 13, 2015 1:48 PM

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Conference Carolinas Media Relations

HIGH POINT -- Chowan University begins a new era in athletic history after being accepted for associate membership in Conference Carolinas.

The Hawks will compete in Conference Carolinas play in women's golf, men's soccer, women's soccer, men's lacrosse, and women's lacrosse effective January 2017.

Chowan was unanimously approved for associate membership in October, and is the second institution that will compete in Conference Carolinas as such.

"We are extremely thankful to Conference Carolinas for accepting us as associate members for women's golf, men's soccer, women's soccer, men's lacrosse and women's lacrosse," said Ozzie McFarland, vice president/director athletics at Chowan. "These are all sports that are not sponsored by the CIAA. We look forward to healthy, competitive interactions with each member institution.

"Having a conference home is incredibly important to a college athletic team. It assists with scheduling, national playoff opportunities and individual recognition for student-athletes and coaches."

Located in northeastern North Carolina, and recognized as one of the fastest growing private institutions in the state, Chowan remains committed to expanding opportunities for athletic competition and is expected to fit within the growing landscape of Conference Carolinas.

"Chowan's athletic programs have fine reputations for sportsmanship and competitiveness," said Dr. M. Christopher White, president of Chowan University. "Our institution is experiencing remarkable growth in almost every aspect. Our goal is for each program to be competitive on the regional and national level.

"Conference affiliation greatly increases the opportunities we can provide for the student-athletes in sports that previously competed independently."

Conference Carolinas is an NCAA Division II with 12 members located in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Emmanuel (Ga.) College and Southern Wesleyan are in the final stages of the NCAA Division II membership process and will be considered full members in 2016 and 2017, respectively.

"Conference Carolinas and Division II enunciate a care for student-athletes standing equally beside the educational value of striving to be the best possible," said Dr. Alan Patterson, Conference Carolinas commissioner. "Conference Carolinas members believe Chowan students in the associated sports deserve the opportunity to experience conference competition and the excitement of automatic qualification."

Conference Carolinas began as the Old North State Conference during its affiliation in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. The league changed its name to Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference when it gained Division II status in the mid-1990s.