We Dare

USI announces Ohio Valley Conference as partner for NCAA Division I reclassification

On Wednesday, February 9, the University of Southern Indiana accepted an invitation to join the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) as it’s Division I partner. The partnership allows the University to move forward with reclassification in the NCAA prior to a June 1 deadline. Upon acceptance, the transition process takes four years to complete.

USI would begin competing in the Ohio Valley Conference at the beginning of the 2022-23 academic year and would leave the GLVC at the end of this academic year. Although USI may be eligible for conference championships during the four-year transition, it would not be eligible for NCAA championships.

(full press release)

A Statement from Ohio Valley Conference Commissioner Beth DeBauche

As the OVC looked at adding a new member to the conference, the OVC Board of Presidents and our broader membership were very interested in USI joining the conference, for many reasons including:

• A shared commitment to one another. The ties that bind our schools go beyond athletics. Over its 74-year history, the OVC has been a very stable conference in large part because our institutions are similar in size, budget, and mission. USI has much in common with the other members of the OVC, and we are confident USI will be a perfect fit. Our members are anxious to welcome USI into the OVC family and work with USI to develop the next chapter in OVC history.
  
  
• The similarity of mission and vision between USI and the OVC’s members. It is clear our institutions share a commitment to academic success and to putting student-athletes at the center of all that we do. This commitment includes ensuring that the athletics experience enables students to realize their full potential in the classroom and on the playing fields.
  
  
• USI’s strong and principled leadership team. Led by President Ronald Rochon, A.D. Jon Mark Hall, and Board Chair Ron Romain, USI’s leadership has a vision for future growth and enhanced excellence, with intercollegiate athletics playing an integral and appropriate role in that plan. USI is forward-looking, as are the other members of the OVC.
  
  
• The immediate synergy between the OVC Board and the USI leadership team is evident as they share a commitment to operating programs with integrity, focused on creating a culture that promotes respect and inclusion.
  
  
• USI’s history of sustained competitive success at the conference and national levels, including four team and 10 individual National Championships. Success breeds success, and USI knows what it means to win. The OVC is confident USI will be even more successful at the Division I level.
  
  
• USI’s beautiful athletic facilities, as hallmarked by the new Screaming Eagles Complex and Arena, along with the institution’s vision for additional facility growth.
  
  
• USI’s geographic location in the center of the OVC. Frankly, what could be a more fitting addition to the OVC than an institution near the Ohio River. Adding USI will mean shorter competition trips and more nights on campus for more student-athletes.
  
  
• The institution’s location in Evansville. As a result of OVC hosting its basketball tournament in Evansville, the Evansville community has become very important to the OVC. We are excited to build on our existing relationships within the community.
  
  
• A shared commitment to one another. The ties that bind our schools go beyond athletics. Over its 74-year history, the OVC has been a very stable conference in large part because our institutions are similar in size, budget, and mission. USI has much in common with the other members of the OVC, and we are confident USI will be a perfect fit. Our members are anxious to welcome USI into the OVC family and work with USI to develop the next chapter in OVC history.

USI Points of Pride

Student Athlete GPA: 3.29

Retention Rates: Single-year retention is 915 (out of 1,000)

Academic All-GLVC for 2021-22: 228

35 Academic All-America honors

NCAA Tournament Appearances: 188 (includes Track & Field scoring appearances;
Cross Country nationals)

2010 NCAA II Baseball National Championship

• 1st University in Indiana to win
• 1st in the GLVC

2014 NCAA II Baseball National Championship

• 1st Program to win multiple team titles

2018 NCAA II Softball National Championship

• 1st in Indiana to win NCAA championship.

1995 NCAA II Men’s Basketball National Championship

• 3.9 million viewers saw USI win the title on CBS

10 NCAA II Individual National Championships in Cross Country and Track & Field

• Elly Rono won three titles in one academic year (1996-97)
• Tyler Pence won two titles in the 2015 spring semester

16 NCAA II Regional Championships

• Baseball: 5 (2007, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018)
• Men’s Basketball: 4 (1994, 1995, 2004, 2019)
• Women’ Basketball: 2 (1997, 2001)
• Men’s Cross Country: 2 (1982, 1983)
• Softball: 2 (2017, 2018)
• Women’s Cross Country: 1 (1999)

USI was a founding member of the GLVC and began competing in 1979

USI has had seven national athlete/players of the year

Stan Gouard, current head coach, was a two-time NCAA II Men's Basketball National Player of the Year

Mike Hillyard, USI alumnus and head coach, has been named GLVC Coach of the Year 29 times in Men's and Women’s Cross Country

USI has had 231 student athletes earn All-America honors