EVANSVILLE -- "Will the University of Southern Indiana ever make the jump to Division I?"
It's a question that's been asked countless times since the school started finding success in men's basketball more than a quarter-century ago. The answer from USI officials over the years as almost always beena resounding "no."
Now, it's a resounding "maybe."
The University of Southern Indiana will explore the feasibility of moving to NCAADivision I in athletics,PresidentRonaldRochon announced this week. The school announced the plan Monday. The Screaming Eagles are currently a member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference and NCAA Division II athletics.
"Looking to our institution’s future and the 2021-2025 Strategic Plan: Accelerating Impact, I am announcing an exploration into the feasibility of a move to Division I play," Rochon said in the announcement."The feasibility review will consider a variety of elements including fiscal and facilities requirements and internal and external community support."
More:Auburn exhibition, early road games highlight USI men's basketball 2021-22 schedule
USI will not take football into consideration. Rochon said it would require investment and facilities that are "out of scope at this time."
This move comes amid more conference realignment at the Division I level. The Ohio Valley Conference, in particular, could see four schools leave in the past year with Austin Peay joining the ASUN in the near future and numerous media reports anticipating an announcementfrom Belmont this week.
"This potential move is not one to be taken lightly," said Rochon. "There is much to consider. We will be engaging an outside consultant who specializes in these evaluations, undergoing substantial review of the financial requirements and forming a University committee in the coming days."
Information gathered will be provided to the USI Board of Trustees for review during its November meeting.
More:Here is the Evansville-area high school football schedule, radio links for Week 7
To petition to change its membershipto Division I, the school must have been an active Division II member for at least the last five years, be in compliance with all Division I minimum sport sponsorship and financial aid membership requirements and have received an offer of membership from a Division I conference.
According to the NCAA, applicationsto join Division I must be submitted to theStrategic Vision and Planning Committee by June 1, prior to the academic year the school would like to begin the first year of the four-year reclassification process.
An application fee is determined each year based on the estimated annual average value of direct benefits through distributions and championships made available to Division I members.Schools qualify for monetary distributions based on sport sponsorship and scholarships following the third academic year as an active Division I member.
USI currently has 17 athletic teams, eight men's sports and nine women'ssports. The swimming and diving program won't begin competition until the 2022-23 school year. USI recently revamped several of its athletic facilities with the addition of Screaming Eagles Arena, the Screaming Eagles Complex and the USI Aquatic Center, which is expected to officially open later this fall.
How does USI's athletic landscape compare to other similar-sized public universities with D1athletics in the region?
Murray State, a member of the OVC, has 15 total sports including two that differ from USI -- football and rifle. Fellow OVC member school Eastern Illinois has 18, the lone difference being football.
Here is the list of schools currently transitioning to full-member status in Division I athletics: Bellarmine (a former GLVC member), North Alabama, California Baptist, Merrimack College, Dixie State, Tarleton State, California-San Diego and St. Thomas.
USI has also worked closely with the Evansville Sports Corp. on the city’s hosting of several NCAA Division II championship events.
More of those championships are to come. The Ford Center is scheduled to host the Division II men’s basketball national finals, commonly known as the Elite Eight, until 2025. The city’s new Deaconess Aquatic Center will host the Division II men’s and women’s swimming and diving national championship in 2026.
Angel Mounds has hosted NCAA cross country races.
“Obviously they have great leadership and are a great partner to the Evansville Sports Corp. and this community as a whole,” sports corporation Executive Director Eric Marvin said of USI. “As they explore a potential move to Division I, we support them in that process.”
USI’s exploration “doesn’t have an effect on championships we’ve already secured through 2026,” Marvin said. “If they decide to make that move to Division I, we would have a discussion on how that would impact things for the future.”
