ST. CHARLES, Mo. - It was announced on Wednesday evening at the 2025 NCAA Convention hosted in Nashville, Tenn. that the Division I council has adopted the proposal to revise the process for institutions reclassifying from Division II or Division III to Division I. 

The revised process will now require a three-year reclassification for an institution moving from Division II to Division I and a four-year period for institutions from Division III to Division I. This proposal is effective immediately for an institution beginning the reclassification process during the 2025-26 academic year and thereafter. Lindenwood is in Year Three of the reclassification process and has officially notified the NCAA of its intent to engage in the expedited process to exit the reclassification phase one year early thus allowing for all teams to be fully eligible for NCAA Championships during the 2025-26 academic year. In order to engage in the expedited process, Lindenwood will have to meet the enhanced criteria that was adopted as a condition of the reduced timeline. Lindenwood University fully expects to meet those new criteria to be eligible for the 2025-26 academic year.

Quote from Jason Coomer, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics 

"The NCAA's recent vote to provide an expedited reclassification path is wonderful news for Lindenwood University and our student-athletes. This vote signifies a crucial step in elevating the competitive landscape of college athletics, and we are well-prepared to meet the updated timeline for reclassification. We are extremely appreciative of the action taken by the NCAA Division I Council in Nashville at the NCAA Convention and are already preparing for next steps. Lindenwood has officially communicated its intent to the NCAA to engage in the expedited process, enabling our student-athletes to emerge from reclassification status a year early and be fully eligible for NCAA Championships beginning in the 2025-26 academic year. Our university community, coaches, and student-athletes are eagerly anticipating the exciting opportunities this change will bring to Lindenwood." 

Under the current leadership of Coomer and President Dr. John Porter, Lindenwood will be moving ahead with a request to expedite the reclassification process immediately. Throughout the first two and a half years of this reclassification, Lindenwood has made strides in the reclassification process and will work towards the necessary steps to complete this process. 

Lindenwood has already shown remarkable success while competing in the Ohio Valley Conference over the last two years. In the Fall of 2024, Lindenwood won its first two OVC Tournament Championships with the women's soccer and women's volleyball programs claiming the title. Throughout the reclassification process, Lindenwood is eligible to compete in OVC Championships but not eligible for automatic bids to NCAA Championships. With the new proposal, Lindenwood will be eligible to compete in NCAA Championships next Fall if all requirements are met. 

Quote from Dr. John Porter, President of Lindenwood University

"This vote from the NCAA is positive news for Lindenwood University and our Athletics Department. This updated process for reclassification reflects a step forward for the University, and we are prepared to meet the revised timeline for reclassification. Our university community, coaches, and student-athletes are excited about the opportunities this change can bring for Lindenwood." 

According to the NCAA Media Center release on Jan. 15, Conferences inviting Division II and Division III schools to join must meet all academic requirements including being above the 10^th percentile of Division I members in the Academic Progress Rate, Graduation Success Rate or the difference between the federal graduation rates for student-athletes and for the general student body. 

Reclassifying schools also must participate in an academic review, satisfy all Division I core guarantees and attestation requirements, complete and NCAA self-study program and meet new financial aid requirements. Progression through the process is dependent upon meeting each year's benchmarks. 

Quote from Beth DeBauche, Ohio Valley Conference Commissioner

"The entire OVC membership is pleased that the NCAA Division I Council supported legislation to establish new membership reclassification criteria and are eager to learn more about the implementation details.  We stand ready to support Lindenwood as they assess this process and their timeline for meeting new benchmarks." 

Lindenwood will share additional information in the coming weeks following the review of the University's request to participate in the updated process.