Goodwell, Okla.—In pursuit of making a transition to the NAIA ranks, Oklahoma Panhandle State University has been officially invited to join as full members of both the Sooner Athletic Conference and the Central States Football League.
Memberships for each would start during the 2017-2018 academic year and would include immediate eligibility for post-season conference championships and achievement awards. Panhandle received unanimous approval from the SAC Council of Presidents along with Central Christian College of Kansas, who will also be joining the league next year.
The Aggies would compete in nine sports within the Sonner Athletic Conference including: baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, softball and volleyball. Football will resume play within the CSFL through the 2017 season, after which that sport will be absorbed into the SAC as part of an expansion effort.
While the university must still go through an approval process with the NAIA, the coaches and administration are extremely enthusiastic and optimistic about the future of Aggie Athletics. All parties involved view this transition not only as necessary, but as a vital move that will present Panhandle's student athletes with the best possible opportunities for success both on and off the field.
Aggie Softball's head coach
Meghan Mulcahy sees the SAC as "a great place for us to begin our NAIA journey" and states that her team is looking forward to the competition this level will offer. Competitive edge was one of the main aspects considered during the deliberation process of shifting from the NCAA Division II level to the NAIA. Other contributing factors expected to greatly benefit athletic programs down the road are largely financial and include lower travel costs, which will come with a more centrally-located league, as well as decreased association fees which will also provide overall savings that can be used for department-wide improvements to facilities and athletic infrastructure.
University president Dr. Tim Faltyn has been a supportive and driving force throughout this process and shares the excitement of his athletics staff for the future of Panhandle State sports. "We are extremely honored by the invitation to join the Sooner Athletic Conference and the CSFL. This move is going to make a big difference not only to the coaches and student athletes, but also to the student experience as a whole on this campus."
Looking forward to what lies ahead, Aggie Men's Basketball Coach
Jerry Olson commented, "I am really excited to be accepted into one of the premier NAIA conferences in the country. There have been a lot of National Champions out of the Sooner Athletic Conference." Olson also expressed his appreciation stating, "Dr. Faltyn has worked very hard to get us into a conference and in a position where we can be successful."
Panhandle's Head Football Coach
Russell Gaskamp offered a statement as well saying, "I am very excited about being a full member of the CSFL. Being familiar with that league from our previous scheduling alliance, I am even more excited that our kids will have the opportunity to compete for a CSFL Championship as early as 2017, and feel like we can be very competitive right away." As a prior NCAA Division II Independent team, the Aggies entered the Lone Star Conference for football only in 2016 to solidify scheduling needs. Those needs will be stabilized with the school's acceptance into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Although there is still work to be done towards the process of attaining NAIA status, the Aggies' invitation for membership into the SAC and CSFL are two very big steps in the right direction. Dr. Wayne Stewart, Athletic Director at OPSU, stated, "We are tremendously excited about the move to the NAIA and the membership opportunities in both the SAC and the CSFL. This move will allow OPSU student athletes the ability to better compete on a level playing field, will add to the OPSU student experience as a whole, and will allow OPSU to continue to offer competitive sports and maybe even add sports in the future. It is a great time to be an Aggie!"
