BREAKING NEWS: USI Votes “YES” On Move To Division I
USI Votes “YES” On Move To Division I
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On Monday, February 7, the University of Southern Indiana Board of Trustees, after careful review and consideration, gave approval for the University to make a formal application to the NCAA for reclassification from Division II to Division I athletics. The vote was unanimous, 9-0.
“Indiana is my home state. Evansville is my hometown. The University of Southern Indiana is my alma mater. I can’t imagine my life without their influence,” said Ron Romain, USI Board of Trustees Chair. “I believe we have a duty to be forward-thinking, to embrace change, and to make our community and the state better. The unanimous vote of this Board indicates how strong support is for this move.”
The decision comes after months of deliberation by the Board and substantial input from the University which began in Fall 2021. As part of the exploratory process the Board received the results from across the campus community of an internal survey, which included more than 2,200 responses. Additionally, the Board received a report from the DI Exploratory Committee made up of 25 individuals representing the USI governance bodies, faculty, staff, students, alumni, student-athletes, coaches, and community members. The report was based on the NCAA Readiness Assessment which serves as the foundation for a strategic plan should an application be made by an institution to be considered for DI membership. Finally, the Board received information from external consultants on the national landscape in intercollegiate athletics, including conference realignments, the NCAA Constitutional Convention, and their observations as experts in these arenas.
“In our 56 plus year history, there have been many firsts. Our founders envisioned public higher education for our area and brought it to life in 1965,” said USI President Ronald S. Rochon. “Today, in 2022, USI envisions a future that includes competing at the highest level of athletic play, Division I. This move will serve to elevate the University athletically and academically. This is a proud moment for this institution; for our students, faculty, and staff; for our more than 47,000 alumni; and for this community and the State of Indiana.”
Rochon said this move was initiated when Division I conference officials sought out the University for inclusion. The move is also aligned with the University’s strategic plan goals of promoting USI to a national stage. “This move is directly tied to one of our stated strategic plan goals of elevating the University’s visibility and reputation,” said Rochon. “We have a long history of forward-thinking and bold leaders and initiatives that have brought this institution to where we are now. Today’s decision marks one of the most daring and significant moves for the University since achieving its independence in 1985 as a statewide institution.”
USI has competed in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference since 1979. The Screaming Eagles have been a competitive member of the GLVC with a winning history, including 10 individual and four team national championships at the DII level. USI student-athletes have a proud tradition of academic excellence and Academic All-American status across all sports. With the addition of Swimming and Diving in Fall 2022, USI will have 19 varsity sports competing at the DI level.
“We have a proud tradition in the GLVC as a founding member and have appreciated our strong partnership with conference leadership and the schools we have competed against in this conference,” said Jon Mark Hall, Athletic Director. “Our success in the GLVC has allowed us to consider moving to Division I play, and we are excited about the opportunity to compete at that level.”
The next step will be for the University to be invited by an NCAA Division I conference. The University will be finalizing discussions with a potential conference partner in the coming days and a public announcement will be made. After a conference partner is determined, the University will then make a formal bid for reclassification within the NCAA prior to a June 1 deadline. Upon acceptance, the transition process takes four years to complete. USI would begin competing in a Division I 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 champions during the four-year transition, the University would not be eligible for NCAA championships.
The move to Division I athletics will require additional funding including application fees, additional staffing and athletic scholarships. The University plans to meet those needs through student fees phased in over time, as well as donor support. Rochon has announced that generous donors have already committed $1.5 million in leadership gifts. He also committed to a 3% pool for employee raises beginning July 1, 2022, for the 2022-2023 academic year.
“I challenge all of those who support this University and this community and want to make them even better places, to join me in making a wise investment—to support this effort to enhance the reputation and visibility of USI and our community,” said Romain. “I understand that supporting athletics may not be for everyone, and the foundation of this great institution is academic in nature, however, we believe this move to Division I will advance USI on all levels.”
A formal capital campaign is in the planning stages and the University will seek to mirror, dollar for dollar, funds to support both academics and athletics.
Supporting information about the University’s exploration of the move to Division I can be found at www.USI.edu/explore-DI.
Shooting/Murder Investigation
 On February 6th, around 8:50 p.m., Evansville Police Officers were dispatched to the 300 block of Madison Ave. in reference to multiple shots fired and a victim who had been shot outside of a residence. When officers arrived on scene, they located the adult victim on the front porch of a residence. The victim had multiple gunshot wounds and officers began life-saving measures while they waited for an ambulance. The victim was transported to a local hospital. Unfortunately, the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead a few hours later at the hospital.Â
This investigation is still active and no arrests have been made at this time. The victim’s name and cause of death will be released at a later time by the Vanderburgh County Coroner’s Office.Â
If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact the Evansville Police Adult Investigation Unit at (812) 436-7979.Â
COOK, PREVOST LEAD THUNDERBOLTS OVER BOBCATS 2-1Â
Danville, Ill.:  Despite a 47-13 shot advantage, the Thunderbolts were limited to only a 2-1 victory, but a victory nonetheless in Danville on Sunday night with goals from Cameron Cook and Coy Prevost. The Thunderbolts next home game will be on Wednesday, February 9th at 7:00pm CST as they host the Vermilion County Bobcats. For tickets, call (812)422-BOLT (2658), buy online at EvansvilleThunderbolts.com, or buy tickets in person at the Ford Center Box Office.
After a scoreless first period, Cook got the scoring started on a shorthanded rush and pass from Josh Adkins at the 3:05 mark of the second period to give Evansville the lead. The Thunderbolts kept buzzing and scored once again as Prevost scored on a deflected shot at 6:23, unassisted to give Evansville a 2-0 lead.  Despite a continued offensive barrage on Ben Churchfield and the Bobcats, the Thunderbolts were unable to score again in the game’s remainder. The Bobcats broke through with a power play goal from Aaron Ryback at 7:51 of the third period, but the Thunderbolts shut down Vermilion County from there, holding on to the 2-1 win.
Prevost and Cook each finished with one goal, while Brian Billett finished with 12 saves on 13 shots for his 15th win of the season. The Thunderbolts and Bobcats next meet on Wednesday, February 9th at Ford Center.
The Thunderbolts are currently competing in their fifth season in the SPHL (Southern Professional Hockey League). Season tickets are less than $9 per game. To order your tickets for this season, call 812-422-BOLT(2658).
Senators Braun Send Letter To Labor Secretary Walsh Calling For Public Engagement
Senators Braun Letter To Labor Secretary Walsh Calling For Public Engagement Before New Overtime Rules
 WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Mike Braun (Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety), Senator Richard Burr (Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions) and Representative Virginia Foxx (Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and Labor) and Representative Fred Keller (Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections) sent a letter to Department of Labor Secretary Marty Walsh calling for “robust public engagement†before proposing any new overtime pay requirements, which the Department of Labor has stated it intends to issue in April 2022.
The Members write:
“We write to request that the Department of Labor (DOL or Department) conduct robust public engagement prior to any Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on overtime pay requirements. The Administrative Procedure Act recognizes the value of public participation in rulemaking, especially for rules that significantly affect the public. Given the past and present stakeholder interest in regulatory changes to overtime pay requirements, we request DOL conduct a Request for Information (RFI) and hold stakeholder meetings with the regulated community before commencing its process of writing an NPRM. Such steps will help DOL assess if changes are prudent and necessary at this time and gather information to better inform the substance and timing of any proposed changes.â€
The letter goes on to question the need for overhauling the current overtime pay regulations, and emphasizes the need for public engagement with the employers and employees who will be affected by the changes before making them:
“The current overtime pay regulations were carefully developed with significant public input and at cost to the taxpayer. While DOL has stated its intention to issue an NRPM in April 2022, it is not evident that there is a real or pressing need to overhaul the current framework, which has only been in place for a scant two years. We, therefore, encourage the agency to engage first and foremost in an RFI process prior to developing new regulations.â€
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USI Board Of Trustees To Meet In Executive And Special Sessions Today At Noon To Discuss NCAA Reclassifaction
The University of Southern Indiana Board of Trustees will meet in Executive and Special sessions today, February 7, 2022, in Carter Hall, located in the University Center. The purpose of the meetings is to discuss the potential application to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for reclassification from Division II to Division I athletics at the University of Southern Indiana.
Regardless of the outcome of the Board of Trustee meeting, a press conference will follow in room UC 226-227Â adjacent to Carter Hall in UC West. Available for comment will be USI President Ronald S. Rochon, USI Board of Trustees Chair Ronald Romain, and USI Athletic Director Jon Mark Hall. All questions should be held for the press conference.
In order to provide physical distancing and practice current safety protocols, in-person audience attendance will be limited in Carter Hall. A designated area for media has been reserved. The Special Session public meeting at 1 p.m. will also be live-streamed.