EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Southern Indiana has accepted an invitation from The Summit League for conference affiliation in NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Swimming & Diving and Men’s Soccer beginning in 2022-23. The affiliate conference membership for these varsity programs follows USI being accepted as a full member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) in February as the University transitions to Division I athletics.
USI will begin competing in the OVC and The Summit this fall. In the Summit, USI Men’s Soccer will not be eligible for the post-season (conference and national tournament) until 2026 and the completion of the Division I certification. USI Swimming & Diving will be eligible to compete at The Summit conference championships immediately.
In addition to USI Swimming & Diving being eligible for The Summit post-season, USI varsity programs also are being permitted to compete for OVC conference championships during the reclassification.
The Summit League was founded in 1982 and spans from Indiana to the Rockies. Full-time members include University of Denver, University of Missouri Kansas City, University of Nebraska Omaha, University of North Dakota, North Dakota State University, Oral Roberts University, University of St. Thomas, University of South Dakota, South Dakota State University, and Western Illinois University. The conference affiliate members are Drake University, Eastern Illinois University, Illinois State University, Lindenwood University (new in 2022-23) and USI.
USI was a founding member of the GLVC and began competing in 1979 with a substantial history of athletic success including 190 NCAA Tournament appearances and 231 athletes earning All-American honors. USI has 12 NCAA II individual National Championships in Cross Country and Track & Field, and 16 NCAA II Regional Championships in Baseball, Men’s Basketball, Women’ Basketball, Men’s Cross Country, Women’s Cross Country and Softball.
“We are very appreciative of the opportunity to compete in The Summit League in Men’s Soccer and Men’s/Women’s Swimming and Diving,” said Jon Mark Hall, USI Athletic Director. “All student-athletes want a chance to compete in a conference, especially one with outstanding programs.
“USI also will be aligned with other Ohio Valley Conference institutions that compete in these sports. The Summit League’s commissioner Josh Fenton has been very helpful during this process and our student-athletes appreciate his efforts.”
The USI Men’s Soccer program has had a long and proud history of success in the GLVC, winning 11 conference championships and appearing in the NCAA Division II Tournament three times, hosting regionals twice. The USI Men’s and Women’s Swimming & Diving will be in its inaugural season in 2022-23.
“We’re excited to be part of The Summit League,” said Mat Santoro, USI Men’s Soccer Head Coach. “They have an excellent men’s soccer league led by some of the nation’s best coaches. It’ll be a challenge, but one we are looking forward to.”
“We see it as a great landing spot for our team moving from Division II to Division I competition and believe the conference gives us a solid opportunity at being competitive early on,” said Cameron Kainer, USI Swimming & Diving Head Coach. “Our team is already beginning to set the culture and tone for the future of USI Swimming & Diving and we are looking forward to The Summit League being a part of that process.”
