PHOENIX, AZ – New Pacific West Conference members Azusa Pacific University, Fresno Pacific University and Point Loma Nazarene University have been accepted into the NCAA Division II membership process beginning with the 2011-12 athletic season.  All three will begin their first year of NCAA Division II candidacy on September 1.

The NCAA membership staff notified each of the institutions on Monday, July 11.

“This is a remarkable time for the PacWest,” Bob Hogue, commissioner of the conference, said. “We are thrilled that these three outstanding institutions have entered the NCAA Division II membership process. We look forward to all of them making a huge impact in conference and the West Region very soon. Their acceptance helps us in our goal to become the premier Division II athletic conference in the West.”

A fourth school - Holy Names University - was not accepted in the highly competitive national process.

“We're disappointed about that news," Hogue said. "But, we remain very supportive and committed to Holy Names, and will be endorsing its application in the next round. We strongly believe that due to their strong commitment to the standards and ideals of Division II, that their acceptance will come soon, and we will support them all the way.”

In addition to the three institutions being accepted into the process, the PacWest also received news that Dominican University of California has reached full NCAA Division II membership status beginning this season and is eligible for NCAA II post-season action, while Academy of Art has reached provisional status and is expected to become a full Division II member in 2012-13. Cal Baptist also completed its first year of candidacy in 2010-11 and is headed into its second year of candidacy this season.

The excitement of being accepted into the NCAA II membership process quickly spread throughout each campus.

“We are very pleased and excited that the NCAA has approved our application to begin the membership process,” Dennis Janzen, director of athletics at Fresno Pacific, said. “This is an affirmation for the entire university in terms of our history, what FPU stands for, and where our future as a comprehensive, Christ-centered university is taking us.”

D. Merrill Ewert, FPU's president, echoed Janzen's thoughts.

“Acceptance into the NCAA membership process represents a wonderful opportunity for Fresno Pacific. We are honored by the invitation, and believe our student athletes and coaches are up to this new challenge. The university has expanded substantially over the past 20 years so we're excited about aligning ourselves with the NCAA. Our continued growth as a university reflects our ongoing commitment to quality education in California's Central Valley and beyond.”

Point Loma Nazarene, which gives the PacWest a footprint in San Diego, is excited about the jump to Division II as well.

"PLNU is pleased to be accepted into NCAA DII membership and we look forward to full participation in the PacWest,” Dr. Bob Brower, the university's president said. “This important step in our athletic program will provide exciting opportunities for our student-athletes and the university."

Athletic Director Ethan Hamilton received the phone call from the NCAA Division II Membership Committee confirming Point Loma Nazarene University's approval.

“This announcement culminates an application process that began several months ago,” he explained. “Several people have worked extremely hard to make this happen and we will continue working toward being a model NCAA Division II institution.”

Azusa Pacific provides the PacWest a second institution in the Los Angeles metropolitan area currently in the D-II membership process.

"Acceptance of our application for membership into NCAA Division II represents a great honor and distinction for our university. This occasion also reflects our genuine desire to raise the bar on intercollegiate athletic competition following nearly five decades of active and highly successful membership in the NAIA," Azusa Pacific University President Jon R. Wallace stated. "We look forward to achieving full membership and are enthusiastic about the prospect of competition at a new level, one that will bolster our athletic program, strengthen our institutional image, and exemplify our shared values."

Gary Pine, the athletic director at Azusa Pacific, said there was a sense of honor and gratitude that the NCAA would find the institution worthy of entry into Division II.

“This marks a new journey and a new challenge for our athletic program, one that excites our coaches, our student-athletes, our faculty/staff, and our alumni,” he stated. “The next three years will be a time of transition with moments that will test us in all facets of our program, but I am confident that we will reach active membership by 2014, and along the way forge new relationships with the NCAA, PacWest and GNAC (football) members while maintaining friendships with colleagues in the NAIA with whom we have worked alongside for decades.”

During the upcoming 2011-12 season, the PacWest will feature 10 schools competing in 11 official conference sports.