SUMMIT LEAGUE MEMBERSHIP
One of the Summit League’s most iconic moments came when Valparaiso’s Bryce Drew hit “the shot”, a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer, to top Mississippi in the Þrst round of the 1998 NCAA Tournament. Valpo’s story captivated the nation as they became the league’s second team to reach the “Sweet 16.” Bahamas’ 4x400-meter relay team after winning both the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor 400meter titles and IUPUI’s George Hill became The Summit League’s second NBA Þrst round draft pick. Originally formed in 1982 as the Association of Mid-Continent Universities and later known as the Mid-Continent Conference, The Summit League is in its Þfth year of rebranding that followed its 25th anniversary and coincided with the Summit Plan, a strategic plan that places a renewed emphasis on improving the academic and athletic performances of all league student-athletes. Included in the plan was the league’s new name, the creation of a new image and the addition of three member institutions. The Summit League has a combined enrollment of over 135,000 at 11 universities, Þve of which are located in the top 76 U.S. media markets (Detroit, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Tulsa and Omaha). Member institutions include: IPFW (Indiana University-Purdue UniversityFort Wayne), IUPUI (Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis), UMKC (University of Missouri-Kansas City), the University of Nebraska Omaha (which begins league competition in 2012-13), North Dakota State University, Oakland University, Oral Roberts University, the University of South Dakota (in its Þrst year as a full member), South Dakota State University, Southern Utah University and Western Illinois University. Eastern Illinois University is an associate member in swimming and diving and men’s soccer. These member institutions pride themselves on providing quality athletic, academic and social experiences for their student-athletes. The Summit League sponsors 19 championship sports: baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s indoor track and Þeld, men’s and women’s outdoor track and Þeld, men’s and women’s tennis, and volleyball. The league champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament in all applicable sports. Since its inception in 1982, The Summit League has had several transcendent moments on the national stage. In 1986, Cleveland State upset third-seeded Indiana in the Þrst round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament on its way to a berth in the Sweet 16. A decade later, Valparaiso captured the nation’s attention when Bryce Drew hit “the shot” to defeat No. 4 seed Mississippi in an NCAA Þrst-round game and spark its Sweet 16 run. More recently, Oral Roberts’ baseball program Þnished the 2004 campaign with a nationalranking and became the Þrst Summit League school to reach an NCAA Super Regional in 2006. Three years later, North Dakota State’s 2009 softball team became the Þrst League member to win an NCAA regional and advance to the Super Regional round. During the 2008-09 basketball season, South Dakota State’s women’s team was nationally-ranked throughout the year and capped its season with an NCAA Tournament Þrst round victory. The League has produced Þve NCAA champions, four Olympic athletes and several AllAmericans in the sports of track and Þeld, swimming and diving and cross country. Numerous professional athletes and several draft choices have come directly from The Summit League, including three Major League Baseball Þrst round picks, a pair of NBA Þrst rounders, and one WNBA selection. Former Summit Leaguer Kevin Duckworth (NBA) was a two-time all-star during his professional career. Recent and historical success coupled with an increased growth among its membership base gives The Summit League a promising future on the landscape of college athletics.
IPFW Nickname: Mastodons Location: Fort Wayne, Ind. Enrollment: 14,193 Founded: 1964 Joined League: 2007 IUPUI Nickname: Jaguars Location: Indianapolis, Ind. Enrollment: 30,566 Founded: 1969 Joined League: 1998 UMKC Nickname: Kangaroos Location: Kansas City, Mo. Enrollment: 14,221 Founded: 1933 Joined League: 1994 NEBRASKA OMAHA Nickname: Mavericks Location: Omaha, Neb. Enrollment: 15,448 Founded: 1908 Joined League: 2011 NORTH DAKOTA STATE Nickname: Bison Location: Fargo, N.D. Enrollment: 14,407 Founded: 1890 Joined League: 2007 OAKLAND Nickname: Golden Grizzlies Location: Rochester, Mich. Enrollment: 19,053 Founded: 1957 Joined League: 1997 ORAL ROBERTS Nickname: Golden Eagles Location: Tulsa, Okla. Enrollment: 3,140 Founded: 1963 Joined League: 1997 SOUTH DAKOTA Nickname: Coyotes Location: Vermillion, S.D. Enrollment: 9,617 Founded: 1862 Joined League: 2011 SOUTH DAKOTA STATE Nickname: Jackrabbits Location: Brookings, S.D. Enrollment: 12,816 Founded: 1881 Joined League: 2007 SOUTHERN UTAH Nickname: Thunderbirds Location: Cedar City, Utah Enrollment: 8,066 Founded: 1897 Joined League: 1997 WESTERN ILLINOIS Nickname: Fighting Leathernecks Location: Macomb, Ill. Enrollment: 13,331 Founded: 1899 Joined League: 1982 (charter member) ASSOCIATE MEMBER: Eastern Illinois University competes as an associate member in swimming and diving and men’s soccer.
SUMMIT LEAGUE NOTABLES The Summit League has produced the following notable studentathletes during its 30 seasons at the Division I level ... Brian Anderson (Baseball): No. 3 pick in1993 Draft, World Series Champion Andretti Bain (Track & Field): 2-time NCAA Champion, Olympic Silver Medalist Tony Bennett (Basketball): NBA Draft pick, head coach at Virginia Liza Brown (Softball): 1st Team All-American, 2-time All-America selection Bryce Drew (Basketball): NBA Draft 1st Round pick, head coach at Valparaiso Kevin Duckworth: 2-time NBA All-Star, NBA Most Improved Player Award George Hill (Basketball): NBA Draft 1st Round pick Jim Maton (Track & Field): NCAA Champion Bill Mueller (Baseball): World Series and American League batting champion Prince Mumba (Track & Field): 2-time NCAA runner-up, Olympian Chen Ni (Swimming & Diving): NCAA Champion Anita Rapp (Soccer): 1st Team All-American, Olympic Gold Medalist Tony Sanneh (Soccer): 2nd Team All-American, U.S. National Team Dan Steele (Track & Field): NCAA Champion, Olympic Bronze Medalist (bobsled)
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