Mayville State University, located in Mayville, N.D., is among three institutions officially entering the exploratory phase of NCAA Division III membership. The NCAA typically requires an exploratory year before embarking on the traditional three-year provisional path toward becoming a full Division III member.
Joining Mayville St., which currently plays in the NAIA’s North Star Athletic Association, in this latest crop of DIII exploratory schools are Regent (Va.) and Johnson & Wales (N.C.).
Mayville St. would become the lone Division III member located in North Dakota and presumably compete in Region IX. Courting an offer from the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference appears to be the likeliest of options should Mayville St. continue through the process of transitioning from the NAIA to DIII. Starting in 2024-25, institutions wishing to join Division III are required to have an invitation from an active multisport conference in order to move on to the provisional stages.
Not all institutions proceed past the exploratory year. Bob Jones University (S.C.) is a recent example of a school forgoing the provisional process. However, most schools that move from exploratory ($1,000 NCAA fee) to provisional ($40,000 fee) matriculate to full members.
-Ricky Nelson
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