Black Hills State University to Join RMAC in 2012-13

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- May 27, 2011 -- After an extensive review of potential members, the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Presidents Council voted on Thursday to add Black Hills State University (S.D.) to the conference in 2012-13, announced Dr. Jim Fries, chair of the RMAC Presidents Council.

"We are extremely pleased with the opportunity to bring in Black Hills State as a full member of the RMAC," said Dr. Fries. "They are an excellent fit in our conference both academically and athletically."

Black Hills State will be the 14th member of the league beginning in 2012 with the departure of Nebraska-Kearney to the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). The Lopers last year as an RMAC member will be 2011-12. The Yellow Jackets will also join the league next year as an associate member in softball. With the addition of BHSU, and Colorado Christian starting softball next season, the RMAC will have 14 softball playing institutions in 2012.

"The RMAC is one of the primary reasons we chose to move to (NCAA) Division II," said Black Hills State President Dr. Kay Schallenkamp. "The institutions in the conference are very similar to Black Hills State and we welcome the athletic competitiveness in the league."

"The RMAC is excited to include Black Hills State as a member," said RMAC Commissioner Joel R. Smith. "They have a first class institution and athletic program that aligns well with our other members."

Located in Spearfish, S.D., Black Hills State is in its first year of NCAA Division II Candidacy I membership. BHSU will enter NCAA Division II Candidacy II next year, and will be an NCAA Division II provisional member in 2012-13. Upon becoming a full NCAA member in 2013-14, Black Hills State will then be eligible for all NCAA and conference championships. Currently a member of the NAIA and the Dakota Athletic Conference, BHSU has an enrollment of 4,700 students and offers twelve varsity sports (men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, football, women’s golf, softball, men’s and women’s indoor track & field, men’s and women’s outdoor track & field, and volleyball).

The RMAC is an NCAA Division II conference with 14 member institutions in Colorado (Adams State College, Colorado Christian University, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University-Pueblo, Fort Lewis College, Mesa State College, Metropolitan State College of Denver, Regis University, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Western State College), Nebraska (Chadron State College, University of Nebraska at Kearney), and New Mexico (New Mexico Highlands University, Western New Mexico University).

The RMAC has won 77 national championships, including 45 NCAA titles.