Iowa Wesleyan Departing the SLIAC
The St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) announced that Iowa Wesleyan University will be departing the league following the completion of the 2020-2021 academic year.
Iowa Wesleyan University interim President Christine Plunkett stated, "In considering the changing landscape of higher education and the needs of our current and future student-athletes, Iowa Wesleyan intends to apply for membership within the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)."
Iowa Wesleyan joined the SLIAC in 2013 in conjunction with their transition to NCAA Division III.
SLIAC Commissioner Dick Kaiser said, "The SLIAC is obviously disappointed that Iowa Wesleyan has chosen to leave the conference for a different affiliation. The Tigers had made significant headway in a variety of SLIAC sports during the past few years. These are very trying times in intercollegiate athletics today and I am sure it was a difficult decision for the Iowa Wesleyan administration. As a conference, we want to wish them well and hope their next opportunities fit their specific needs."
The SLIAC will move to an eight-member league, beginning in the 2021-22 academic year. The SLIAC is an NCAA Division III conference that sponsors 17 collegiate championships. Formed in 1989, SLIAC member institutions include Blackburn College, Eureka College, Fontbonne University, Greenville University, Principia College, Spalding University, Webster University, and Westminster College.
"The St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference has obviously experienced first-hand the struggles of many institutions of higher education during the past twelve months. The combination of the never-ending recruitment battle for steady or increased enrollment, the shut-down of spring - 2020 sports, and then the closing of campuses to only virtual learning has been extremely stressful for all the SLIAC members. Our eight core schools of the SLIAC have shown resiliency to not only survive through tough times but to continue to seek new ways to grow and get stronger. All of our institutions within the SLIAC have a long and rich tradition of overcoming adversity and I do not anticipate any difference during this unique time in the continuing evolution of higher education," said Kaiser.
"I feel the future for the SLIAC is going to be bright as the conference will continue to support its members in all facets in order to provide the best possible student-athlete experience," said Kaiser. "Part of the long-range Strategic Plan of the conference has already been to seek additional full-time and affiliate members to fortify the overall numbers of institutions and specific sports within the conference; that is not going to change. The SLIAC has a proud tradition and there is no doubt the conference will continue to flourish as a great educational and athletic opportunity for prospective students."
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