History of Conference Affiliations

Virginia Colleges & Universities Through The Years

 

 

A number of colleges and universities within the commonwealth of Virginia have changed the level at which their athletic programs participate, particularly during the past 15-20 years. Below is a list of the changes for most Virginia schools.

 

Apprentice School (Newport News Apprentice) - Has always been a non-NCAA member, competing with a combined college and junior college schedule.

 

Averett College - Has always been a member of Division III.

 

Bluefield College - A non-NCAA school, competes within the NAIA.

 

Bridgewater College - Has been a member of Division III since 1973-74. Previously competed in the College Division.

 

Clinch Valley College - A non-NCAA school, competes within the NAIA.

 

Christendon College - A non-NCAA school, competes as an independent.

 

Christopher Newport University - Began as a two-year school from 1967-69, joined NAIA in 1969, and joined Division III in 1973-74.

 

Eastern Mennonite University - Joined Division III in 1973-74. Previously competed in the College Division.

 

Emory & Henry College - Joined Division III in 1973-74. Previously competed in the College Division.

 

Ferrum College - Joined Division III in 1985-86. Previously a junior college.

 

George Mason University - Became a member of Division I in 1978-79. Previously competed in Division II and the College Division.

 

Hampden-Sydney College - Joined Division III in 1973-74. Previously competed in the College Division.

 

Hampton University - Has always been a member of either the NAIA or Division II until 1994-95. Became Division I in 1995-96.

 

James Madison University - Became a member of Division I in 1976-77. Previously competed in the College Division and Division II. Known as Madison College prior to 1977.

 

Liberty University - Began as a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association in 1972-73. Joined Division II in 1978-79. Joined the NAIA in 1980-81 and rejoined Division II in 1984-85. Joined Division I in 1988-89.

 

Longwood College - Became a member of Division II in 1980-81. Previously competed in Division III.

 

Lynchburg College - Joined Division III in 1973-74. Previously competed in the College Division.

 

Marymount University - Joined Division III in 1987-88.

 

Mary Washington College - Has been a member of Division III since 1978-79.

 

Norfolk State University - Has always been a member of Division II or the NAIA. Became a member of Division I in 1996-97.

 

Old Dominion University - Became a member of Division I in 1976-77. Previously competed in Division II and the College Division. Known as Norfolk William & Mary prior to 1962.

 

Radford University - Began as a member of the NAIA in 1977. Joined Division II in 1978-79 and joined Division I in 1984-85.

 

Randolph-Macon College - Joined Division III in 1989-90. Previously competed in Division II and the College Division.

 

Randolph-Macon Woman's College - Member of Division III.

 

University of Richmond - Has always been a member of Division I.

 

Roanoke College - Joined Division III in 1979-80. Previously had competed in Division II and the College Division.

 

St. Paul's College - Has always been a member of Division II or the NAIA.

 

Shenandoah University - Was a member of the NAIA from 1974-75 to 1983-84, and has been in Division III since.

 

University of Virginia - Has always been a member of Division I.

 

Virginia Commonwealth University - Became a member of Division I in 1972-73. Previously competed in the College Division. Known as Richmond Professional Institute prior to 1968.

 

Virginia Military Institute - Has always been a member of Division I.

 

Virginia State University - Has always been a member of Division II or the NAIA.

 

Virginia Tech - Has always been a member of Division I.

 

Virginia Union University - Has always been a member of Division II or the NAIA.

 

Virginia Wesleyan College - Joined Division III in 1973-74. Previously a member of the NAIA.

 

Washington & Lee University - Joined Division III in 1973-74. From 1958-74 competed as a member of the College Division. Prior to 1958 competed as a member of the University Division.

 

College of William & Mary - Has always been a member of Division I.

 

 

 

NOTE - Division III was formed by the NCAA for the 1973-74 season. Previously all schools were divided into University and College Divisions. The University Division was the equivalent of today’s Division I.