KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The MIAA has been informed by Lindenwood University it has accepted an invitation to join the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) effective July 1, 2019. Lindenwood became an MIAA member in 2012 when the association expanded.

Founded in 1827, Lindenwood is a private, four-year university with over 4,000 undergraduate students on its campus in St. Charles, Mo. The Lions reside within 15 to 60 minutes of three GLVC member institutions (University of Missouri-St. Louis, Maryville University and McKendree University), three hours of eight conference campuses, and 300 miles of all league schools.

"We wish Lindenwood great success in the GLVC. While the timing of their departure is not ideal, we have committees and task forces looking at options for our 2019 sport schedules. Those issues will be resolved quickly and we will continue to build on our reputation as one of the most successful conferences in NCAA Division II." stated MIAA Commissioner Mike Racy.

The GLVC began evaluating Lindenwood as a prospective member upon receipt of a letter of interest from the University in December 2017.  This past May, Lindenwood conducted its formal presentation to the league membership.  During this same meeting, the GLVC admitted Southwest Baptist University (Bolivar, Mo.) as its 15th member, with the Bearcats set to begin competition under the GLVC banner in 2019-20. 

Since being founded in 1912, the MIAA has a rich tradition of success with 42 team National Championships, over 300 individual NCAA National Championships and hundreds of student-athletes recognized as Academic All-Americans in their respective sports. The MIAA competes in NCAA Division II and has member institutions based throughout Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma.