John Carroll University, a regional rival for Wittenberg University’s NCAA Division III intercollegiate athletics teams for many years, has accepted the unanimous invitation to join the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC). The Blue Streaks will begin NCAC competition in the 2025-26 school year.
“We are fortunate to welcome a strong new member to the NCAC,” said Wittenberg University President Michael L. Frandsen, Ph.D., who also serves as vice president of the NCAC. “John Carroll brings tradition and achievement in athletic and academic pursuits that will add to the success of our conference in developing student-athletes for life.”
The expansion brings the core NCAC membership to 10 NCAA Division III institutions as John Carroll, located in University Heights, Ohio, joins Denison University (Granville, Ohio), DePauw University (Greencastle, Indiana), Hiram College (Hiram, Ohio), Kenyon College (Gambier, Ohio), Oberlin College (Oberlin, Ohio), Ohio Wesleyan University (Delaware, Ohio), Wabash College (Crawfordsville, Indiana), the College of Wooster (Wooster, Ohio), and Wittenberg University. In addition, four schools are affiliate members of the NCAC in order to compete in field hockey: Allegheny College (Meadville, Pennsylvania), Earlham College (Richmond, Indiana), Transylvania University (Lexington, Kentucky), and Washington & Jefferson College (Washington, Pennsylvania).
The NCAC was founded in 1983 based upon the principles of a strong commitment to equality, a firm belief in a broad-based athletics program as part of an institutions’ greater academic mission, and a reliance on mutual trust and presidential leadership. The conference now sponsors 23 championship sports, 11 for men and 12 for women.
Wittenberg joined the NCAC prior to the 1988-89 school year after decades as a member of the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC). Since joining the NCAC, Tiger teams have enjoyed tremendous success, winning more than 100 team titles across almost every sport the University sponsors, and Wittenberg teams have routinely advanced beyond conference play to compete in NCAA Division III Tournaments.
John Carroll was a member of the OAC from 1932-49 and was a founding member of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) before returning to the OAC in 1989.
“The North Coast Athletic Conference has an outstanding tradition of excellence and reputation across the country as a leader in NCAA Division III athletics,” said Wittenberg University Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation Brian Agler. “The addition of John Carroll will only enhance that reputation, and we look forward to competing with the University’s teams for many years to come.”
