TUSCALOOSA---Five years into the administration of Stillman
College President Dr. Ernest McNealey the Tiger athletic program
has undergone numerous changes. Now the program makes another
change from NCAA Division III to Division II stadus.
In 1999 the football program was reinstated under the direction
of Head Coach Theophilus Danzy. Shortly after new athletic facilities
were constructed for football, baseball and softball.
Last summer Stillman requested the move from D-III affiliation
to Division II reclassification. In early September the NCAA
Division II Membership Committee accepted Stillman's request
for reclassification as a provisional D-II member.
The move was mainly prompted by the difficulty in scheduling
D-III opponents in football. In 2000 Stillman played only three
NCAA Division III football teams and none in 2001 or 2002. Stillman
has played a mainly D-II football schedule with NAIA D-I teams
included over the last two seasons.
Another reason for the move was the disadvantage the Tigers
had in facing D-II and NAIA programs that granted athletic scholarships
and a football spring practice.
The move allows Stillman to offer athletic scholarships in
all sports that are sponsored by the college as well as have
a spring training for football.
On October 30 an NCAA Educational Assessment team will come
to Stillman to orientate college officials on Division II rules
and regulations to prepare Stillman for active D-II membership.
The educational assessment program for Division II requires
provisional members to complete certain educational activities
in order to be accepted as active members.
Each year, provisional members will submit an annual report
summarizing their progress in fulfilling the requirements. At
the conclusion of the educational assessment program, the provisional
member would need to be elected for active membership, and the
Presidents Council upon the recommendation of the Membership
Committee and Management Council would decide whether to grant
the active status.
Currently, Stillman currently is in compliance with just about
all D-II rules and regulations. The Tiger athletic program sponsors
more than the Div. II minimum eight sports (four men sports
and four women sports). Stillman sponsors 12 sports: football,
volleyball, baseball, softball and men and women's basketball,
cross country, tennis and track and field. Stillman will begin
offering athletic scholarships sometime next semester.
During the reclassification period Stillman will search for
a conference to join. Also, on the horizon for the Tigers are
a new gymnasium, tennis courts and a completed outdoor track
surface.
