HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. –Northern Kentucky University President Geoffrey S. Mearns announced today that NKU will join the Horizon League effective July 1, 2015.

The Norse will become the 10^th member of the league, joining Cleveland State University, University of Detroit Mercy, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Oakland University, Valparaiso University, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Wright State University and Youngstown State University.

"This is an exciting day for Northern Kentucky University," said President Mearns. "I am proud to announce that we will become a member of the Horizon League beginning with the 2015-16 season.

"We made the move to Division I in order to align with similar aspirational institutions. The Horizon League member schools are located in areas that are ideal for student recruitment., In fact, seven of the nine schools are located within 300 miles of NKU's main campus. The future of Norse athletics is bright, and the Horizon League is an excellent fit," he said.

President Mearns also said the move will significantly reduce travel costs and will allow the university to engage with more alumni, with more than 14,000 NKU graduates living in the states covered by the League's footprint.

NKU Director of Athletics Ken Bothof said the move also advances the university's athletics mission of supporting student-athlete well-being; engaging the university and local community; and establishing relationships with alumni, friends, and fans.

"We are able to achieve each of these ideals in the Horizon League," Mr. Bothof said. "As part of the Horizon League, we will reduce the amount of travel for our student-athletes, allowing them to spend more time in the classroom. The closer proximity also provides our fans with more opportunities to travel to see their Norse in action. Plus, the League's television deal with ESPN delivers great visibility for NKU athletics."

The Horizon League sponsors 19 sports, including all 17 in which NKU competes. A rich tradition of success in NCAA championships also exists within the conference, including a 19-16 record and two national title game appearances in the men's basketball tournament over the last 13 years. Green Bay's women's basketball team reached the Sweet 16 in 2011 and advanced to the second round a year later. Success has also come in men's soccer, women's soccer, softball and track & field.

"Northern Kentucky University's mission, vision and values align with the Horizon League," said Commissioner Jonathan B. LeCrone. "We look forward to working with President Geoffrey Mearns, Director of Athletics Ken Bothof and his staff on behalf of NKU's student-athletes. The Horizon League is adding a well-respected, growing athletics program and an aspiration university."

What They are Saying
John Jose, Student Regent/President of the Student Government Association
"It's a great day to be an NKU student. Students will be very excited to be a part of the Horizon League.

"I've been a student leader here at NKU for more than four years, and I've been able to experience the excitement of moving to Division I. Joining the Horizon League will build upon that excitement by creating new rivalries that the student body will embrace.

"I expect to see more students than ever at our home games next year. And it'll be great to see the University organizing bus trips to road games. The Norse Force has been hungry for this kind of opportunity, and the geographic fit of the Horizon League will make it a reality. There's an uprising in Norse Nation. Be ready for us!"

Dr. Mary Kirk, Faculty Athletics Representative
"The move to the Horizon League is advantageous to NKU and our student-athletes in many ways. Since the Horizon League is centered in the Midwest, our travel expenses and time will decrease. We will be in a conference with other similar metropolitan institutions much like NKU. And most importantly, the move will benefit our student-athletes academically, as they will be on the road for less time, they will miss fewer classes and have less interrupted study time!"

Stephen A. Meier, Staff Regent
"During my playing days here, NKU was an independent Division II school with no conference affiliation at all. I was here during our move to the NAIA and our return to Division II in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. I watched the GLVC grow into one of the nation's top Division II leagues, and I was here for the historic move to Division I.

"During my many years of service on the Athletic Council, I can tell you that the Horizon League was always thought to be the ideal fit for NKU. This is where Northern Kentucky needs to be, joining and competing against a group of institutions that are well known within our region."

Frank Birkenhauer, Alumni Board of Directors
"This is a great move for Northern Kentucky University and its more than 50,000 alumni. As a member of the Horizon League, we'll build strong rivalries with schools within just a few hours of campus. We'll be able to support the Norse on a whole new level. And the move will also increase exposure and visibility for the school, which is much deserved."

Joint statement by Dr. Jim Thomas (Psychological Science), Dr. David Agard (Mathematics and Statistics), and Dr. Kristi Haik (Biological Sciences), the Executive Committee of the NKU Athletic Council
"One of the many advantages to joining the Horizon League is that the reduced travel time will result in many fewer missed classes for team members., This should help our student-athletes to continue their already impressive academic performance."

John Brannen, Head Men's Basketball Coach
"The Horizon League is an outstanding basketball conference with tremendous coaches and proven winning programs.,I think this provides us an opportunity to continue to grow the brand of NKU basketball. ,The Horizon League will also provide NKU with added national TV exposure and a stronger geographic footprint that always helps in recruiting and developing rivalries."

Dawn Plitzuweit, Head Women's Basketball Coach
"From firsthand experience, I can tell you that the Horizon League is a tremendous conference. ,In our Women's Basketball Program at NKU, we strive to improve on a daily basis in the classroom and on the court, and that mission will remain the same as a member of the Horizon League. ,We are excited about the close proximity of the other Horizon League universities, which should allow more of our players' families and our fans to travel to more of our games."

Liz Hart, Women's Volleyball Head Coach
"I'm really excited about what this means for the University and our program., This is another step on our Division I journey, which is building on the successes of all the student-athletes and coaches that have come through the program.

"It's been amazing to be a part of all of the changes.,As a former player at NKU, and now a coach, I'm so proud of all that NKU has accomplished to this point, and joining a conference like the Horizon League is going to present some new and exciting challenges.,I know our student-athletes and coaches will be ready to meet them head-on.

"The coaches and I have a lot of work to do learning new schools, their systems and their players, but we welcome that challenge. We are striving to reach the level of the top schools in the Horizon League and to prove that we can compete at that level.,I just can't wait to get in the gym this fall, and start preparing."

Jalen Billups (Cincinnati, Ohio/Schroder), Men's Basketball Player
"I can't wait to play my senior year in the Horizon League. Our program has come a long way since my freshman year. Playing in the Horizon League will be a new challenge, but we'll be ready."

Kelley Wiegman (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mother of Mercy), Women's Basketball Player
"This is exciting news! Our program has a great tradition of success in women's basketball and I'm excited to see how we compare to the Horizon League. There are some really good teams in the conference, but I know our coaches and the rest of the players will work hard to be prepared."

About the Horizon League
Comprised of 10 public and private institutions of higher learning, the Horizon League is an NCAA Division I athletics conference that sponsors 19 intercollegiate championship sports and is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The League and its member institutions aspire to teach young people, through athletic competition, the value of learning, service to others and personal responsibility.