Presentation College is optimistic about its future.
The Saints, currently an NCAA Division III Independent, have applied to join the NAIA. Presentation College had to submit its application by Oct. 1 and it will get a site visit from the NAIA in February.
The PC athletic department will watch a webinar in January to learn about the history of the NAIA and how the national athletic affiliation operates. PC will not know its NAIA fate until after the NAIA national convention on April 19-23 in Kansas City, Mo.
"We operate a strong department," Presentation College athletic director Brian Spielbauer said. "We've operated an athletic department under NCAA Division III rules. We know how to follow the rules. We know how to run a department, fund a department and we have got a good plan set for the future."
Spielbauer, who has experience at an NAIA institution, is "extremely optimistic" that the Saints will get accepted into the NAIA. He also pointed out that some schools that apply do not even get site visits.
"So even getting a site visit is a good sign," Spielbauer said. "We feel pretty good about it."
Spielbauer did not speculate about any conference affiliations if the Saints get accepted in the NAIA. Right now the main concern is just getting accepted. However, the Saints currently have scheduling arrangements with NAIA teams Mayville State, Valley City State, Dakota State and Jamestown College. PC and the other four colleges have scheduling arrangements for football, men's and women's basketball, volleyball, softball and baseball.
Soccer?
"Jamestown is the only team that has soccer," Spielbauer said, "so it is just basically you are on your own for soccer. Definitely an independent. Just to be determined whether NAIA or Division III."
If accepted, Presentation would be able to offer student-athletes scholarships. In Division III, there are no athletic scholarships. Spielbauer said that scholarships fluctuate from one NAIA college to the next.
"We are definitely talking to kids," said Spielbauer, who was the women's basketball coach at NAIA William Penn prior to coming to PC. "We are telling them we don't know for sure what is going to happen until April. We feel confident like it is going to happen. We are recruiting like we are heading in that direction and still being honest with the kids that we are talking about what is going on. We will not have a yes or no until after they do their site visit."
And the NAIA should be impressed on its site visit. The Saints' football team has a 110,000 square feet practice field. PC is currently building a new athletic training/wellness center and campus green near the Strode Center and the school is also building new suites.
"We feel like we are in a good spot right now and we are looking forward to the future," Spielbauer said.
PC Athletics Timeline
Dec. 5, 2012: Presentation College broke ground on new suites, athletic training/wellness center, and campus green in a ceremony near the Strode Activity Center. Construction on the new facilities is already under way and is scheduled to be completed in 2013.
Oct. 11, 2012: PC said it planned to leave National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III as an independent and has applied to rejoin the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics in the fall of 2013.
Fall 2012: PC restarted its men's soccer team; canceled its women's soccer season.
Feb. 1, 2012: PC said it is leaving Upper Midwest Athletic Conference to become NCAA Division III independent.
Fall 2011: UMAC council of athletic directors suspended the 2011 PC men's and women's soccer program in the fall due to low participation numbers.
2011: PC added football.
Fall 2008: The UMAC and its member schools began its NCAA Division III membership. PC dropped its NAIA status to become a NCAA DIII school.
2003: Cross country and baseball added.
2002: Golf and softball added.
Fall 2002: PC began membership in the UMAC.
2001: Soccer added.
1999: Volleyball added.
1998: $1.6 million Strode Activity Center dedicated.
Fall 1995: First PC sports, men's and women's basketball, started as a NAIA independent. The PC men lost first game, 101-68 to William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo., but won its first "home" doubleheader played at Northern State's Wachs Arena, 130-99 over York College of Nebraska led by Paul Rozell's 31 points. The PC women lost its first-ever game, 59-46, to York.
Summer 1995: PC hired first women's basketball coach, Chris Miskec.
1994: Mick Spaulding is hired as the school's first men's basketball coach and athletic director with a focus on starting the Saints' first athletic teams, men's and women's basketball in the fall of 1995.
1951: College relocated to Aberdeen.
1922: Presentation College began in Mitchell.