Nine Colleges To Leave WVIAC
Reported by: Associated Press
Web Producer: Bethany Simmons
Also Contributing: Rachel Tarr
Reported: Jun. 18, 2012 12:14 PM EDT
Updated: Jun. 18, 2012 1:24 PM EDT
Eyewitness News Photo
Charleston
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
WHEELING, W.Va. (AP) -- Nine members of the West Virginia Conference say they're leaving to form a new all-sports league.
The schools announced the move Monday. They expect to begin competing in the new league during the 2013-2014 academic year. Schedules for the 2012-2013 academic year will not be affected.
The schools are the University of Charleston, Concord, Fairmont State, Glenville State, Seton Hill, Shepherd, West Liberty, West Virginia State and West Virginia Wesleyan. They are the 15-member West Virginia Conference's members that sponsor football.
The new conference's operations and name haven't been determined. The schools say they plan to seek membership in NCAA Division II and ultimately expand the conference to 12 teams.
Required documentation for the new league will be submitted to the NCAA before Dec. 1.
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Big changes are on the way for several college athletic programs in West Virginia.
Nine colleges are leaving the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. They plan to form their own conference. Only six colleges will remain part of the WVIAC.
This move would end the annual WVIAC Basketball Championship, which is the nation's oldest continuous post-season tournament.
Stay tuned to Eyewitness News for more on this developing story.
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Associated Press
