The Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) is a collegiate athletic conference consisting of 10 private institutions in the Midwestern United States. It competes at the NCAA Division II level and offers 16 sports for men and 13 for women. The conference is most known for its storied basketball programs and historic rivalries. GPAC schools are among the oldest in the country and have historically been quite successful in their athletic pursuits.
History of the GPAC
The Great Plains Athletic Conference was founded in 1969 as the Great Plains College Conference. It had thirteen founding institutions located in Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, and Wyoming. The conference grew quickly in its early years, expanding to include schools in the neighboring states of Minnesota, Kansas, and Missouri. In 1978, the name of the conference was changed to the Great Plains Athletic Conference.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the GPAC added several more member institutions. This included the expansion to ten full members in 1988. Today, the GPAC consists of schools from six states within the Midwestern region of the United States. All ten of the current member institutions have been part of the GPAC for at least 25 years.
Member Institutions & Sports
The ten member institutions of the GPAC are: Briar Cliff University, Dordt University, Midland University, Mount Marty College, Morningside College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Bellevue University, College of Saint Mary, Dakota Wesleyan University, and Hastings College. The GPAC conference places an emphasis on sportsmanship and integrity among its member institutions.
The GPAC is a Division II conference and many of its member institutions believe in a “whole-player” approach to college athletics. This means the GPAC encourages its students to excel in the classroom, in the community, and on the playing field. GPAC schools compete in a wide variety of sports with the most popular being basketball, baseball, softball, and football.
- Men’s Basketball
- Women’s Basketball
- Baseball
- Softball
- Football
- Track & Field
- Golf
- Cross Country
- Tennis
- Soccer
- Swimming & Diving
- Volleyball
- Wrestling
- Rowing
Notable Achievements
The GPAC boasts some impressive accomplishments from its member institutions. Over the years, the conference has seen numerous NCAA Division II Championship Titles, All-American selections, and Hall of Fame inductees. Some of the conference’s most notable achievements include six GPAC teams appearing in the Division II Men’s Basketball Elite 8, four teams competing in the Division II Softball World Series, and 10 GPAC teams claiming Division II Football National Championships.
The GPAC also has several notable rivalries. The most popular and longest standing rivalry within the conference is between Hastings College and Midland University. The two schools are heated rivals in almost every sport, but especially in football and men’s and women’s basketball.
How The Conference Operates
The GPAC is governed by a Council of Presidents, which is made up of the presidents from each member institution. The council is responsible for making decisions about the conference’s operations, including scheduling, championships, and other matters. The council is also responsible for setting the conference’s policies and upholding its standards of sportsmanship.
The GPAC plays a full slate of regular season games in most sports, with some variations from school to school. All sports culminate in the conference tournament, which is held every year. The conference tournament is a single-elimination tournament that determines the GPAC champion in each sport. The top teams in the tournament advance to the NCAA Division II Championships.
Overview of the Role of the Conference
The GPAC plays an important role in college sports. It serves as a platform for the member institutions to showcase their athletic ability on a national stage. The conference also provides opportunities for the athletes to develop their skills and prepare for a future in college and/or professional sports. Through the GPAC, student-athletes receive an education and training that prepares them for success in life after baseball.
The GPAC also has an impact on the local and national sports scene. GPAC schools are committed to providing a fun and competitive atmosphere for their fans and alumni. As home to some of the top teams in the Midwest, the GPAC also plays a role in elevating the region’s reputation as a national sports powerhouse.
The Future of the Great Plains Athletic Conference
The success of the GPAC has been on the rise in recent years. Several of the member institutions have seen great success in both conference play and in NCAA Division II Championships. This is due in large part to the commitment to excellence from the conference’s member institutions. As the conference continues to grow and develop, there is much to be excited about for the GPAC’s future.
The GPAC looks to continue its trend of success in the coming years. The conference is committed to providing the highest level of competition and offering its teams and fans a premier college sports experience. As the GPAC continues to grow and expand, there is no doubt that it will remain a major player in the world of collegiate sports.