Division II independent teams play in college sports without being formally part of a conference, offering a unique approach to athletics in NCAA Division II. This article introduces the history, significance, and operations of Division II independents, delves into member institutions, sports, achievements, and rivalries, and looks at the impact these institutions have on the sports scene.

Introduction to Division II Independents

Division II independent teams are institutions that do not formally belong to an NCAA Division II conference. Instead, these teams are unaffiliated with a conference and create their own independent athletic program. This allows for a unique approach to athletics, allowing the schools the flexibility to pursue specialties outside of traditional conference affiliation.

The Division II independent teams have grown steadily in recent years, as more schools choose to pursue independent scheduling and championship events. In 2020, there were nine Division II independent teams and nine member institutions, with three states represented.

Overview of Member Institutions

The nine member institutions that make up the Division II independents are as follows:

• California Maritime Academy
• Central State University (Ohio)
• Kentucky Christian University
• Missouri Southern State University
• New Jersey City University
• OklahomaPanhandle State University
• Southern University (Louisiana)
• University of the District of Columbia
• University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Sports They Compete In

The Division II independents compete in six sports, some of which are offered by individual teams:

• Baseball
• Basketball (men’s and women’s)
• Cross Country (men’s and women’s)
• Golf (men’s and women’s)
• Soccer (men’s and women’s)
• Softball
• Track and Field (men’s and women’s)
• Volleyball (women’s)

Notable Achievements, Rivalries

The Division II independents have enjoyed success over the years, highlighted by individual and team achievements. Notable individuals include Will Jones, the first ever Division II independent, who won the gold medal at the 1987 Pan American Games, and Danielle Dowdy, the first Division II independent softball player to be inducted into the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Hall of Fame.

Among the notable team achievements are the Central State University Marauders’ long-standing success in the tournament scene, as they have won the NAIA Division II Independent Tournament numerous times. In addition, the University of Massachusetts-Lowell was the first NCAA-sanctioned Division II independent to compete in the NCAA Baseball Championship Tournament. Other notable rivalries include the annual UDC Throwdown—a basketball rivalry between the University of the District of Columbia and the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils

Operation of the Conference

The Division II Independent conference is managed by the Division II Independents Governance Committee, which is responsible for the scheduling of games, championship events, and other operations within the conference.

The members of the Division II Independents Governance Committee are comprised of representatives from each team, and their primary responsibilities are to ensure that the teams maintain their independence while managing their programs effectively and collaboratively. This includes setting rules and regulations, developing conference schedules, and organizing championship events.

Impact of the Conference

The Division II independents have had a significant impact on athletics at the local, state, and national levels. By providing an alternative to traditional conference competition, these schools have increased opportunities for student-athletes and allowed programs to specialize in areas that may not be available in a traditional conference structure. This has allowed for a diversity of offerings and an increased level of competitive play.

In addition to student-athletes, the Division II independents have had an impact on local communities, offering unique opportunities to watch, attend, and follow their teams. Moreover, by allowing teams to operate independently, there is more freedom to develop games against top-tier programs, allowing fans the opportunity to experience the highest level of NCAA Division II athletics.

Future Prospects

While the future of sports is uncertain due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the Division II independent teams are currently in a strong and stable position. There is potential for more teams to become independent in the future, as schools look for more flexibility and specialization in their athletics programming.

One of the challenges the Division II independents face is maintaining their level of competitiveness against larger conferences. With the potential for more teams joining the ranks of the independents, this could create a more balanced playing field and create more opportunities for competitive play.

The Division II independents have shown that they can operate both independently and collaboratively, and this will be the key to their success in the coming years. As long as they continue to promote and develop competitive athletics opportunities, they will remain a fixture in NCAA Division II sports.

The future of the Division II independents is an exciting one, as more teams and their athletes take advantage of the opportunity to pursue individual and team aspirations through independent non-conference scheduling and championship events.