CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. (July 10, 2025) – The NCAA Division II Membership Committee has approved Thomas More University for full Division II membership, effective September 1, 2025.

“This is a historic accomplishment for Thomas More University and Saints Athletics. Over the past three years, the University has been working strategically to elevate its position as the premier regional Catholic university. As a member of the NCAA Division II and the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, Thomas More University accomplished an important strategic initiative today as we advance our regional position and continued excellence,” says Thomas More University President Joseph L. Chillo, LP.D.

Now, under full Division II membership, the Saints will be eligible for NCAA DII championship competition at the national level in the 2025-26 academic year.

To earn full member status, Saints Athletics completed three years of provisional Division II membership. In the 2023-24 academic year, the Saints began competition in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) and were eligible to compete for conference championships and tournaments. For a list of athletic accomplishments during that period of time, visit this page.

“At Thomas More, we aim to provide our student-athletes a meaningful and fulfilling collegiate experience – one that sets them up for success after graduation. These foundational values are critically important as the University continues to provide one of the highest ROI for its graduates in the region,” Vice President and Director of Athletics Terry Connor says.

Connor continues, “I am tremendously proud of my administrative team and coaching staff for their efforts throughout this transition. Now that we are able to compete at the national level, I am even more excited to cheer on our student-athletes this year and in the years ahead. I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish in DII – Go Saints!”

Over the past three years of transition to NCAA Division II, Thomas More has seen historic growth as an institution. The University has expanded its campus footprint, including the opening of a new, 34,000-square-foot academic center in 2024 and the acquisition of the Five Season Family Sports Club, home of the Saints tennis teams, in 2023. Athletic facilities have also been enhanced, including an upgraded, state-of-the-art softball complex which opened in 2024; replacement of turf and resurfacing of the surrounding track at Republic Bank Field, home of the football, soccer, lacrosse, rugby, track & field, and cross country teams; and a partnership announced in 2022 with the Florence Y’alls, which resulted in a new home field for Saints baseball and the renaming of the facility to Thomas More Stadium.

Thomas More’s Second Century Campaign: It’s Time for More recently surpassed $45 million – the University’s largest fundraising campaign to date, exceeding its initial goal of $30 million. The Second Century Campaign was launched to support the initiatives of the Strategic Plan: Lighting the Way, envisioning Thomas More as the premier Catholic university of the region.

“Over the past five years, the University has experienced tremendous growth, and our students and alumni continue to be successful in the classroom, on the field of competition, and most importantly, in life,” President Chillo says.

Prior to the 2023-24 academic year, the Saints competed in both NAIA and NCAA Division III across decades of intercollegiate competition. While competing in these athletic associations, the Saints earned championships both at the conference and national levels. For a comprehensive list of Saints Athletics’ accomplishments, please visit this page.

About Thomas More University

Founded in 1921, Thomas More University stands as a beacon of academic excellence and innovation, challenging students to Make It More. Deeply rooted in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, this timeless foundation supports a transformative educational experience as students looking to Be More are guided in the pursuit of knowledge, ethical leadership, and the integration of faith and reason. Through the high-quality, liberal arts education provided at Thomas More, students examine the ultimate meaning of life, their place in the world, and their responsibility to others which leads to the ability to think critically and contribute meaningfully to the world. Serving more than 2,300 students, Thomas More takes its place as the premier Catholic university in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region, being named one of the 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S. by the Wall Street Journal. For more, visit thomasmore.edu.

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Thomas More University Media Contact: Kristen Gallagher, director of communications & PR, 859-344-3309; [email protected]

Saints Athletics Media Contact: Macara Vonderahe, sports information director, 859-344-3398, [email protected]