Point Park University's Student-Run Newspaper

Point Park Globe

Point Park University's Student-Run Newspaper

Point Park Globe

Point Park University's Student-Run Newspaper

Point Park Globe

AMC conference may lose value

 Point Park University has been a long-time member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), but a possible change to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) could alter this. Even though these rumors have been swirling around for over a year, the speculation for the move seems to have increased as of late.The possible relocation can be attributed to numerous schools in the American Mideast Conference applying to join the NCAA Division II. A handful of teams have been accepted, and the possibility that there would be just a few teams left in the AMC sparks Point Park’s interest in joining the association.”The big question is can the AMC be valued when [these schools] leave,” Kevin Taylor, director of athletic communications, said. “It’s Point Park’s best interest to be aware of the situation and to act from there.”Point Park has been a part of the AMC since 1999, and nearly 300 schools associate themselves with the conference.  The conference should stay alive a few more years, though, since the NCAA requires all schools to wait three years after being accepted until they can join. But after that grace period, it is unclear of what might happen to the league since five of the 12 teams, not including the Pioneers, could be moving out.If the shift were to happen, one major factor that would arise would be the increased emphasis on the sports world and the additional level of difficulty from the competition. Currently, Point Park meets all the requirements that the NCAA places on its applicants, and their acceptance would be anticipated. Despite not being a part of the NCAA, some sports teams, including men’s basketball and women’s softball, have participated in tournaments and games with Division II members, so a change in league would most likely not be upsetting. The fact that in the last few years, several Pioneer teams have dominated in the AMC, such as the 06-07 men’s basketball championship team and last year’s women’s volleyball team that posted a 32-8 record, some wonder if the change would help the school gain more notoriety or hinder them by making them play teams they are not are as familiar with.”I think it would be better for the school,” said sophomore all-conference basketball player T.J. Heatherington. We have everything that we need [to join].”However, there are some people that believe the change would not be good for the school, and that the new conference could hurt the teams, especially since the rules for transfer students are far stricter in the NCAA and scholarship restrictions could hinder their chances of competing. There are other reasons why the school may or may not switch, but this has been a hot-button topic for teams.”We do really well against [Division II] schools right now,” said sophomore pitcher Abbie Heigel. “But if we lose some scholarships and players, we may not be able to compete.”Overall, rumors about the change have been going on for months now, and a change may or may not be on the way. Whichever way the school decides to take their sports teams, Point Park athletics will be going through a change in the next couple of years.”I can’t say I know what’s going to happen,” Taylor said. “Only time will tell.”

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