Cheyney University opts to exit NCAA

The Pennsylvania State Athlet ics Conference (PSAC) was made aware of the decision by Cheyney University to exit the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) upon conclusion of the 2017-18 academic year on Tuesday. PSAC membership requires that all members be in good standing with the NCAA.

PSAC officials have been in communication and consultation with Cheyney University President Aaron Walton and his staff throughout this deliberative process for the institution. The announcement of full withdrawal from the NCAA and PSAC was inevitable given the financial requirements of membership in the NCAA.

“It is a sad loss for our entire PSAC family to have a charter member leave our membership,” noted PSAC Commissioner Steve Murray. “These are difficult financial times in higher education throughout our nation and particularly in the Commonwealth, and very difficult decisions have to be made at every level.

“Cheyney has been a great member of our conference and we wish their administration, coaches, student-athletes and alumni well,” Murray continued. “They remain the only member institution to win an NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Championship (1978) and they have proudly supported our conference throughout these many decades of membership”.

The PSAC Board of Directors will take formal action on the announcement from Cheyney during its annual meeting in May.

The PSAC will review its membership options for the future, with every intention to return to 18 full-time members.