Berry Considers Change from NAIA to NCAA

By Jimmy Story, COM 301
Edited and posted by David Reeves, COM 303

Berry College and its athletic programs are considering a possible change of membership into the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Discussion of the change was initiated in the fall of 2002, when the Berry College Board of Trustees created a committee whose purpose was to examine any benefits and drawbacks the move might yield. The plans were soon halted, though, to better assess the situation upon approval and construction of the Stephen J. Cage Center, Berry College’s new athletic and recreation complex.

In the spring of 2007, with the opening of the Cage Center less than a year away, the committee met to once again examine if a move into the NCAA would be beneficial to Berry College as a whole. The committee’s findings were sent to the Berry College Board of Trustees in February 2008.

“The committee could not come to a decision, so they could not give a recommendation,” said Berry’s Cross Country coach Paul Deaton.

“I have always been associated with the NAIA and see the merit in our association with them, but also understand that the NCAA would offer us some new opportunities and challenges,” said Berry College’s director of athletics Todd Brooks.

Students and staff alike are also examining all possibilities. Dean of Students Debbie Heida said it will take time to most effectively decide on a result that will provide for even greater success for Berry College athletics.

“We are right now in the beginning of a process. Now, we must figure out in which direction we want to go,” Heida said.

The Board of Trustees turned over the recommendation process to Berry College President Stephen Briggs after the committee failed to give a recommendation. Briggs will give a final proposal to the Berry College Board of Trustees in May, wrapping up an exploratory year to decide the future of Berry College athletics with any decision taking place as early as June.