RICHARDSON, Texas --- Mississippi College will withdraw its membership in the American Southwest Conference on June 30, 2014 after learning it has been accepted to immediately begin the reclassification process to NCAA Division II, the ASC announced today
 
In September 2012, Mississippi College announced it would seek Division II membership and would withdraw from the ASC after the 2013-14 year if accepted. MC applied and was denied admittance to Division II Candidacy Year One in mid-July. The institution appealed that decision by the Division II Membership Committee in mid-August and was informed late Thursday that its appeal had been approved and it would enter the reclassification program immediately.

Mississippi College will remain a member of NCAA Division III and the American Southwest Conference in 2013-14 as it completes the first year of the Division II membership process.
 
"Mississippi College and its athletics staff and coaches have provided leadership in athletics administration and competition throughout its tenure in the American Southwest Conference," Amy Carlton, ASC commissioner, said. "I fully expect MC to continue to be a leader in the ASC as it completes its membership this year, and to take a strong leadership position in Division II and the Gulf South Conference in the future."
 
The immediate start of the Division II membership process will affect postseason opportunities for Mississippi College in 2013-14.
 
Per NCAA Division III Bylaw 20.6.9.1 as adopted in January 2013, a Division III member institution reclassifying to Division II is not eligible to participate in Division III championships or receive Division III grant and initiative funding once it begins the Division II reclassification process.

Under an approved Division III Championships Committee waiver requested by the American Southwest Conference in May 2013, contests against Mississippi College will count as in-region competition for all ASC and Division III institutions throughout 2013-14.
 
An ASC member institution that is ineligible for a Division III championship is ineligible to participate in the ASC Championship Tournament in sports where the league holds an automatic qualifier to the NCAA postseason. During 2013-14, Mississippi College teams in AQ sports will count toward regular-season standings, but will not be able to compete in the ASC Championship Tournament and play for the conference title. Student-athletes remain eligible for academic, weekly and postseason awards in all sports.