At a press conference held on Thursday, the University of Jamestown announced that it will be leaving the North Star Athletic Association to join the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) in the fall of 2018.
By joining the GPAC, one of the NAIA's top conferences, the Jimmies will compete with 11 private colleges and universities from South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska.
"This is a great day for the University of Jamestown, Jimmie Athletics and our student-athletes. This is an opportunity for us be associated with one of the best NAIA conferences in the country. We are very grateful to the GPAC Presidents and Athletic Directors," commented Sean Johnson, Director of Athletics for the University.
University of Jamestown President Dr. Robert Badal added, "In recent years, like many colleges and universities around the country, the University of Jamestown has faced change in athletic conference relationships. The demise of the DAC, a brief period as an independent, and a start up for a new North Star Conference have taken place quickly. We have now taken another step forward with a new conference alignment with the Great Plains Athletic Conference, and we are making that change for all of the right reasons for the future. We are thankful for our history and, at the same time, pleased to begin a new journey as a member of the GPAC Conference."
By moving to the GPAC, the Jimmies will compete with the following schools: Briar Cliff University, College of Saint Mary, Concordia University, Dakota Wesleyan University, Doane University, Dordt College, Hastings College, Midland University, Morningside College, Mount Marty College, and Northwestern College.
Established in 1883, the University of Jamestown is a private, liberal arts university. The Jamestown Jimmies compete in the NAIA in eight men's and eight women's sports including: baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, softball, track and field, volleyball and wrestling. Hockey, new to the University this year, competes in the American Collegiate Hockey Association.
