CSUSM steps up to NCAA Division II

California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) has learned it has successfully completed its transition to NCAA Division II membership. In other CSUSM news, below, the school hosts its Summer Scholars Showcase on Aug. 9.

CSUSM President Karen Haynes and Director of Athletics Jennifer Milo received the call from the NCAA membership committee notifying them that the university now is a full-fledged Division II member.

While CSUSM has been competing at the Division II level during the past two years of transition, being a full member means the University’s teams are eligible for postseason play beginning with the 2017-18 academic year.

Schools aren’t eligible for the postseason during the transition process. For the 2016-17 academic year, 10 of CSUSM’s 13 teams would have qualified for the postseason had they been eligible.

“This move benefits our athletics program on multiple levels,” Haynes said. “During the transition to Division II, we have been establishing exciting rivalries with regional universities, our student-athletes have been able to spend more time in the classroom thanks to reduced travel time, and our University is better aligned athletically with schools of similar size and stature.

“This is another great day for the University and our athletics program,” Haynes added.

CSUSM’s athletic department was established in 1998, beginning with men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s cross country and men’s and women’s track and field. The University added baseball, softball and men’s and women’s soccer in 2006. Men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball were added in 2010.

“I attribute this campus milestone to the amazing CSUSM community that has come together as a true team to make today’s NCAA Division membership a reality,” Milo said. “I am so proud of this institution, our athletics administration, our support staff, our coaches, and the CSUSM student-athletes.

Milo added: “While the transition was grueling at times, we continued to persevere knowing that any obstacles would just make us stronger. And here we are… we celebrate today but tomorrow we get back to work knowing that our goal now is to prove we belong.”

CSUSM is a member of the California Collegiate Athletic Association, which includes 11 other California State University schools as well as UC San Diego.

The athletics department will host a public celebration for students, faculty, staff and the community at noon on Aug. 31 at The Sports Center to mark CSUSM’s milestone of completing the transition to NCAA Division II membership.

CSUSM scheduled to host Summer Scholar’s Showcase on Aug. 9

CSUSM summer scholars showcased in August/Courtesy

What: Summer Scholars Showcase, hosted by CSUSM’s College of Science and Mathematics

When: 9 a.m.-noon, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017

Where: University Student Union Ballroom on campus of Cal State San Marcos

Cost: Free

Parking: Free parking will be available in the University Parking Structure

Students in Cal State San Marcos’ Summer Scholars Program will present their work during the Summer Scholars Showcase from 9 a.m.-noon on Wednesday, Aug. 9 in the campus’ University Student Union Ballroom.

The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

CSUSM’s College of Science and Mathematics hosts the Summer Scholars Program each year to actively engage undergraduates in STEM research. Working closely with faculty mentors, students gain hands-on experience in highly interdisciplinary projects and learn to apply new instrumental techniques and analytical methods.

“The Summer Scholars Program helps students determine which career path might be appropriate for them and it opens their eyes to a world of careers out there that they didn’t know existed,” said Julie Jameson, an associate professor of biology at CSUSM who co-directs the program with fellow biology professor Betsy Read.

The 10-week program concludes each year with the Summer Scholars Showcase where participants share with the community the methods, results and interpretation of the work they have done over the summer.

Funding for the Summer Scholars Program was provided by The San Diego Foundation, ViaSat, CalFire and Genentech.