GAC Member Institutions
GAC Staff Directory
GAC Mission Statement
GAC All-Sports Trophy
GAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
GAC Sports Network
GAC Corporate Partners
ABOUT THE GREAT AMERICAN CONFERENCE
The NCAA announced on March 9, 2011 that the Great American Conference was officially accepted as the 23rd NCAA Division II athletics conference.
However, the new league was a concept that had been informally discussed since the early 1990's. Below is the chronology of events that occurred leading up the forming of the Great American Conference.
Early 1990's-2009: Informal discussions take place regarding the creation of a NCAA Division II athletic conference to consist of Arkansas and Oklahoma institutions.
November, 2009: Representatives from East Central University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University and Southwestern Oklahoma State University meet to discuss forming a new conference.
March, 2010: Conference call takes place among the presidents from the nine eventual charter members.
April, 2010: In-person meeting takes place in Russellville, Ark. with the presidents from the nine eventual charter members.
May, 2010: Further meetings take place with the athletic directors from the eventual nine charter members.
July 13, 2010: The University of Arkansas at Monticello, Arkansas Tech University, East Central University, Harding University, Henderson State University, Ouachita Baptist University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Southern Arkansas University and Southwestern Oklahoma State University agree to form a new NCAA Division II athletic conference and schools notify the Gulf South Conference and Lone Star Conference of their intentions to leave those respective leagues.
October 18, 2010: Will Prewitt is named the conference's first commissioner.
November 23, 2010: The league's Council of Presidents selects the Great American Conference as the official name of the organization.
March 9, 2011: The NCAA announces formally that the GAC will become the 23rd active member conference in the NCAA Division II.
May 10, 2011: Northwestern Oklahoma State University and Southern Nazarene University were extended provisional invitations to join the GAC by a 9-0 vote of the Council of Presidents. Each school will become full GAC members upon completing the transition from the NAIA to NCAA Division II.
July 11, 2011: Southern Nazarene University was accepted into the NCAA Division II Membership Process, and immediately began the first year of a three-year provisional membership.
September 1, 2011: The GAC begins active membership within the NCAA Division II ranks and plays the league's first on-field/court contests.
July 19, 2012: Northwestern Oklahoma State University accepted into the NCAA Division II Membership Process, and began the first year of a three-year provisional membership.
July 11, 2014: Southern Nazarene recommended for full NCAA Membership; gains full access to GAC and NCAA Championships.
July 11, 2014: Oklahoma Baptist accepted into the NCAA Division II Membership Process, and began the first year of a three-year provisional membership.
July 16, 2015: Northwestern Oklahoma State recommended for full NCAA Membership; gains full access to GAC and NCAA Championships.
January 25, 2016: Oklahoma Christian and Rogers State admitted to the GAC as affiliate members for Men's and Women's Track & Field.
July 14, 2017: Oklahoma State Baptist for full NCAA Membership; gains full access to GAC and NCAA Championships.
June 19, 2018: Fort Hays State, Newman, Northeastern State and Rogers State admitted to the GAC as affiliate members for Men's Soccer.