Athletics Return to the University of Northwestern Ohio

On May 18, 2006, at the request of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Jeff Jarvis announced that athletics will return to the University of Northwestern Ohio.

It has been almost 22 years since men's and women's basketball were eliminated under the former administration of the university.

Dr. Jarvis states, "When we announced our new 10-year development plan in 2002, bringing back athletics was part of that plan. With our record student body growth and the expansion of our facilities, campus property and academic programs, it is a natural fit to include athletics as a part of our present and future University of Northwestern Ohio."

Currently, the University is evaluating the possible national association and league with which it will be affiliated. Decisions will be made by Spring/Summer 2007 with competitive play to begin during the 2007/2008 basketball seasons.

UNOH will field teams in men's and women's basketball, men's and women's golf and men's and women's tennis. Future sports to be added include women's volleyball men's and women's soccer, men's baseball, women's softball and the first High Performance/Motorsports team in the country.

Athletic fields and courts are planned for construction on the additional campus land (120 acres) acquired by the University off Hartzler and Eastown Roads.

Currently, a renovation and construction project is going on at the University to completely renovate the gymnasium with a new wood floor, bleachers and scoreboard, four new locker rooms, coaches offices and a training room. New construction of a cardiovascular and weight room facility with yoga, pilates and karate room will provide quality physical fitness areas for students, student athletes, employees and alumni of UNOH.

Mr. Chris Adams has been hired as Athletic Director and Men's Basketball Coach to assist President Jarvis with the necessary due diligence to start the athletic programs. Interviews for the other coaching positions are underway.

It is very important to let you know that any sports or athletic team at UNOH will be student-athlete based. Academics will be first and foremost for any team member and it will be continually monitored. Character, sportsmanship, pride, community and leadership will also be a major part of any involvement with the UNOH sports programs.

We hope you are as excited as we are about the future of the University and our athletic teams!