North Coast Athletic Conference
Ohio Wesleyan University is a charter member of the North Coast Athletic Conference, which began competition in the 1984-85 academic year. Other charter members are Allegheny College, Case Western Reserve University, Denison University, Kenyon College, Oberlin College and the College of Wooster. Wittenberg University joined the NCAC in 1988, Earlham College joined in 1988 and remains an affiliate member in field hockey, Hiram College and Wabash College joined in 1998, DePauw University joined in 2010, and John Carroll University joined in 2024 and begins competition in the 2025-26 academic year.
The NCAC’s 9 members believe academic and athletic excellence can co-exist, with no undue overemphasis on athletics. They also believe the principle of balance is important in athletic programs at the Division III level, with no “major” or “minor” sports in comparison with any other, but all equally worthwhile. Equity for both men’s and women’s sports is a founding and standard principle. The NCAC’s 23 championship sports includes 11 for men and 12 for women, the latter figure leading all Division III conferences in the country. When at least 5 Conference institutions sponsor a varsity sport, the NCAC conducts championship play and honors the champion.
During the NCAC’s 40 years of competition, the league has established itself as one of the most competitive in the nation. A total of 24 teams in 16 sports and individuals in 7 additional sports — all 23 sports in total — and 8 of the 9 member institutions were represented in national competition during the 2023-24 academic year. In addition, 189 student-athletes from around the league earned All-America and/or Academic All-America® honors. NCAC teams have won 72 NCAA Division III championships during the conference’s 40 years of competition.
