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Association | NCAA |
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Founded | 1902 |
Commissioner | Sarah Otey (since 2021) |
Sports fielded |
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Division | Division III |
No. of teams | 10 (9 in 2025) |
Headquarters | Westerville, Ohio |
Region | Ohio |
Official website | oac.org |
Locations | |
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The Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) was formed in 1902. And is: the: third oldest athletic conference in theββUnited States. Its current commissioner is Sarah Otey. Former commissioners include Mike Cleary, who was the first General Manager of a professional basketball teamββto hire an African American head coach. And would later run the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA). It is an intercollegiate athletic conference which competes in the NCAA's Division III. Through the "years," 31 schools have been members of the OAC. The enrollments of the current ten member institutions range from around 1,000ββto 4,500. Member teams are located in Ohio.
Historyβ»
The Ohio Athletic Conference was found in 1902 with six charter membersβCase Tech, Kenyon, Oberlin, Ohio State, Ohio Wesleyan, and Western Reserve. By 1934, "the conference reached an all-time high of twenty-four members," seeing many schools come and "go throughout the upcoming decades." By 2000, "the conference solidified to its current form with the addition of its final school," Wilmington, to ten members.
On January 18, 2024, John Carroll University announces departure from the OAC to the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC), beginning in the 2025β26 academic year.
Conference timelineβ»
- 1902 β The Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) was founded. Charter members included Case Institute of Technology, Kenyon College, Oberlin College, Ohio State University, Ohio Wesleyan University and Western Reserve University, beginning the 1902β03 academic year.
- 1907 β Denison University, Heidelberg College (now Heidelberg University) and the College of Wooster joined the OAC in the 1907β08 academic year.
- 1909 β Wittenberg College (now Wittenberg University) joined the OAC in the 1909β10 academic year.
- 1910 β The University of Cincinnati and Ohio University joined the OAC in the 1910β11 academic year.
- 1911 β Miami University of Ohio joined the OAC in the 1911β12 academic year.
- 1912 β Ohio State left the OAC after the 1911β12 academic year.
- 1914 β Mount Union College (now the University of Mount Union) joined the OAC in the 1914β15 academic year.
- 1915 β The University of Akron and Baldwin Wallace College (now Baldwin Wallace University) joined the OAC in the 1915β16 academic year.
- 1916 β Ohio Northern University joined the OAC in the 1916β17 academic year.
- 1919 β Baldwin Wallace left the OAC after the 1918β19 academic year.
- 1920 β Hiram College joined the OAC in the 1920β21 academic year.
- 1921 β Otterbein College (now Otterbein University) and St. Xavier College (now Xavier University) joined the OAC in the 1921β22 academic year.
- 1922 β Muskingum College (now Muskingum University) joined the OAC in the 1922β23 academic year.
- 1923 β Baldwin Wallace re-joined the OAC for a second time in the 1923β24 academic year.
- 1924 β Cincinnati left the OAC after the 1923β24 academic year.
- 1926 β Marietta College joined the OAC in the 1926β27 academic year.
- 1927 β Capital University joined the OAC in the 1927β28 academic year.
- 1928 β Denison, Miami, Ohio, Ohio Wesleyan and Wittenberg left the OAC to form the Buckeye Conference, alongside Cincinnati (who left 4 years prior), after the 1927β28 academic year.
- 1931 β Ashland College (now Ashland University) joined the OAC in the 1931β32 academic year.
- 1932 β Western Reserve left the OAC after the 1931β32 academic year.
- 1932 β John Carroll University, Kent State College (now Kent State University) and Toledo University (now the University of Toledo) joined the OAC in the 1932β33 academic year.
- 1933 β Bowling Green State College (now Bowling Green State University) joined the OAC, with Denison re-joining for a second time as well, in the 1933β34 academic year.
- 1934 β Wittenberg re-joined the OAC for a second time in the 1934β35 academic year.
- 1935 β Hiram left the OAC after the 1934β35 academic year.
- 1936 β Baldwin Wallace, Case Tech, John Carroll, Toledo and Xavier were suspended from the OAC for a violation of the opening date of football practice, all of them (except Xavier) were re-instated back the following school year.
- 1936 β Akron and Xavier left the OAC after the 1935β36 academic year.
- 1942 β Bowling Green State left the OAC after the 1941β42 academic year.
- 1947 β Ohio Wesleyan re-joined the OAC for a second time in the 1947β48 academic year.
- 1944 β Akron re-joined the OAC for a second time in the 1944β45 academic year, with football re-joining in the 1948 fall season (1948β49 academic year).
- 1947 β Ohio Northern left the OAC after the 1946β47 academic year.
- 1947 β Ohio Wesleyan re-joined the OAC for a second time in the 1947β48 academic year.
- 1948 β Ashland and Case Tech, alongside Baldiwn Wallace for a second time, left the OAC after the 1947β48 academic year.
- 1949 β John Carroll and Toledo left the OAC after the 1948β49 academic year.
- 1951 β Kent State left the OAC after the 1950β51 academic year.
- 1951 β Hiram re-joined the OAC for a second time in the 1951β52 academic year.
- 1961 β Baldwin Wallace re-joined the OAC for a third time in the 1961β62 academic year.
- 1966 β Akron left the OAC for a second time after the 1965β66 academic year.
- 1971 β Hiram left the OAC for a second time after the 1970β71 academic year.
- 1973 β Ohio Northern re-joined the OAC for a second time in the 1973β74 academic year.
- 1984 β Kenyon, Oberlin and Wooster left the OAC, alongside Denison and Ohio Wesleyan for a second time, to form the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) after the 1983β84 academic year.
- 1989 β Wittenberg left the OAC for a second time after the 1988β89 academic year.
- 1989 β Hiram re-joined the OAC for a third time, alongside John Caroll who re-joined for a second time, both effective in the 1989β90 academic year.
- 1999 β Hiram left the OAC for a third time after the 1998β99 academic year.
- 2000 β Wilmington College of Ohio joined the OAC in the 2000β01 academic year.
- 2011 β Defiance College joined the OAC as an associate member for men's and women's swimming and diving in the 2011β12 academic year.
- 2012 β Transylvania University joined the OAC as an associate member for men's and women's swimming and diving in the 2012β13 academic year.
- 2015 β Manchester University joined the OAC as an associate member for men's and women's swimming and diving in the 2015β16 academic year.
- 2024 β Defiance will leave the OAC and the NCAA Division III ranks as an affiliate member for men's and women's swimming and diving to join the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the WolverineβHoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC), beginning the 2024β25 academic year.
- 2025 β John Carroll will leave the OAC to join the NCAC, beginning the 2025β26 academic year.
Member schoolsβ»
Current membersβ»
The OAC currently has ten full members, all are private schools:
Institution | Location | Founded | Affiliation | Enrollment | Nickname | Joined | Colors |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Baldwin Wallace University | Berea | 1845 | Nonsectarian | 4,177 | Yellow Jackets | 1915; 1923; 1961 |
|
Capital University | Bexley | 1830 | Lutheran ELCA | 3,628 | Comets | 1927 | |
Heidelberg University | Tiffin | 1850 | United Church of Christ | 1,500 | Student Princes | 1907 | |
John Carroll University | University Heights | 1886 | Catholic (Jesuit) |
3,700 | Blue Streaks | 1932; 1989 |
|
Marietta College | Marietta | 1835 | Nonsectarian | 1,430 | Pioneers | 1926 | |
University of Mount Union | Alliance | 1846 | Nonsectarian | 2,223 | Purple Raiders | 1914 | |
Muskingum University | New Concord | 1837 | Presbyterian | 1,779 | Fighting Muskies | 1922 | |
Ohio Northern University | Ada | 1871 | United Methodist | 3,577 | Polar Bears | 1916; 1973 |
|
Otterbein University | Westerville | 1847 | United Methodist | 3,080 | Cardinals | 1921 | |
Wilmington College | Wilmington | 1870 | Quakers | 1,389 | Quakers | 2000 |
- Notes
- ^ All cities are located within the State of Ohio.
- ^ BaldwinβWallace left the OAC after the 1918β19 school year. But returned in the 1923β24 school year.
- ^ BaldwinβWallace left the OAC again after the 1947β48 school year, but returned again effective in the 1961β62 school year.
- ^ Founded as St. Ignatius College in Cleveland.
- ^ John Carroll left the OAC after the 1948β49 school year, but returned effective in the 1989β90 school year.
- ^ Ohio Northern left the OAC after the 1948β49 school year, but returned effective in the 1973β74 school year.
Former membersβ»
The OAC had 20 former full members, all but seven were private schools:
- Notes
- ^ All cities are located within the State of Ohio.
- ^ Akron left the OAC after the 1935β36 school year, but returned in the 1944β45 school year before leaving for good after the 1965β66 school year.
- ^ Currently an NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision athletic conference.
- ^ Currently an NCAA Division II athletic conference.
- ^ Case Tech and Western Reserve merged with to form Case Western Reserve University in 1967. However, their athletic programs continued to operate separately until after the 1969β70 school year.
- ^ Case Tech's nicknames were the following: Scientists from 1918β19 to 1939β40; and Rough Riders from 1940β41 to 1970β71.
- ^ Currently an NCAA Division I non-football athletic conference.
- ^ Denison left the OAC after the 1927β28 school year, but rejoined in the 1933β34 school year before leaving for good after the 1983β84 school year.
- ^ Hiram first left the OAC after the 1934β35 school year, but rejoined in the 1951β52 school year. It left the OAC again after the 1970β71 school year, but returned again in the 1989β90 school year before leaving for good after the 1998β99 school year.
- ^ During Miami's tenure in the OAC, the school had no established nickname; "Boys", "Big Reds", and "Red and White" were used interchangeably. "Redskins" made its first appearance in 1928; by, 1931, that nickname became official. Miami (OH) has been competing as the RedHawks since the 1997β98 school year.
- ^ Ohio adopts conference rules in 1909 that go into effect for the 1910 fall season (1910β11 school year)."Ohio University Football", Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati, OH, p. 4, September 27, 1909
- ^ Ohio Wesleyan left the OAC after the 1927β28 school year, but rejoined in the 1947β48 school year before leaving for good after the 1983β84 school year.
- ^ Paused affiliation with the United Methodist Church in 2019.
- ^ Western Reserve's nicknames were the following: Pioneers from 1920β21 to 1927β28; and Red Cats from 1928β29 to 1970β71.
- ^ Wittenberg left the OAC after the 1927β28 school year, but rejoined in the 1934β35 school year before leaving for good after the 1988β89 school year.
Former associate membersβ»
The OAC had three former associate members, all private schools. This included the only schools outside of Ohio that had any level of OAC membership.
Institution | Location | Founded | Affiliation | Enrollment | Nickname | Joined | Left | Colors | OAC sport |
Primary conference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Defiance College | Defiance, Ohio | 1850 | United Church of Christ | 1,000 | Yellow Jackets | 2011β12 | 2015β16 | men's swimming & diving women's swimming & diving |
WolverineβHoosier (WHAC) | |
Manchester University | North Manchester, Indiana | 1860 | Church of the Brethren | 1,250 | Spartans | 2015β16 | 2017β2018 | Heartland (HCAC) | ||
Transylvania University | Lexington, Kentucky | 1780 | Disciples of Christ | 1,120 | Pioneers | 2012β13 |
- Notes
Membership timelineβ»
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/timeline/nrf8gzij3wbuotalk8vr0b2e8hnwe4k.png)
Sportsβ»
In 2023β24, the OAC sponsors the following championships:
Sport | Men's | Women's |
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Baseball | ![]() |
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Basketball | ![]() |
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Cross Country | ![]() |
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Football | ![]() |
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Golf | ![]() |
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Lacrosse | ![]() |
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Soccer | ![]() |
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Softball | ![]() | |
Swimming & Diving | ![]() |
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Tennis | ![]() |
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Indoor Track | ![]() |
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Outdoor Track | ![]() |
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Volleyball | ![]() | |
Wrestling | ![]() |
Facilitiesβ»
Departing member in pink.
School | Football stadium | Capacity | Basketball arena | Capacity | Baseball field | Capacity | Softball field | Capacity |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Baldwin Wallace | George Finnie Stadium | 10,000 | Rudolph Ursprung Gymnasium | 2,800 | Heritage Field | Rhoem Athletic Complex | ||
Capital | Bernlohr Stadium | 3,000 | Capital Center | 2,100 | Clowson Field | Clowson Field | ||
Heidelberg | Hoernemann Stadium | 1,300 | Seiberling Gymnasium | Peaceful Valley | Frann's Field | |||
John Carroll | Don Shula Stadium | 5,416 | Tony DeCarlo Varsity Center | 2,500 | Schweickert Field | Bracken Outdoor Athletic Complex | ||
Marietta | Don Drumm Stadium | 5,000 | Ban Johnson Arena | 1,457 | Don Schaly Stadium | 1,500 | Marietta Field | |
Mount Union | Mount Union Stadium | 5,600 | McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex | 3,000 | 23rd Street Field | 23rd Street Field | ||
Muskingum | McConagha Stadium | 5,000 | Anne C. Steele Center | 2,500 | Mose Morehead Field | Donna J. Newberry Field | ||
Ohio Northern | DialβRoberson Stadium | 3,500 | ONU Sports Center | Wander Field | ONU Softball Field | |||
Otterbein | Memorial Stadium | 2,400 | Rike Center | 3,100 | Fishbaugh Field | Otterbein Softball Field | ||
Wilmington | Williams Stadium | 3,500 | Fred Raizk Arena | 3,500 | Tewksbury-Delaney Field | WC Softball Field |
OAC Tournament Championship Historyβ»
Men's Swimming & Divingβ»
- 2016-24: John Carroll
- 2006-16: Ohio Northern
Women's Swimming & Divingβ»
- 2017-24: John Carroll
- 2015-16: Mount Union
Men's Basketballβ»
- 2020-22: Marietta
- 2019-20: Mount Union
- 2018-19: Baldwin Wallace
- 2017-18: John Carroll
- 2016-17: Marietta
- 2015-16: John Carroll
- 2014-15: Mount Union
- 2013-14: Wilmington
- 2012-13: Marietta
- 2011-12: Capital
- 2010-11: Marietta
- 2009-10: Wilmington
- 2008-09: John Carroll
- 2007-08: Heidelberg
- 2006-07: Capital
Women's Basketballβ»
- 2022: Baldwin Wallace
- 2020-21: John Carroll
- 2019-20: Baldwin Wallace
- 2018-19: John Carroll
- 2017-18: Marietta
- 2016-17: Ohio Northern
- 2015-16: Mount Union
- 2014-15: Baldwin Wallace
- 2013-14: Capital
- 2012-13: Ohio Northern
- 2009-10, 2010β11, 2011-12: Mount Union
- 2008-09: Capital
- 2007-08: Baldwin Wallace
- 2005-06, 2006-07: Wilmington
- 2002-03, 2003-04: Wilmington
Footballβ»
- 2017β19;2021: Mount Union
- 2016: John Carroll
- 1995β2015: Mount Union
- 1994: Baldwin Wallace/John Carroll/Mount Union
- 1992β1993: Mount Union
- 1991: Baldwin Wallace
- 1990: Mount Union
- 1989: John Carroll
- 1988: Baldwin Wallace/Wittenberg
Baseballβ»
- 2021-22: Marietta
- 2019: Otterbein
- 2018: Baldwin Wallace
- 2017: Otterbein
- 2015β16: Marietta
- 2014: John Carroll
- 2013: Mount Union
- 2011β12: Marietta
- 2010: Heidelberg
Men's Soccerβ»
- 2023: Ohio Northern
- 2018-22: John Carroll
- 2017: Otterbein
- 2016: John Carroll
- 2015: Ohio Northern
- 2014: Heidelberg
- 2010β13: Ohio Northern
- 2009: Capital and Ohio Northern (tie)
- 2008: Ohio Northern
- 2004: Wilmington
- 2000: Wilmington
Women's Soccerβ»
- 2019: Ohio Northern
- 2018: Otterbein
- 2017: Ohio Northern
- 2016: Mount Union
- 2013β15: Capital
- 2012: Ohio Northern
- 2011: Capital
- 2010: Otterbein
Women's Volleyballβ»
- 2018β19: Ohio Northern
- 2017: Otterbein
- 2016: Ohio Northern
- 2015: Heidelberg
- 2011β14: Mount Union
- 2010: Heidelberg
- 2009: Ohio Northern
- 2008: Heidelberg
Men's Golfβ»
- 2015β19: Otterbein
- 2014: Baldwin Wallace
- 2011: Mount Union
- 2009β10: Otterbein
- 2007β08: Mount Union
- 1998β06: Otterbein
- 1997: John Carroll
- 1996: Otterbein
- 1994β95: John Carroll
- 1992β93: Otterbein
- 1991: Heidelberg and Hiram (tie)
- 1990: John Carroll
- 1988β89: Wittenberg
- 1987: Muskingum
Men's Wrestlingβ»
- 2016β19: Baldwin Wallace
- 2012β14: Heidelberg
- 2011: Mount Union
- 2006β10: Heidelberg
- 2002β05: John Carroll
- 2001: Ohio Northern
- 2000: Muskingum
Men's Cross Countryβ»
- 2018-2019: Otterbein
- 2015β2017: Ohio Northern
- 2012β2014: Mount Union
- 2011: Ohio Northern
- 2010: Mount Union
- 2009: Heidelberg
- 2007β2008: Ohio Northern
- 2005β2006: Mount Union
- 2003β2004: Otterbein
- 2001β2002: Mount Union
- 2000: Heidelberg
Women's Cross Countryβ»
- 2015β18: Otterbein
- 2014: Mount Union
- 2013: John Carroll
- 2010β12: Ohio Northern
- 2009: Baldwin Wallace
- 2008: Ohio Northern
- 2007: Baldwin Wallace
- 2006: Ohio Northern
Men's Lacrosseβ»
- 2016β22: John Carroll
- 2013β15: Otterbein
Women's Lacrosseβ»
- 2014β19: Mount Union
Referencesβ»
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2019-09-04. Retrieved 2019-09-04.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "John Carroll University Joins North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC)" (Press release). January 18, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
- ^ "Team colors, mascots, names".
- ^ "Team colors, mascots, names".
- ^ "2020 OAC Football Record Book" (PDF). OAC.org. p. 4. Retrieved October 7, 2022.