On July 7, 1978, six NCAA Division II institutions – Ashland University, Bellarmine College (now Bellarmine University), Indiana State University at Evansville (now the University of Southern Indiana), Indiana Central University (now the University of Indianapolis), Kentucky Wesleyan College, and Saint Joseph's College – united to formalize a final constitution and bylaws for the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Thirty-five years later, the GLVC is poised to celebrate the anniversary of its inception throughout the 2013-14 academic year.
What began as a six-member, men's basketball conference, has now grown to 16 schools and sponsorship of 20 sports, including men's and women's swimming and diving, which begins its inaugural season this year.
Also new in 2013-14 is the addition of Truman State University, which was officially welcomed into the conference for competition on July 1. The Bulldogs take the place of Kentucky Wesleyan, which has resigned from the conference but will continue to compete as an associate member of the GLVC in football.
In celebration of the GLVC's milestone,
the conference released July 8 its 35th Anniversary public service announcement (PSA), as well as its ceremonial logo, which will be utilized across all platforms this season.
In the league's PSA, several current and former conference representatives are featured, including pioneers who paved the way and leaders who emerged from within. An emphasis was also placed on the conference's progress over the years, made possible by people who are in position to inspire the next generation to guide us forward as a conference in our next 35 years.
Throughout the year, the GLVC will also celebrate its 35th Anniversary by introducing a redesign of its website, GLVCsports.com, which will feature an online and social media campaign called 35|35 that will highlight a weekly note on the conference's history over the course of 35 weeks. In addition, the league office will incorporate into the new website its first-ever GLVC Records Book, update the look of its annual All-Sports Trophy, and continue its commitment to enhance the championship experience for its student-athletes.
Stay tuned to GLVCsports.com for continued coverage of the conference's 35th Anniversary celebration, as well as the league's official Twitter account,
@GLVCsports, with the trending hashtag,
#GLVC35.