College of Saint Mary to Join GPAC
By Great Plains Athletic Conference Sports Information
OMAHA, Neb. – The Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) is proud to announce College of Saint Mary as the newest member of the league. The announcement was made October 23, 2014, in Omaha, Neb., during a press conference at the Lied Fitness Center on the College of Saint Mary campus. College of Saint Mary will officially join the GPAC beginning with the 2015-16 academic year after being approved at the October 7, 2014, meeting of the GPAC Council of Presidents. College of Saint Mary will become the 12th member of the GPAC which was founded in 2000-2001 and is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year.
"We are tremendously excited to have College of Saint Mary join the GPAC," said Corey Westra, GPAC Commissioner. "College of Saint Mary is an outstanding institution, with a proud history, that will fit in well with the existing members of our conference." The addition of College of Saint Mary expands the GPAC into the Omaha market for the first time in league history. "Being in the Omaha market solidifies our Nebraska footprint," added Westra. "We are also proud to have an All-Women's institution join our league as a full member as we continue to promote academic and athletic excellence in the GPAC."
Currently College of Saint Mary is a member of the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference (MCAC). College of Saint Mary offers eight varsity sports (seven GPAC sports) including: Volleyball, Soccer, Cross Country, Basketball, Swimming, Softball, Tennis, and Golf.
"College of Saint Mary is enthused about acceptance into the Great Plains Athletic Conference," said College of Saint Mary President Dr. Maryanne Stevens, RSM. "We believe our athletic programs have matured over the last few years and we expect to be a significant competitor in the Conference." Stevens added, "Of great importance to us is the emphasis the NAIA places on the character of sport and the GPAC takes great care in ensuring that teams and spectators encourage competition that calls forth potential and fosters leadership which is essential to the mission of College of Saint Mary."
"The GPAC will be an excellent opportunity for our student athletes and coaches to become involved in one of the best NAIA conferences in the country," said College of Saint Mary Athletic Director Jim Krueger. "The GPAC will provide top notch quality competition week-in and week-out in all of our sports. It will be an honor to be a member of a conference that has been represented multiple times with National Championship teams in numerous sports."
About College of Saint Mary
As a distinctive Catholic University, College of Saint Mary (Neb.) strives to create an environment that emphasizes academic, personal and spiritual development, in addition to making college affordable for students and their families. With more than 30 undergraduate and seven graduate degree programs, College of Saint Mary provides students with opportunities to explore their passions and pursue new interests.
Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1923 and inspired by their mission, they're dedicated to academic excellence and service-learning opportunities that help women develop a greater sense of self and self-worth and a confidence that they can take out into the world to make a difference for all.
College of Saint Mary offers degree programs across a wide spectrum of today's leading fields such as nursing, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, teaching with specialties, teaching for career changers, business with an emphasis in analytics and strategic communication, legal studies and more. And College of Saint Mary provides a solid liberal arts education foundation for all of these majors with opportunities to study the fine and performing arts as well.
College of Saint Mary is proud of their alumnae – making their mark on the world and lasting impressions on lives they touch. Their signature Mothers Living & Learning program (one of eight in the country) is renowned for making a difference in the lives of single mothers because they can attend college to earn their degrees and gain the college experience – all with children in tow.
In the heart of Omaha, Neb., College of Saint Mary is located at 7000 Mercy Road (just off 72nd Street).
