The University of North Alabama will soon be a Division I athletic program after the UNA board of trustees approved the move at a meeting Tuesday.

UNA will compete in the Gulf South Conference for the 2017-18 academic year before joining the Atlantic Sun Conference the following season in all sports except football. The Lions’ football program will compete in the Big South Conference beginning in fall 2019.

During the 2018 season, UNA will compete as a Division I FCS Independent. All other UNA sponsored sports will compete in the ASUN.

“This is an exciting time for Lion athletics, the University as a whole, and the communities we serve,” said University of North Alabama President Ken Kitts in a press release. “The move to Division I will help sustain enrollment, expand our fan base and bring much-needed visibility for this wonderful institution.

“We’re determined to spread the word about the amazing things we have going on at UNA, so if prospective students learn about us from a sports ticker, great. I’ve said many times that it’s “Our Time to Roar” at the University of North Alabama. Our move into the ASUN and the ranks of Division I athletics is a powerful way to underscore that message.”

The addition of UNA will bring the ASUN membership to nine institutions for the 2018-19 season. North Alabama will compete in the Big South Conference for football starting in 2019 through the ASUN’s partnership with the Big South.

“I think this move will be transformational for our university,” UNA Director of Athletics Mark Linder said. “We understand that both leagues are very strong academically and athletically and we want to be an active, engaged and sustained member. We look forward to building relationships with schools in the ASUN and the Big South.”

The ASUN expands its footprint back into the state of Alabama, which formerly featured founding member Samford (1978-2003), Jacksonville State (1995-2003) and Troy University (1997-2005). With UNA joining the ASUN, the league resides in six states and features eight of the top-80 media markets in the nation.

“Today we cheer for University of North Alabama and for the ASUN Conference,” added ASUN Commissioner Gumbart. “We have shared the recent steps in this journey with UNA and its leadership, and we are extremely pleased to be making this announcement official. Congratulations on a step well-earned for the entire UNA community, and we look forward to being teammates in the support of your student-athletes, coaches and administrators for continued growth and success as members of the ASUN.”

Other UNA athletic programs competing in the ASUN include baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross-country, men’s golf, women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s tennis, women’s indoor and outdoor track and volleyball.

When will UNA join the ASUN?

UNA will begin the four-year reclassification process to Division I in the 2018-19 season, and immediately compete in all ASUN sports. As an ASUN member, beginning with its first year (2018-19) UNA will be eligible to earn berths in and participate for ASUN tournament championships. UNA will become eligible for NCAA Tournament play in 2023-24.

Success in NCAA Division II

North Alabama has won seven NCAA Division II national titles coming in four different sports. The Lions recently won the 2016 NCAA D-II Softball Championship finishing with a 60-7 record. Currently, UNA’s football (10-1) is in the NCAA Division II semifinals, while volleyball (29-6) reached the NCAA postseason regional round.