CARMEL, Ind. - The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference and the Ohio Athletic Conference have entered into a formal strategic alliance designed to preserve competitive opportunities, support sustainable sport sponsorship and provide greater stability for NCAA Division III student-athletes and member institutions.
Approved by the Councils of Presidents of both conferences, the agreement establishes a framework through which the HCAC and OAC can collaborate on strategic initiatives, scheduling opportunities, affiliate membership arrangements and other areas of mutual interest while each maintains their own independent governance and operational models.
The agreement reflects a shared commitment to proactively address challenges facing Division III athletics and institutions, while creating opportunities for responsible and sustainable growth of both leagues and their sport offerings.
“This agreement represents a proactive approach to supporting our student-athletes and institutions,” said HCAC Commissioner Jay Jones. “Our two conferences have proud and historic identities, and we want to maintain that independence. In doing so, we recognize that, based on geographic footprints and similar institutional make-ups, we have an opportunity to stabilize each league through strategic collaboration.”
A central focus of this partnership is preserving access to NCAA championship opportunities for students of both conferences. If a sport in either conference is at risk of falling below the membership threshold required to maintain NCAA automatic qualification, the conferences may work together through scheduling assistance, affiliate membership arrangements or other mutually agreed-upon measures.
The agreement also creates a foundation for cooperation involving emerging and growing sports. By providing greater consistency and security in scheduling and sport sponsorship, the alliance can help institutions explore new athletic opportunities, knowing they will have teams to compete against, while responding thoughtfully to changes in existing programs.
For prospective student-athletes and their families, that cooperation can provide greater confidence in the long-term availability of competitive opportunities. For current student-athletes, it reinforces both conferences’ commitment to protecting meaningful conference and postseason experiences.
"This alliance demonstrates what is possible when conferences work together with a shared commitment to serving student-athletes and member institutions," said Bethany Dannelly, Commissioner of the Ohio Athletic Conference. "By creating this framework today, we are better positioned to address future opportunities and challenges in a thoughtful, strategic manner. As college athletics and higher education continue to evolve, this alliance reflects our commitment to ensuring that the student-athlete experience remains at the forefront of our decision-making."
The partnership also includes a mutual commitment that neither conference will solicit a core member of the other without approval through the conferences’ respective governance processes. That provision further reflects the alliance’s emphasis on trust, stability and the continued strength of both organizations.
Through this strategic alliance, the HCAC and OAC are affirming their dedication to their current memberships while establishing an innovative model for interconference cooperation. The agreement positions both conferences to respond proactively to changes in collegiate athletics, support sustainable sport growth and expand opportunities for Division III student-athletes.
About the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference
The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, proudly known as the “Heart of Division III,” is comprised of 10 private universities across Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. Through competition in 20 sponsored sports, the HCAC is committed to providing an exceptional student-athlete experience grounded in athletic excellence, academic achievement, sportsmanship, and community. HCAC member institutions share a dedication to developing well-rounded students who succeed in competition, in the classroom, and beyond.
About the Ohio Athletic Conference
Founded in 1902, the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) is the nation's third oldest athletic conference and a proud member of NCAA Division III. The OAC is comprised of nine member institutions — Baldwin Wallace University, Capital University, Heidelberg University, Marietta College, University of Mount Union, Muskingum University, Ohio Northern University, Otterbein University, and Wilmington College — united in their commitment to academic excellence, sportsmanship, and preparing student-athletes for success in the classroom, in competition, and in life.