Savannah College of Art and Design executive vice president Brian Murphy and athletic director Jud Damon announced June 17 that the college is changing athletic affiliation and has submitted an application for membership in the NAIA.

Damon said the college has been discussing a move to the NAIA for several years. "It has come up time and again over the past several years for a number of different reasons, but it has become clear that it is a better match for us at this time."

The decision to leave the NCAA comes at a time in which demand to enter the NCAA is so high the association has instituted a lottery system for new applicants.

Although SCAD will find more NAIA opponents within a closer radius, Murphy said the change also was prompted by questions that arose from the NCAA last fall about how scholarships had been awarded in the past. Following these inquiries, the college conducted an internal review and found issues with how athletic programs were previously operated.

"Although our internal review is still not complete, there are indications that in the past there were circumstances where the college was not in full compliance with NCAA Division III rules," said Murphy.

Murphy also noted a comparable quality of competition and the ability to cut down on travel time away from class as reasons for the move to the NAIA. "It's simply an excellent move for the athletic department and the college, and I have to give athletic director Jud Damon a lot of credit for the hard work he has put in to make this decision possible," said Murphy.

According to Damon, the college expects provisional status with the NAIA for one year, during which the schedule remains the same as previously set for the coming season. "SCAD will continue to play against NCAA Division III schools this year," said Damon. "The 2003-04 season will be a transition year. We plan to play the schedules that have already been set."

Murphy said the move to the NAIA was approved by the SCAD board of trustees

last month and the college has already notified the NCAA of its withdrawal from the association.

"Although our internal review is still not complete, there are indications that in the past there were circumstances where the college was not in full compliance with NCAA Division III rules," said Murphy.

In early November 2002, the college was informed by the NCAA that it was conducting a preliminary investigation into the college's athletic program. The NCAA visited the college and conducted interviews. Since that time the NCAA has taken no further action.

Murphy said that after hiring Jud Damon as athletic director in October 2000, the college began carefully reviewing its athletic practices.

"The college has cooperated fully with the NCAA," said Damon. "We respect the NCAA and are proud to have been affiliated with them for the past 10 years."