SALEM, WV--Salem International University (SIU) today announced the reorganization and enhancement of its athletic programs to provide SIU’s student-athletes with the equipment, facilities, coaching and support staff that is required for success in the competitive West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) and NCAA Division II. The University also announced plans for a new multi-sports complex on campus.
The University recently renovated its T. Edward Davis Gymnasium by replacing the old floor with a new $250,000 floor system designed to meet the highest performance and stability for the athletes. Upgrades to the College Fitness Center , a new Athletic Training Suite and renovation to coach’s offices, team locker rooms, equipment storage, and team meeting rooms are all capital projects for 2009-2010. In addition, SIU is establishing a steering committee to study the feasibility of a new on-campus soccer/softball/football stadium complex to be located on the current intramural field.
“As a charter member of the 85-year old WVIAC, SIU is proud to be part of the largest NCAA Division II conference,” said SIU Director of Athletics Keith Bullion. “The commitment of resources that affords the opportunity to improve on our foundation of intercollegiate athletics is exciting. SIU has a proud tradition of success and we look forward to continuing in that tradition and being committed to competitive teams that are successful in the right way.”
Bullion said the University is committed to sponsoring sports that will be competitive and compliant with all rules and regulations. As such, the University will concentrate its efforts on sports that have had success on the conference and national levels.
For the 2009-10 season, SIU will sponsor the sports of men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s swimming, men’s and women’s water polo, baseball and women’s softball. The new administration also has made extensive renovations and upgrades to the dormitories, classrooms, campus technology, cafeteria, swimming pool and entertainment lounges. The University experienced a 16 percent increase in enrollment in the Fall of 2008 and expects a 15-20 percent increase this coming year.
“Salem International University seeks to support its athletic teams with quality facilities, excellence in coaching, and the institutional support in terms of scholarship, operating budgets and support personnel that will provide all SIU teams with the means to be successful in the conference and realistic expectation of performing at the highest levels in NCAA Division II,” said SIU Chancellor J. William Brooks. “By allocating resources in this focused manner, SIU’s sports will be contenders for championship and post-season play within three years.”