In nature, sea lions are unable to jump, but Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) officials have proven they most certainly can when it comes to university athletics. A long-awaited phone call rang on the Sea Lion’s campus earlier this month, advising the school its application to leap to National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II status has been approved. The university will also become members of a new athletic league. The call from the NCAA Division II Membership Committee ended a lengthy  process and touched off a celebration among the institution’s leaders. “This announcement culminates an application process that began several months ago,” said athletic director Ethan Hamilton. The complete NCAA move, however, is not immediate, according to PLNU officials. The Sea Lions will enter into a three-year transition period before earning full NCAA status. The university will continue to function as before during the 2011-12 school year and athletic season. For now, it will remain an active member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). During this time, the athletic department will also work toward meeting NCAA first-year requirements. Starting in the fall of 2012, PLNU will join the PacWest League and begin the second and third years of NCAA transition. Sea Lion athletic teams will be eligible for regular season PacWest championships and awards, but will not be able to compete in regional and national postseason play until awarded full NCAA membership in 2014-15. “PLNU is pleased to be accepted into NCAA Division II membership and we look forward to full participation in the PacWest,” said Dr. Bob Brower, university president.  “This important step in our athletic program will provide exciting opportunities for our student-athletes and the university.” Hamilton agreed. “I am thrilled for PLNU athletics to be moving forward within the NCAA framework to provide a Christ-centered environment where our student-athletes can holistically grow while pursuing academic and athletic distinction,” he said. Hamilton identified several key people “who have worked extremely hard to make this happen.”  As part of the preparation process, Dr. John Wright was appointed as faculty athletic representative, Sarah Gustin as senior woman administrator and Jackie Armstrong as compliance coordinator. The NCAA was founded in 1910 and is the governing body for more than 1,200 colleges and universities with more than 400,000 student-athletes. In 1973, the membership divided into three divisions: I, II and III. There are presently 293 schools competing in NCAA Division II. The Sea Lion athletic program fields 13 intercollegiate sport teams: men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s golf, baseball, men’s and women’s tennis, and men’s and women’s track and field. Women’s golf is set to begin in the fall of 2011. PLNU has been affiliated with the NAIA since the association changed its name from the National Association of Intercollegiate Basketball (NAIB) to the NAIA in 1952. The school is a charter member of the GSAC, a conference formed in 1986. Founded in 1902, PLNU serves more than 3,500 students. GSAC (NAIA, Div. 1) Azusa Pacific University Biola University Concordia University Fresno Pacific University Hope International University The Master’s College Point Loma Nazarene University* San Diego Christian College Vanguard University Westmont College * Leaving in the fall of 2012 — Website: www.gsacsports.org PACWEST CONFERENCE (NCAA, DIV. II) Academy of Art University Brigham Young University-Hawaii California Baptist University Chaminade University Dixie State College Dominican University Grand Canyon University University of Hawaii-Hilo Hawaii Pacific University Notre Dame de Namur University Point Loma Nazarene University* * Entering in the fall of 2012 — Website:  www.thepacwest.com