College of Saint Mary to Join Great Plains Athletic Conference

The Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) is proud to announce College of Saint Mary (CSM) as the newest member of the league. The announcement was made today in Omaha, Nebraska, during a press conference at the Lied Fitness Center on the CSM campus. CSM will officially join the GPAC beginning with the 2015-16 academic year after being approved at the October 7, 2014, meeting of the GPAC Council of Presidents. CSM will become the 12th member of the GPAC which was founded in 2000-2001 and is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year.

“We are tremendously excited to have CSM join the GPAC,” said Corey Westra, GPAC Commissioner. “CSM is an outstanding institution, with a proud history, that will fit in well with the existing members of our conference.” The addition of CSM expands the GPAC into the Omaha market for the first time in league history. “Being in the Omaha market solidifies our Nebraska footprint,” added Westra. “We are also proud to have an All-Women’s institution join our league as a full member as we continue to promote academic and athletic excellence in the GPAC.”

Currently College of Saint Mary is a member of the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference (MCAC). CSM offers eight varsity sports (seven GPAC sports) including: Volleyball, Soccer, Cross Country, Basketball, Swimming, Softball, Tennis, and Golf.

“College of Saint Mary is enthused about acceptance into the Great Plains Athletic Conference,” said CSM President Dr. Maryanne Stevens, RSM. “We believe our athletic programs have matured over the last few years and we expect to be a significant competitor in the Conference.” Stevens added, “Of great importance to us is the emphasis the NAIA places on the character of sport and the GPAC takes great care in ensuring that teams and spectators encourage competition that calls forth potential and fosters leadership which is essential to the mission of College of Saint Mary.”

“The GPAC will be an excellent opportunity for our student athletes and coaches to become involved in one of the best NAIA conferences in the country,” said CSM Athletic Director Jim Krueger. “The GPAC will provide top notch quality competition week-in and week-out in all of our sports. It will be an honor to be a member of a conference that has been represented multiple times with National Championship teams in numerous sports.”