San Francisco, CA -- Just two years after launching its athletics program, Academy of Art University has moved ever closer to becoming an National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II institution. On Monday afternoon, Academy of Art University Director of Athletics, Dr. Jamie Williams, received notification from the NCAA membership Committee that it has been approved for Candidacy Year Two in the Division II membership process.

“There are not enough superlatives to express how excited we are about the NCAA's decision to move us forward in the process,” said Dr. Williams. “Though we are the only art institute in the process and eventually in the NCAA, our team of administrators, coaches, and academics have not wavered in their effort and belief in this journey.”

Academy of Art University was approved for the Division II membership process nearly one year ago to the day. Over the past 12 months, the NCAA monitored the school's progress before issuing a positive recommendation to Dr. Williams.

With today's announcement, Candidacy Year Two presents further requirements in order to be ready to operate as an active Division II member. Provided Academy of Art University continues to meet NCAA obligations, it would become a full NCAA D-II member by the start of the 2012-13 academic year.

“This next step in the NCAA membership process excites me because it continues our mission to establish that art-related academics, and high-level intercollegiate athletics can successfully prosper as one,” said Academy of Art University President Elisa Stephens.

This past May 2010, Academy of Art completed its second year of intercollegiate competition and its first official year as a member of the Pacific West Conference. The Academy of Art University athletics department currently sponsors 14 men's and women's teams.

Check out the NCAA News Release! http://tinyurl.com/28dfkpf