INDIANAPOLIS--- The NCAA Hall of Champions will host an exhibit this summer celebrating student-athletes, administrators and the accomplishments in one of its three membership divisions—Division II.   The Division II exhibit begins Friday, June 18, and runs through August in Indianapolis.

The exhibit coincides with a Division II Chancellors and Presidents Summit that takes place in Indianapolis this weekend.   The Division II exhibit in the Hall of Champions will include historical data, photos, kiosk trivia, accomplishments of current and former student-athletes, memorabilia, and will provide visitors with a closer look at how Division II fits in the NCAA academic and athletic landscape.

“The exhibit is a reflection of the student-athlete and the administrator achievements in Division II within the context of the uniqueness of the division,” said Damon Schoening, director of brand strategies and events and the NCAA Hall of Champions.   “This exhibit will be a great opportunity for visitors to see the excitement in Division II and to learn more about the important role it plays within the NCAA.”

The NCAA is a membership association of colleges and universities that are governed in three divisions—I, II and III.  Division II has 293 schools, which includes slightly more than 88,500 student-athletes who are pursuing an academic degree while competing in intercollegiate athletics.   Division II developed a creative expression  (“I Chose Division II”) several years ago as a part of the division’s overall effort to clearly define its position within intercollegiate athletics and build the resources to help the membership tell its story. What many learned through the effort was most Division II student-athletes chose to attend schools within that division due to the comprehensive learning opportunities through the academic curriculum, high-level athletic competition and service to community.

Division II has led the way in both academic and athletic firsts for the NCAA.   It initiated the NCAA national championships festival concept for its student-athletes in May 2004, which continues to be successful today.   Division II championships festivals are held at different locations throughout the U.S., featuring an Olympic-type theme where multiple NCAA sports gather in the same city to determine the national champions.   The next Division II championships festival will be held later this year, Nov. 30-Dec. 4, in Louisville.  Division II is also the only division that has NCAA member schools in Puerto Rico and Alaska, and it recently welcomed the Association’s first Canadian institution into the membership process—Simon Fraser University.  The Hall of Champions has a geographical map that shows where all Division II schools are located by state.

Division II has also donated funds in relief efforts for community engagement activities and to supplement scholarship funds.   It raised more than $1 million for the Make-A-Wish Foundation; donated $1,000,000 for hurricane relief to support the NCAA’s Habitat for Humanity projects; and distributed more than $1,000,000 in diversity grants to institutions and conferences in an effort to hire more full-time athletics administrators and coaches.   The division also partnered with CBS College Sports Network to provide a national broadcast platform for its sports and student-athlete accomplishments.