To Whom It May Concern: Please accept this letter of inquiry for membership of the Mississippi University for Women Athletics Program into the Conference in 2023. It is my pleasure and honor to write this letter on behalf of our University and Athletics Program. Following an extensive review and execution process for the return of athletics from 2014 to the present time, which has included the use of a third-party consulting firm who completed a detailed feasibility study, The W has positioned itself for NCAA Division III affiliation and has identified the Collegiate Conference of the South and its illustrious members as the conference to join and serve as a productive and honorable member. The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning board members, University faculty, staff, alumni, The W Foundation Board members, and Columbus community leaders have all been involved throughout each phase of our return to athletics process, ensuring the ideals of the University’s mission and those of the NCAA Division III are met with overwhelming assurance. The feedback and data gained further supports the decision made by the University to reestablish the intercollegiate athletics program at the NCAA Division III level. Financial planning and campus expectations have been forecasted throughout the period of sport and staff implementation and beyond, fully supporting the institutions efforts to develop and maintain a high-quality intercollegiate athletics program. Currently, we are in year two of the NCAA Division III provisional membership. We have completed the exploratory and two years of provisional membership since the re-institution of sport in June 2016. With the impact and focus of COVID-19; the transition in leadership with our Director of Athletics and Campus Recreation and an interim Athletic Director serving as our Head Softball Coach, we regrettably did not devote the necessary time and resources needed to complete with excellence the Year 2 report. However, with the guidance and support of the NCAA III staff, the NCAA Athletic Director Mentor, the NCAA Faculty Mentor, the current administration and the number of personnel and resources utilized we feel confident completion of our Year 2 report and of this process is imminent. All of this is said to re-affirm the fact that we are confident in our ability to serve this great conference for many years to come! The members of the CCS have a long history of success on the fields of play and in the classroom. Each institution has solidified their commitment to the educational success of each student in and beyond the classroom, while placing great value on the positive impact intercollegiate athletics has on the overall student experience. It is these clear academic and integrity standards set forth not only by the conference office, but by the member institutions as well, that we feel that CCS is the right home for our institution. The core values of our athletics program which include Academics, Athletics, Community and Life, seamlessly combined with the mission of our University, fully support the mission of the CCS and align with its member institutions. It is with great pleasure that I express our interest for membership in 2023 with the CCS. I am familiar with several member institutions and will enjoy learning more about all of the members. Our institution and athletics program consider this to be a very fortunate opportunity and we are honored to be in consideration for membership. It is our goa to become proud members of the CCS and provide meaningful academic and athletic experiences for our campus as well as all member campus populations. Please feel free to call or email (nrmiller@muw.edu) me if we can provide more information or if you would like to set up a time for conversation. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely,
Nora R. Miller President
