ROBERT MORRIS JOINS HORIZON LEAGUE Robert Morris University announced in a press conference at
From its fertile beginning as a men’s basketball junior
the UPMC Events Center June 15, 2020, that the Department
college powerhouse to one of the most multi-faceted
of Athletics will join the Horizon League as the Horizon
athletic programs in the Pittsburgh region, over the last
League Board of Directors approved the university’s
44 years Robert Morris has claimed 51 conference regular-
application for membership.
season championships and 52 league tournament titles. A
Beginning July 1, 2020, the Horizon League will have 12 members, including Cleveland State University (Cleveland, Ohio), the University of Detroit Mercy (Detroit, Mich.),
total of 14 of RMU’s intercollegiate athletic programs have earned at least one tournament championship, with men’s basketball leading the way with nine.
the University of Illinois at Chicago (Chicago, Ill.), Indiana
“We are excited for the opportunity to become members
University-Purdue University Indianapolis (Indianapolis,
of the Horizon League,” Robert Morris Vice President and
Ind.), Northern Kentucky University (Highland Heights, Ky.),
Director of Athletics Chris King ‘94 said. “Aligning ourselves
Oakland University (Rochester, Mich.), Purdue University
with a nationally recognized and well-branded conference
Fort Wayne (Fort Wayne, Ind.), Robert Morris, University
such as the Horizon League positions our athletics
of Wisconsin-Green Bay (Green Bay, Wisc.), University of
department to continue to gain national exposure for RMU.
Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Milwaukee, Wisc.), Wright State University (Dayton, Ohio) and Youngstown State University (Youngstown, Ohio).
“RMU is excited to collaborate with our Horizon League members to meet established conference goals and to actively contribute to broad-based initiatives that serve
In the Horizon League, the Colonials will compete in men’s
to grow the Horizon League on both a regional and
and women’s soccer, volleyball, women’s cross country
national level,” said King. “We are excited about this next
and indoor and outdoor track & field, men’s and women’s
chapter, creating new rivalries and continuing the forward
basketball, men’s golf and softball.
momentum of RMU athletics. I’m confident RMU, located
“This is the next great step forward for our student-athletes and a great day in the history of Robert Morris University,” RMU President Dr. Chris Howard said. “We are excited for the excellent competition that awaits in the Horizon League and for the opportunities it presents for the university.”
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2019-20 RMU ANNUAL REPORT
in one of the country’s most passionate sports cities, will not only be a strong and valued member of the conference athletically, but will also enhance the reputation of the conference through the addition of a national ranking institution with student-athletes who excel academically, athletically and in life.”
