Nebraska-Omaha to join Summit League

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ELMHURST, Ill., March 25 (UPI) -- The University of Nebraska-Omaha will move up to NCAA Division I and join the Summit League effective the 2012-13 academic year, the league said Friday.

Nebraska-Omaha is a Division I competitor in ice hockey, but the move from Division II for sports -- including men's and women's basketball -- will lead to the elimination of the Mavericks' football and wrestling programs.

The Summit League doesn't compete in football or wrestling.

Nebraska-Omaha has won six Division II wrestling championships, including titles the last three seasons. The Mavericks won the 2011 title Saturday.

Nebraska-Obama will field teams in five men's sports -- baseball, basketball, golf, soccer and tennis -- and 10 women's sports -- basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, and volleyball.

The Summit League will phase in the Mavericks' eligibility to compete for league titles through the 2015-16 academic year, when they will have the chance to win in each sport. Until then Nebraska-Obama will be eligible for conference championships in women's cross country, women's indoor and outdoor track and field, women's swimming and diving, and men's and women's golf.