Converse Ranks 29th in Nation Among Division II Athletics

The National Collegiate Scouting Association (NCSA) has announced its 10th annual Collegiate Power Rankings, which place Converse College 29th in the nation among NCAA Division II schools for overall quality of athletics and academics. The NCSA assess all NCAA athletic programs across the country, and les than six percent of the schools evaluated finished in the Top 100. This is Converse’s first time appearing in the Top 100.

“We are thrilled to debut at 29th in the nation for our first Top 100 ranking… Students and their families can now develop a better understanding of the particular strengths of top colleges and universities in Division I, II and III.”

The Collegiate Power Rankings are calculated for each Division I, II and III college and university by averaging student-athlete graduation rates, academic rankings provided by U.S. News & World Report, and the strength of athletic departments as determined by the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup. NCSA developed the rankings to help prospective student athletes and their families evaluate the particular strengths of the top colleges and universities at the Division I, II and III levels.

“We are thrilled to debut at 29th in the nation for our first Top 100 ranking,” says Converse Athletic Director, Joy Couch. “This is a great recruiting tool for Converse. Students and their families can now develop a better understanding of the particular strengths of top colleges and universities in Division I, II and III.”

Converse finished as the top Conference Carolinas school in the Southeast region. Barton College finished behind Converse with a power ranking of 38th followed by Lees-McRae College at 45th. Erskine College, Coker College and Queens University of Charlotte rounded out the top 100.

This recognition adds to significant recent momentum for the Valkyries athletic program. Earlier this fall, a $2.5 million gift was announced to help build the new Marsha H. Gibbs Field House and upgrade the fields at Converse. Additional recent success includes:

• Valkyries recently won their 4th (out of the last 5 years of conference membership) Allan Sharp Award for Academic Excellence, recognizing the highest graduation rate within Conference Carolinas. Additionally, 48 Converse student-athletes were named to the Conference Carolinas Presidential Honor Roll for 2012.
• Since its inception in 2009, the swim team has produced Converse’s first two All-American athletes in history, achieved a top 25 national ranking, had two swimmers selected for NCAA National Championships, and achieved Scholar All-American Team status every semester.
• Converse established an Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) affiliated equestrian program in 2011. Freshman Equestrian rider Cate Billings placed 14th in the Cacchione Cup at the IHSA National Championship last spring. This is the highest level of collegiate riding in which an athlete can compete.
• Golf was added to the roster of sports in 2011, and began competition this fall, garnering their first win of the season at a home invitational hosted by Converse. Track and Field was announced as a new sport this fall and will begin competing in fall 2013.