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HANCOCK -- Courtesy:  Finlandia University

Finlandia University Athletic Department is proud to announce their acceptance into the Great South Athletic Conference (GSAC). “We are extremely excited to provide a championship experience for our women’s programs and compete for the opportunity to gain NCAA post-season play through this affiliation” said Chris Salani, Finlandia University Athletic Director.  The Lions non-affiliated women’s sports teams will join the GSAC in 2013-14, with the current 2013 softball team obtaining immediate enterance.

Founded in 1999 as a group of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III member institutions, the GSAC member schools bear similar academic and athletic interests. The GSAC currently sponsors the women’s sports of cross country, soccer, volleyball, basketball, softball and tennis. The Lions look to join member institutions across the country located in Alabama (Huntingdon College), California (Mills College), Geor­gia (Agnes Scott College, Covenant College, Spelman College and Wesleyan College), North Carolina (Salem College), Maine (University of Maine at Presque Isle), Massachusetts (Pine Manor College),) and Washington D.C. (Trinity Washington University).

Salani also added, “It’s an opportunity that is a creative partnership for both Finlandia and the GSAC to help our student-athletes acquire and maintain a full student-athlete experience.”  Our affiliation with the GSAC is a huge step towards the future growth of our current programs. Finlandia University hopes this endeavor will help augment our current mission based on maintaining high academic standards while fostering highly competitive athletics.  We look forward to the opportunity to compete at the highest level with a chance to enter a post season regional with success within the GSAC conference tournament.