Carlow athletics moving from NAIA to Division III

Reduced travel, less expenses and fewer missed classes were among the reasons Carlow University decided to make the move to NCAA Division III.

The private Catholic school in Oakland is leaving the NAIA and is headed for the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference starting in 2022-23.

Carlow, an NAIA member since 1982, will still play games in the River States Conference initially as it makes the division and conference transition, which can take several years.

“This is an exciting time for Carlow University athletics in our new direction toward possible NCAA and AMCC membership,” Carlow athletic director Louis Zadecky said. “I believe this partnership will provide a better athletic experience for our student-athletes.”

The Celtics feature men’s and women’s teams in basketball, cross country, golf, track and field, soccer and volleyball, along with softball, women’s tennis and cheerleading.

This will be an “exploratory year” for Carlow, which will become provisional members of the AMCC in 2023-24.

The traditional NCAA membership arrangement has Carlow in line to become a full-fledged NCAA program by 2026-27.

The Celtics will have to wait until then to be eligible for AMCC postseason events. With that being said, however, Carlow will maintain its membership with the United States Collegiate Athletic Association, where its teams can compete for national titles.