Ohio Athletic Conference

The Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) was formed in 1902 and is the third oldest athletic conference in the United States. Its current commissioner is Tim Gleason. Former commissioners include Mike Cleary, who was the first General Manager of a professional basketball team to hire an African American head coach, and would later run the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA). The Ohio Athletic Conference competes in the NCAA's Division III. Through the years, 31 schools have been members of the OAC. The enrollments of the current ten member institutions range from around 1,000 to 4,500. Member teams are located in Ohio.

Ohio Athletic Conference
OAC
Established1902
AssociationNCAA
DivisionDivision III
Members10
Sports fielded
  • 23
    • men's: 12
    • women's: 11
RegionOhio
HeadquartersTwinsburg, Ohio
CommissionerTim Gleason (since 1991)
Websiteoac.org
Locations

Members

Current members

The OAC currently has 10 members.

Locations of members in the Ohio Athletic Conference
Institution Location
(all in Ohio)		 Nickname Founded Type Enrollment Joined Colors
Baldwin Wallace University Berea Yellow Jackets 1845 Private/Non-sectarian 4,177 1915[a 1] Brown and Gold
   
Capital University Bexley Crusaders 1830 Private/Lutheran 3,628 1927 Purple and White
   
Heidelberg University Tiffin Student Princes 1850 Private/United Church of Christ 1,500 1907 Red, Orange, & Black
     
John Carroll University University Heights Blue Streaks 1886 Private/Roman Catholic 3,700 1932[a 2] Blue and Gold
   
Marietta College Marietta Pioneers 1835 Private/Non-sectarian 1,430 1926 Navy Blue and White
   
University of Mount Union Alliance Purple Raiders 1846 Private/Non-sectarian 2,223 1914 Purple and White
   
Muskingum University New Concord Fighting Muskies 1837 Private/Presbyterian (USA) 1,779 1922 Magenta and Black
   
Ohio Northern University Ada Polar Bears 1871 Private/United Methodist 3,577 1916[a 3] Orange, Black, & White
     
Otterbein University Westerville Cardinals 1847 Private/United Methodist 3,080 1921 Tan and Cardinal
   
Wilmington College Wilmington Quakers 1870 Private/Quaker 990 2000 Green and White
   
Notes
  1. Baldwin-Wallace left the OAC after the 1918–19 season, but re-joined for the 1923–24 season. The school left again after the 1947–48 season, but returned yet again for the 1961–62 season.
  2. John Carroll left the OAC after the 1948–49 season, but returned for the 1989–90 season.
  3. Ohio Northern left the OAC after the 1948–49 season, but returned for the 1973–74 season.

Associate members
Institution Location Nickname Founded Affiliation Enrollment Joined Primary Conference Sports
Defiance College Defiance, Ohio Yellow Jackets 1850 Private/United Church of Christ 1,000 2011 HCAC men's swimming & diving
women's swimming & diving
Transylvania University Lexington, Kentucky Pioneers 1780 Private/Disciples of Christ 1,120 2012 HCAC men's swimming & diving
women's swimming & diving
Manchester University North Manchester, Indiana Spartans 1860 Private/Church of the Brethren 1,250 2015 HCAC men's swimming & diving
women's swimming & diving

Former members
Institution Location
(all in Ohio)		 Nickname Founded Type Joined Left Current Conference
University of Akron[b 1] Akron Zips 1870 Public 1915
1948		 1936
1966		 Mid-American (MAC)
(NCAA Division I)
Ashland University Ashland Eagles 1878 Private/Brethren 1931 1948 GLIAC
(NCAA Division II)
Bowling Green State University Bowling Green Falcons 1910 Public 1933 1942 Mid-American (MAC)
(NCAA Division I)
Case Institute of Technology Cleveland Scientists (1918–1940)
Rough Riders (1940–1971)		 1880 Private 1902 1948 UAA
Denison University[b 2] Granville Big Red 1831 Private/Non-sectarian 1907
1933		 1928
1984		 NCAC
Hiram College[b 3] Hiram Terriers 1850 Private/Disciples of Christ 1920
1951
1989		 1935
1971
1999		 NCAC
Kent State University Kent Golden Flashes 1910 Public 1932 1951 Mid-American (MAC)
(NCAA Division I)
Miami University Oxford RedHawks[b 4] 1809 Public 1911 1928 MAC
(NCAA Division I)
Kenyon College Gambier Lords (men's)
Ladies (women's)		 1824 Private/Episcopal 1902 1984 NCAC
Oberlin College Oberlin Yeomen (men's)
Yeowomen (women's)		 1833 Private/Non-sectarian 1902 1984 NCAC
Ohio State University Columbus Buckeyes 1870 Public 1902 1912 Big Ten
(NCAA Division I)
Ohio University[b 5] Athens Bobcats 1804 Public 1910 1928 Mid-American (MAC)
(NCAA Division I)
Ohio Wesleyan University[b 6] Delaware Battlin' Bishops 1842 Private/Methodist 1902
1947		 1928
1984		 NCAC
University of Cincinnati Cincinnati Bearcats (after 1914) 1819 Public 1910 1924 The American
(NCAA Division I)
University of Toledo Toledo Rockets 1872 Public 1932 1947 Mid-American (MAC)
(NCAA Division I)
Western Reserve University Cleveland Pioneers (1920–1928)
Red Cats (1928–1971)		 1826 Private 1902 1932 UAA
Wittenberg University[b 7] Springfield Tigers 1845 Private/Lutheran 1909
1934		 1928
1989		 NCAC
The College of Wooster Wooster Fighting Scots 1866 Private/Presbyterian 1907 1984 NCAC
Xavier University Cincinnati Musketeers 1831 Private/Catholic 1921 1936 Big East
(NCAA Division I)
Notes
  1. Akron left the OAC after the 1935–36 season, but rejoined in the 1948–49 season before leaving for good after the 1965–66 season.
  2. Denison left the OAC after the 1927–28 season, but rejoined in the 1933–34 season before leaving for good after the 1983–84 season.
  3. Hiram first left the OAC after the 1934–35 season, rejoining in the 1951–52 season. It left the OAC again after the 1970–71 season, returning in the 1989–90 season before leaving for good after the 1998–99 season.
  4. During Miami's tenure in the OAC, the school had no established nickname; "Boys", "Big Reds", and "Red and White" were used interchangeably. "Redskins" made its first appearance in 1928; by 1931, that nickname became official.
  5. Ohio adopts conference rules in 1909 that go into effect for the 1910 season."Ohio University Football", Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati, OH, p. 4, September 27, 1909
  6. Ohio Wesleyan left the OAC after the 1927–28 season, but rejoined in the 1947–48 season before leaving for good after the 1983–84 season.
  7. Wittenberg left the OAC after the 1927–28 season, but rejoined in the 1934–35 season before leaving for good after the 1988–89 season.

Membership timeline
Wilmington College (Ohio)Bowling Green State UniversityUniversity of ToledoKent State UniversityJohn Carroll UniversityAshland UniversityCapital UniversityMarietta CollegeMuskingum UniversityXavier UniversityOtterbein CollegeHiram CollegeOhio Northern UniversityBaldwin Wallace UniversityUniversity of AkronUniversity of Mount UnionMiami UniversityOhio UniversityUniversity of CincinnatiWittenberg UniversityThe College of WoosterHeidelberg University (Ohio)Denison UniversityWestern Reserve UniversityOhio Wesleyan UniversityOhio State UniversityOberlin CollegeKenyon CollegeCase Institute of Technology
Historical membership of the OAC: current members in red and former members in steel.

History

The Ohio Athletic Conference was found in 1902 with six charter members—Case Tech, Kenyon, Oberlin, Ohio State, Ohio Wesleyan, and Western Reserve. By 1934, the conference reached an all-time high of twenty-four members,[1] seeing many schools come and go throughout the upcoming decades. By 2000, the conference solidified to its current form with the addition of its final school, Wilmington, to ten members.

Sports

In 2018–19, the OAC sponsors the following championships:

Conference sports
SportMen'sWomen's
Baseball
Y
Basketball
Y
Y
Cross Country
Y
Y
Football
Y
Golf
Y
Y
Lacrosse
Y
Y
Soccer
Y
Y
Softball
Y
Swimming & Diving
Y
Y
Tennis
Y
Y
Indoor Track
Y
Y
Outdoor Track
Y
Y
Volleyball
Y
Wrestling
Y

Facilities
School Football stadium Capacity Basketball arena Capacity Baseball field Capacity Softball field Capacity
Baldwin Wallace George Finnie Stadium 10,000 Rudolph Ursprung Gymnasium 2,800 Heritage Field Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds Field
Capital Bernlohr Stadium 3,000 Capital Center 2,100 Clowson Field Clowson Field
Heidelberg Hoernemann Stadium 1,300 Seiberling Gymnasium Peaceful Valley Frann's Field
John Carroll Don Shula Stadium 5,416 Tony DeCarlo Varsity Center 2,500 Schweickert Field Bracken Outdoor Athletic Complex
Marietta Don Drumm Stadium 5,000 Ban Johnson Arena 1,457 Don Schaly Stadium 1,500 Marietta Field
Mount Union Mount Union Stadium 5,600 McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex 3,000 23rd Street Field 23rd Street Field
Muskingum McConagha Stadium 5,000 Anne C. Steele Center 2,500 Mose Morehead Field Donna J. Newberry Field
Ohio Northern Dial-Roberson Stadium 3,500 ONU Sports Center Wander Field ONU Softball Field
Otterbein Memorial Stadium 2,400 Rike Center 3,100 Otterbein Baseball Field Otterbein Softball Field
Wilmington Williams Stadium 3,500 Fred Raizk Arena 3,500 Tewksbury-Delaney Field WC Softball Field

OAC Tournament Championship History

Men's Swimming & Diving
  • 2016-19: John Carroll
  • 2006-16: Ohio Northern

Women's Swimming & Diving
  • 2017-19: John Carroll
  • 2015-16: Mount Union

Men's Basketball
  • 2019-20: Mount Union
  • 2018-19: Baldwin Wallace
  • 2017-18: John Carroll
  • 2016-17: Marietta
  • 2015-16: John Carroll
  • 2014-15: Mount Union
  • 2013-14: Wilmington
  • 2012-13: Marietta
  • 2011-12: Capital
  • 2010-11: Marietta
  • 2009-10: Wilmington
  • 2008-09: John Carroll
  • 2007-08: Heidelberg
  • 2006-07: Capital

Women's Basketball
  • 2019-20: Baldwin Wallace
  • 2018-19: John Carroll
  • 2017-18: Marietta
  • 2016-17: Ohio Northern
  • 2015-16: Mount Union
  • 2014-15: Baldwin Wallace
  • 2013-14: Capital
  • 2012-13: Ohio Northern
  • 2009-10, 2010–11, 2011-12: Mount Union
  • 2008-09: Capital
  • 2007-08: Baldwin Wallace
  • 2005-06, 2006-07: Wilmington
  • 2002-03, 2003-04: Wilmington

Football
  • 2017–19: Mount Union
  • 2016: John Carroll
  • 1992–2015: Mount Union
  • 1990: Baldwin Wallace
  • 1989: John Carroll
  • 1988: Wittenberg

Baseball
  • 2019: Otterbein
  • 2018: Baldwin Wallace
  • 2017: Otterbein
  • 2015–16: Marietta
  • 2014: John Carroll
  • 2013: Mount Union
  • 2011–12: Marietta
  • 2010: Heidelberg

Men's Soccer
  • 2018-19: John Carroll
  • 2017: Otterbein
  • 2016: John Carroll
  • 2015: Ohio Northern
  • 2014: Heidelberg
  • 2010–13: Ohio Northern
  • 2009: Capital and Ohio Northern (tie)
  • 2008: Ohio Northern
  • 2004: Wilmington
  • 2000: Wilmington

Women's Soccer
  • 2019: Ohio Northern
  • 2018: Otterbein
  • 2017: Ohio Northern
  • 2016: Mount Union
  • 2013–15: Capital
  • 2012: Ohio Northern
  • 2011: Capital
  • 2010: Otterbein

Women's Volleyball
  • 2018–19: Ohio Northern
  • 2017: Otterbein
  • 2016: Ohio Northern
  • 2015: Heidelberg
  • 2011–14: Mount Union
  • 2010: Heidelberg
  • 2009: Ohio Northern
  • 2008: Heidelberg

Men's Golf
  • 2015–19: Otterbein
  • 2014: Baldwin Wallace
  • 2011: Mount Union
  • 2009–10: Otterbein
  • 2007–08: Mount Union
  • 1998–06: Otterbein
  • 1997: John Carroll
  • 1996: Otterbein
  • 1994–95: John Carroll
  • 1992–93: Otterbein
  • 1991: Heidelberg and Hiram (tie)
  • 1990: John Carroll
  • 1988–89: Wittenberg
  • 1987: Muskingum

Men's Wrestling
  • 2016–19: Baldwin Wallace
  • 2012–14: Heidelberg
  • 2011: Mount Union
  • 2006–10: Heidelberg
  • 2002–05: John Carroll
  • 2001: Ohio Northern
  • 2000: Muskingum

Men's Cross Country
  • 2018-2019: Otterbein
  • 2015–2017: Ohio Northern
  • 2012–2014: Mount Union
  • 2011: Ohio Northern
  • 2010: Mount Union
  • 2009: Heidelberg
  • 2007–2008: Ohio Northern
  • 2005–2006: Mount Union
  • 2003–2004: Otterbein
  • 2001–2002: Mount Union
  • 2000: Heidelberg

Women's Cross Country
  • 2015–18: Otterbein
  • 2014: Mount Union
  • 2013: John Carroll
  • 2010–12: Ohio Northern
  • 2009: Baldwin Wallace
  • 2008: Ohio Northern
  • 2007: Baldwin Wallace
  • 2006: Ohio Northern

Men's Lacrosse
  • 2020: Wilmington*
  • 2016–19: John Carroll
  • 2013–15: Otterbein

Women's Lacrosse
  • 2014–19: Mount Union

References
  1. https://etd.ohiolink.edu/!etd.send_file?accession=osu1486662800883214&disposition=inline
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