HOUSTON – The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has informed Houston Baptist University the school's application for full Division I membership was approved by the NCAA Board of Directors at its meeting on Thursday.

“The entire HBU family is looking forward to the opportunities the University will have as an NCAA Division I institution,” said HBU President Robert B. Sloan Jr. “As we expand our athletics programs and venues, this level of competition will enhance our student recruitment and retention efforts and bring recognition on the athletic field. It will not only benefit our students and alumni but also have a very positive impact on the Houston community. Division I athletics will help the University fulfill its mission as a Christian institution of higher education committed to excellence in all of its programs.”

“This is a tremendous day for HBU,” Director of Athletics Steve Moniaci said. “This has been a four-and-a-half year journey that could not have been accomplished without the dedication of our Board of Trustees, alumni, faculty, coaches, staff, and our student-athletes who have risen to meet the challenges put before them by this transition and now find themselves on equal footing with the best intercollegiate athletics has to offer.”

HBU's athletic programs are immediately eligible for NCAA postseason play and revenue sharing, and its student-athletes will be recognized among the NCAA statistical leaders and will be eligible for NCAA honors.

HBU competed at the NCAA Division I level from 1973-1989, then competed in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The Huskies enjoyed much national success at the NAIA level, but made the decision to re-apply for NCAA Division I membership in 2007. HBU's application was accepted and the school was given provisional Division I status, until it could satisfy all necessary requirements during the NCAA's mandatory transition process over the last four years.

NCAA Division I members must offer at least 14 sports (at least seven for men and seven for women or six for men and eight for women). Each institution must sponsor at least two team sports for each gender. The schools must also have participating male and female teams or participants in the fall, winter and spring seasons.

Each Division I program must play a minimum number of contests against Division I opponents, which varies by sport. Institutions must also offer a minimum amount of financial aid but may not exceed established maximums.