INSTITUTE, W.Va. – West Virginia State University and its athletic department are pleased to welcome Shawnee State University as the newest full-time member of the Mountain East Conference, beginning in July 2026 pending acceptance into the NCAA Division II membership process.

Located in Portsmouth, Ohio, Shawnee State becomes the 12th full-time institution in the MEC and is expected to compete in 19 of the league's 23 championship sports. The university will begin football competition no later than the 2028 season.

"Shawnee State is a great fit for the Mountain East Conference, both geographically and institutionally," WVSU Athletic Director David Hicks said. "Their location in southern Ohio enhances the regional footprint of the league, and their size and resources closely mirror those of current MEC members. The planned addition of a football program also signals a clear investment in growing their athletic department, and we look forward to welcoming them into the conference."

"The Mountain East Conference is very pleased to extend an invitation of membership to Shawnee State University," Reid Amos, MEC Commissioner said in a release from the conference. "We engaged our membership committee in comprehensive and thoughtful discussions about a return to 12 full-time members, and SSU emerged as an institution that strongly aligned with our current membership.

"Through the course of our process, it became clear that Shawnee State President Dr. Eric Braun, Director of Athletics Gerald Cadogan, and SSU's leadership align well with the strategic vision and mission of the Mountain East. We are confident Shawnee State will successfully transition to NCAA Division II and become a valued member of the MEC."

Shawnee State has a rich athletic history at the NAIA level, including national championships in men's basketball (2021) and women's basketball (1999). The university currently competes in the River States Conference and will follow a similar transition path to Division II as Point Park University.

"This move marks an exciting new chapter for Shawnee State University," said Dr. Eric Braun, President of Shawnee State University. "The Mountain East Conference shares our values of community, collaboration, and innovative growth. We are impressed by the leadership of the MEC and its member schools. As an MEC member, Shawnee State will have exciting opportunities to elevate our programs, expand our reach, and deepen our commitment to academic and athletic excellence."

Pending NCAA approval, Shawnee State will begin MEC competition in the 2026-27 academic year.