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
HeadquartersWesterville, Ohio
CommissionerSarah Otey (since 2021)
Websiteoac.org
Locations

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.

Conference timeline
  • 1902 - The Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) was founded. Charter members included Case Institute of Technology, Kenyon College, Oberlin College, Ohio State University, Ohio Wesleyan University and Western Reserve University, effective the 1902-03 academic year.
  • 1907 - Denison University, Heidelberg College (now Heidelberg University) and the College of Wooster joined the OAC, effective the 1907-08 academic year.
  • 1909 - Wittenberg College (now Wittenberg University) joined the OAC, effective the 1909-10 academic year.
  • 1910 - The University of Cincinnati and Ohio University joined the OAC, effective the 1910-11 academic year.
  • 1911 - Miami University of Ohio joined the OAC, effective the 1911-12 academic year.
  • 1912 - Ohio State left the OAC, effective the 1911-12 academic year.
  • 1914 - Mount Union College (now the University of Mount Union) joined the OAC, effective the 1914-15 academic year.
  • 1915 - The University of Akron and Baldwin Wallace College (now Baldwin Wallace University) joined the OAC, effective the 1915-16 academic year.
  • 1916 - Ohio Northern University joined the OAC, effective the 1916-17 academic year.
  • 1919 - Baldwin Wallace left the OAC, effective the 1918-19 academic year.
  • 1920 - Hiram College joined the OAC, effective the 1920-21 academic year.
  • 1921 - Otterbein College (now Otterbein University) and St. Xavier College (now Xavier University) joined the OAC, effective the 1921-22 academic year.
  • 1922 - Muskingum College (now Muskingum University) joined the OAC, effective the 1922-23 academic year.
  • 1923 - Baldwin Wallace re-joined back to the OVC for a second time, effective the 1923-24 academic year.
  • 1924 - Cincinnati left the OAC, effective the 1923-24 academic year.
  • 1926 - Marietta College joined the OVC, effective the 1926-27 academic year.
  • 1927 - Capital University joined the OVC, effective the 1927-28 academic year.
  • 1928 - Denison, Miami, Ohio, Ohio Wesleyan and Wittenberg left the OAC to form the Buckeye Conference alongside Cincinnati (who left 4 years prior), effective the 1927-28 academic year.
  • 1931 - Ashland College (now Ashland University) joined the OAC, effective the 1931-32 academic year.
  • 1932 - Western Reserve left the OAC, effective the 1931-32 academic year.
  • 1932 - John Carroll University, Kent State College (now Kent State University) and Toledo University (now the University of Toledo) joined the OAC, effective the 1932-33 academic year.
  • 1933 - Bowling Green State College (now Bowling Green State University) joined the OAC, with Denison re-joining for a second time as well, effective the 1933-34 academic year.
  • 1934 - Wittenberg re-joined back to the OAC for a second time, effective the 1934-35 academic year.
  • 1935 - Hiram left the OAC, effective the 1934-35 academic year.
  • 1936 - Baldwin Wallace, Case Tech, John Carroll, Toledo and Xavier were suspended from the OVC for a violation of the opening date of football practice, all of them (except Xavier (Oh.)) were re-instated back the following school year.
  • 1936 - Akron and Xavier (Oh.) left the OAC, effective the 1935-36 academic year.
  • 1942 - Bowling Green State left the OAC, effective the 1941-42 academic year.
  • 1947 - Ohio Wesleyan re-joined back to the OAC for a second time, effective the 1947-48 academic year.
  • 1944 - Akron re-joined back to the OAC for a second time, effective the 1944-45 academic year (with football re-joining in the 1948 fall season (1948-49 academic year).
  • 1947 - Ohio Northern left the OAC, effective the 1946-47 academic year.
  • 1947 - Ohio Wesleyan re-joined back to the OAC for a second time, effective the 1947-48 academic year.
  • 1948 - Ashland and Case Tech, alongside Baldiwn Wallace for a second time, left the OAC, effective the 1947-48 academic year.
  • 1949 - John Carroll and Toledo left the OAC, effective the 1948-49 academic year.
  • 1951 - Kent State left the OAC, effective the 1946-47 academic year.
  • 1951 - Hiram re-joined back to the OAC for a second time, effective the 1951-52 academic year.
  • 1961 - Baldwin Wallace re-joined back to the OAC for a third time, effective the 1946-47 academic year.
  • 1966 - Akron left the OAC for a second time, effective the 1965-66 academic year.
  • 1971 - Hiram left the OAC for a second time, effective the 1970-71 academic year.
  • 1973 - Ohio Northern re-joined back to the OAC for a second time, effective the 1973-74 academic year.
  • 1984 - Kenyon, Oberlin and Wooster left the OAC, alongside Denison and Ohio Wesleyan for a second time, to form the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC), effective the 1983-84 academic year.
  • 1989 - Wittenberg left the OAC for a second time, effective the 1988-89 academic year.
  • 1989 - Hiram re-joined back to the OAC for a third time, alongside John Caroll who re-joined for a second time, effective the 1989-90 academic year.
  • 1999 - Hiram left the OAC for a third time, effective the 1998-99 academic year.
  • 2000 - Wilmington College of Ohio joined the OAC, effective the 2000-01 academic year.
  • 2011 - Defiance College joined the OAC as an associate member for men's and women's swimming and diving, effective the 2011-12 academic year.
  • 2012 - Transylvania University joined the OAC as an associate member for men's and women's swimming and diving, effective the 2012-13 academic year.
  • 2015 - Manchester University joined the OAC as an associate member for men's and women's swimming and diving, effective the 2015-16 academic year.

Member schools

Current members
Locations of members in the Ohio Athletic Conference
Institution Location Founded Joined Type Enrollment Nickname Colors
Baldwin Wallace University Berea, Ohio 1845 1915 Private
(Non-sectarian)		 4,177 Yellow Jackets    
1923[lower-alpha 1]
1961[lower-alpha 2]
Capital University Bexley, Ohio 1830 1927 Private
(Lutheran)		 3,628 Comets    
Heidelberg University Tiffin, Ohio 1850 1907 Private
(United Church of Christ)		 1,500 Student Princes      
John Carroll University University Heights, Ohio 1886[lower-alpha 3] 1932 Private
(Roman Catholic)		 3,700 Blue Streaks    
1989[lower-alpha 4]
Marietta College Marietta, Ohio 1835 1926 Private
(Non-sectarian)		 1,430 Pioneers    
University of Mount Union Alliance, Ohio 1846 1914 Private
(Non-sectarian)		 2,223 Purple Raiders    
Muskingum University New Concord, Ohio 1837 1922 Private
(Presbyterian)		 1,779 Fighting Muskies    
Ohio Northern University Ada, Ohio 1871 1916 Private
(United Methodist)		 3,577 Polar Bears      
1973[lower-alpha 5]
Otterbein University Westerville, Ohio 1847 1921 Private
(United Methodist)		 3,080 Cardinals    
Wilmington College Wilmington, Ohio 1870 2000 Private
(Religious Society of Friends)		 990 Quakers    
Notes
  1. Baldwin-Wallace left the OAC after the 1918–19 school year, but re-joined back effective the 1923–24 school year.
  2. Baldwin-Wallace left the OAC again after the 1947–48 school year, but re-joined back again effective the 1961–62 school year.
  3. Founded as St. Ignatius College in Cleveland, Ohio.
  4. John Carroll left the OAC after the 1948–49 school year, but re-joined back effective the 1989–90 school year.
  5. Ohio Northern left the OAC after the 1948–49 school year, but re-joined back effective the 1973–74 school year.

Former members
Historical membership of the OAC: current members in red and former members in steel.
Institution Location Founded Joined Left Type Nickname Colors Current
conference
University of Akron[lower-alpha 1] Akron, Ohio 1870 1915 1936 Public Zips     MAC
(NCAA D-I)
1944 1966
Ashland University Ashland, Ohio 1878 1931 1948 Private
(Brethren)		 Eagles     G-MAC
(NCAA D-II)
Bowling Green State University Bowling Green, Ohio 1910 1933 1942 Public Falcons     MAC
(NCAA D-I)
Case Institute of Technology Cleveland, Ohio 1880 1902 1948 Private Scientists (1918–1940)    [2] UAA
Rough Riders (1940–1971)
University of Dayton Dayton, Ohio 1850 1926 1934 Private Flyers     Atlantic 10
(NCAA D-I)
Denison University[lower-alpha 2] Granville, Ohio 1831 1907 1928 Private
(Non-sectarian)		 Big Red     NCAC
1933 1984
Hiram College[lower-alpha 3] Hiram, Ohio 1850 1920 1935 Private
(Disciples of Christ)		 Terriers    
1951 1971
1989 1999
Kent State University Kent, Ohio 1910 1932 1951 Public Golden Flashes     MAC
(NCAA D-I)
Miami University Oxford, Ohio 1809 1911 1928 RedHawks[lower-alpha 4]    
Kenyon College Gambier, Ohio 1824 1902 1984 Private
(Episcopal)		 Lords (men's)
Ladies (women's)		     NCAC
Oberlin College Oberlin, Ohio 1833 1902 1984 Private
(Non-sectarian)		 Yeomen (men's)
Yeowomen (women's)		    
Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio 1870 1902 1912 Public Buckeyes     Big Ten
(NCAA D-I)
Ohio University[lower-alpha 5] Athens, Ohio 1804 1910 1925 Bobcats     MAC
(NCAA D-I)
Ohio Wesleyan University[lower-alpha 6] Delaware, Ohio 1842 1902 1928 Private
(Methodist)		 Battlin' Bishops     NCAC
1947 1984
University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio 1819 1910 1924 Public Bearcats     The American
(NCAA D-I)
(Big 12 in 2023)
University of Toledo Toledo, Ohio 1872 1932 1947 Rockets     MAC
(NCAA D-I)
Western Reserve University Cleveland, Ohio 1826 1902 1932 Private Pioneers (1920–1928)    [3] UAA
Red Cats (1928–1971)
Wittenberg University[lower-alpha 7] Springfield, Ohio 1845 1909 1928 Private
(Lutheran)		 Tigers     NCAC
1934 1989
The College of Wooster Wooster, Ohio 1866 1907 1984 Private
(Non-sectarian)		 Fighting Scots    
Xavier University Cincinnati, Ohio 1831 1921 1936 Private
(Catholic)		 Musketeers       Big East
(NCAA D-I)
Notes
  1. Akron left the OAC after the 1935–36 school year, but re-joined back effective the 1944–45 school year before leaving for good after the 1965–66 school year.
  2. Denison left the OAC after the 1927–28 school year, but re-joined back effectively the 1933–34 school year before leaving for good after the 1983–84 school year.
  3. Hiram first left the OAC after the 1934–35 school year, but re-joined back effective the 1951–52 school year. It left the OAC again after the 1970–71 school year, but re-joined back again effective the 1989–90 school year before leaving for good after the 1998–99 school year.
  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 fall season (1910–11 school year)."Ohio University Football", Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati, OH, p. 4, September 27, 1909
  6. Ohio Wesleyan left the OAC after the 1927–28 school year, but re-joined back effective the 1947–48 school year before leaving for good after the 1983–84 school year.
  7. Wittenberg left the OAC after the 1927–28 school year, but re-joined back effective the 1934–35 school year before leaving for good after the 1988–89 school year.

Former associate members
Institution Location Founded Joined Left Type Enrollment Nickname Colors OAC
sport		 Primary
conference
Defiance College Defiance, Ohio 1850 2011–12 2015–16 Private
(United Church of Christ)		 1,000 Yellow Jackets     swimming & diving (m)
swimming & diving (w)		 HCAC
Manchester University North Manchester, Indiana 1860 2015–16 Private
(Church of the Brethren)		 1,250 Spartans    
Transylvania University Lexington, Kentucky 1780 2012–13 Private
(Disciples of Christ)		 1,120 Pioneers  

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

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
  • 2020-21: Marietta
  • 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
  • 2020-21: John Carroll
  • 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
  • 2021: Marietta
  • 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
  • 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
  2. "Team colors, mascots, names".
  3. "Team colors, mascots, names".
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