The University Division began for purposes of
college basketball. In August 1956, NCAA executive director
Walter Byers announced that, starting in 1957, the NCAA would hold separate basketball tournaments for major schools and smaller colleges. Approximately 156 major schools competing in the "University Division" would compete for 24 spots in the University Division tournament, while 285 smaller schools in the "
College Division" would compete for 32 spots in a separate tournament.[1]
By December 1957, the ranks of the University Division expanded to 179 universities and colleges.[3]
Extension to football
While the University Division was initially created as a basis for determining eligibility for the basketball tournament, the concept was eventually extended to
college football as well. In 1962, 140 major college football teams were recognized as being part of the "University Division" for purposes of football. Another 370 schools were placed in the "College Division".[4]
In 1963, the NCAA began holding regional football championships within the College Division. At that time, 120 of the 419 NCAA football programs were classified as being part of the University Division.[5]
Classification into the University Division for purposes of basketball was broader and included more schools than for purposes of football.[6] For purposes of football, and unlike basketball, classification into the University Division was not automatic based on conference membership.[7]
Changes in status
For purposes of football, the ranks of the University Division evolved from year to year. Promotion of football programs to the University Division Annual was determined in earlier years by members of the
American Football Writers Association,[8][9] and in later years by an NCAA sanctioning committee.[10] Annual changes in the University Division football membership include the following:
1960: Southern Miss was promoted to the University Division.
1961: Bowling Green was promoted to the University Division.
1962: Buffalo, Kent State, and Marshall were promoted to the University Division. There were 140 teams playing football in the University Division.[11]
1963: Out of 419 NCAA member schools, only 120 football programs were part of the University Division.[12]
1967:
Idaho and
Pacific (CA) were involuntarily dropped to the College Division;[13] both were elevated two years later.[14]
1969:
Northern Illinois and
San Diego State were admitted to the University Division, while
Idaho and
Pacific (CA) returned after two years in the College Division. The promotions increased the University Division to 118 teams for football.[10][14]
1970: The University Division remained stable at 118 teams. The NCAA Football Statistics and Classification Committee recommended that a College Division team not be elevated unless it includes at least five major-college opponents on its upcoming season schedule.[16]
^"Status Of Furman, Davidson Being Reviewed By NCAA". The Greenville News. August 6, 1965. p. 30.("Classifications are not made by conferences . . . and being in the Southern Conference does not automatically make a school be of major standing. Nor does one sport affect another.")