Big things are officially on the horizon for Shawnee State University — and for Portsmouth right along with it.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association announced this week that Shawnee State has been accepted as a provisional Division II member, clearing a major hurdle in the university’s long-anticipated move into the Mountain East Conference.
The Bears will begin competing in the Mountain East Conference during the 2026–27 academic year, entering a two-year provisional period that runs through the 2027–28 season. Once that transition is complete, Shawnee State will gain full NCAA Division II membership — becoming eligible for national championships beginning in 2028–29.
“This is a big moment for Shawnee State and this community,” Athletic Director Gerald Cadogan said. “There were a lot of people behind the scenes working hard to get to this moment. This transition is an opportunity for our athletes to compete on a broader scale and enables Shawnee State to broaden our reach beyond this region.”
University President Eric Braun echoed that sentiment, calling the move a turning point not just for athletics, but for students and the region as a whole.
“This is a new day for Shawnee State Athletics, our students, and our community,” Braun said. “We are providing student-athletes increased opportunities to earn nationally recognized degrees while competing at the NCAA Division II level. Elevating our programs, including athletics, continues to be a source of pride and accomplishment for Shawnee State University students and our region.”
A Major Shift After Decades in the NAIA
The transition marks the end of Shawnee State’s long-standing affiliation with the NAIA, where the university competed since introducing athletics in 1988–89. During that era, SSU captured national titles in men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and men’s indoor track and field — producing more than 90 NAIA All-Americans along the way.
Now, Shawnee State becomes the 12th member of the Mountain East Conference, joining institutions across Ohio, West Virginia, and Maryland.
But the NCAA acceptance is just one piece of a much larger transformation already underway.
Who are the other teams in this conference?
The Mountain East Conference includes the following teams:
Charleston
Concord
Davis & Elkins
Fairmont State
Frostburg State
Glenville State
Point Park University
West Liberty University
West Virginia State University
West Virginia Wesleyan College
Wheeling
Shawnee State University is set to join the conference and will participate in the 2026-27 academic year.
Football Is Coming — and So Is a Revitalized Stadium
As previously reported, Shawnee State plans to launch its first-ever varsity football program, with kickoff targeted no later than the 2028 season. Importantly, the university has committed to keeping all existing sports, expanding opportunities rather than cutting programs.
At the same time, SSU is making a bold investment in downtown Portsmouth by acquiring Spartan Stadium and Branch Rickey Park, totaling roughly 23 acres of historic sports property.
Plans call for a revitalized Spartan Stadium — once home to the Portsmouth Spartans, predecessors of today’s Detroit Lions — as part of a broader sports complex envisioned to serve:
- Varsity athletics
- Intramural and recreational programs
- Youth leagues and summer camps
- Community events
University leaders say the project is about far more than football.
It’s about bringing new energy downtown, attracting visitors, creating jobs, and injecting fresh economic activity into the local economy — all while restoring a landmark that holds deep meaning for generations of Portsmouth residents.
Why This Matters
The NCAA Division II move, combined with football and stadium redevelopment, represents one of the most significant expansions in Shawnee State’s history.
Supporters say the impact will be felt well beyond campus:
- More student-athletes coming to Portsmouth
- Increased hotel, restaurant, and retail traffic on game weekends
- New youth and community programming tied to the sports complex
- Stronger regional visibility for Shawnee State and Scioto County
In short, it’s a rare win-win: expanding educational opportunity while helping drive local revitalization.
After decades of competing on a smaller stage, Shawnee State is stepping into a new era — one that brings Division II athletics, football Saturdays, and renewed life for a historic stadium, all while positioning Portsmouth for meaningful economic growth.
For the Bears and their hometown, this is just the beginning.
