Ohio Athletic Conference

The Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) is an intercollegiate athletic conference which competes in the NCAA's Division III. All member institutions are located in Ohio. Formed in 1902, it is the third oldest athletic conference in the United States. In its history, 31 schools have been members of the OAC. The enrollments of the current nine member institutions range from around 1,000 to 4,500. Its current commissioner is Bethany Donnelly. 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).

Ohio Athletic Conference

Association	NCAA
Founded	1902; 123 years ago (1902)
Commissioner	Bethany Donnelly (since 2024)
Sports fielded	23 men's: 12 women's: 11
Division	Division III
No. of teams	9
Headquarters	Westerville, Ohio
Region	Ohio
Official website	oac.org
Locations

History

Baldwin Wallace

Capital

Heidelberg

Marietta

Mount Union

Muskingum

Ohio Northern

Otterbein

Wilmington

Locations of members in the Ohio Athletic Conference

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.

On January 18, 2024, John Carroll University announces departure from the OAC to the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC), beginning in the 2025–26 academic year.^[2]

Conference timeline

Historical membership of the OAC: current members in red and former members in steel.

• 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, beginning the 1902–03 academic year.
• 1907 – Denison University, Heidelberg College (now Heidelberg University) and the College of Wooster joined the OAC in the 1907–08 academic year.
• 1909 – Wittenberg College (now Wittenberg University) joined the OAC in the 1909–10 academic year.
• 1910 – The University of Cincinnati and Ohio University joined the OAC in the 1910–11 academic year.
• 1911 – Miami University of Ohio joined the OAC in the 1911–12 academic year.
• 1912 – Ohio State left the OAC after the 1911–12 academic year.
• 1914 – Mount Union College (now the University of Mount Union) joined the OAC in the 1914–15 academic year.
• 1915 – The University of Akron and Baldwin Wallace College (now Baldwin Wallace University) joined the OAC in the 1915–16 academic year.
• 1916 – Ohio Northern University joined the OAC in the 1916–17 academic year.
• 1919 – Baldwin Wallace left the OAC after the 1918–19 academic year.
• 1920 – Hiram College joined the OAC in the 1920–21 academic year.
• 1921 – Otterbein College (now Otterbein University) and St. Xavier College (now Xavier University) joined the OAC in the 1921–22 academic year.
• 1922 – Muskingum College (now Muskingum University) joined the OAC in the 1922–23 academic year.
• 1923 – Baldwin Wallace re-joined the OAC for a second time in the 1923–24 academic year.
• 1924 – Cincinnati left the OAC after the 1923–24 academic year.
• 1926 – Marietta College joined the OAC in the 1926–27 academic year.
• 1927 – Capital University joined the OAC in 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), after the 1927–28 academic year.
• 1931 – Ashland College (now Ashland University) joined the OAC in the 1931–32 academic year.
• 1932 – Western Reserve left the OAC after 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 in 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, in the 1933–34 academic year.
• 1934 – Wittenberg re-joined the OAC for a second time in the 1934–35 academic year.
• 1935 – Hiram left the OAC after the 1934–35 academic year.
• 1936 – Baldwin Wallace, Case Tech, John Carroll, Toledo and Xavier were suspended from the OAC for a violation of the opening date of football practice, all of them (except Xavier) were re-instated back the following school year.
• 1936 – Akron and Xavier left the OAC after the 1935–36 academic year.
• 1942 – Bowling Green State left the OAC after the 1941–42 academic year.
• 1947 – Ohio Wesleyan re-joined the OAC for a second time in the 1947–48 academic year.
• 1944 – Akron re-joined the OAC for a second time in the 1944–45 academic year, with football re-joining in the 1948 fall season (1948–49 academic year).
• 1947 – Ohio Northern left the OAC after the 1946–47 academic year.
• 1947 – Ohio Wesleyan re-joined the OAC for a second time in the 1947–48 academic year.
• 1948 – Ashland and Case Tech, alongside Baldiwn Wallace for a second time, left the OAC after the 1947–48 academic year.
• 1949 – John Carroll and Toledo left the OAC after the 1948–49 academic year.
• 1951 – Kent State left the OAC after the 1950–51 academic year.
• 1951 – Hiram re-joined the OAC for a second time in the 1951–52 academic year.
• 1961 – Baldwin Wallace re-joined the OAC for a third time in the 1961–62 academic year.
• 1966 – Akron left the OAC for a second time after the 1965–66 academic year.
• 1971 – Hiram left the OAC for a second time after the 1970–71 academic year.
• 1973 – Ohio Northern re-joined the OAC for a second time in 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) after the 1983–84 academic year.
• 1989 – Wittenberg left the OAC for a second time after the 1988–89 academic year.
• 1989 – Hiram re-joined the OAC for a third time, alongside John Caroll who re-joined for a second time, both effective in the 1989–90 academic year.
• 1999 – Hiram left the OAC for a third time after the 1998–99 academic year.
• 2000 – Wilmington College of Ohio joined the OAC in the 2000–01 academic year.
• 2011 – Defiance College joined the OAC as an associate member for men's and women's swimming and diving in the 2011–12 academic year.
• 2012 – Transylvania University joined the OAC as an associate member for men's and women's swimming and diving in the 2012–13 academic year.
• 2015 – Manchester University joined the OAC as an associate member for men's and women's swimming and diving in the 2015–16 academic year.
• 2024 – Defiance left the OAC and the NCAA Division III ranks as an affiliate member for men's and women's swimming and diving to join the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC), beginning the 2024–25 academic year.
• 2025 – John Carroll left the OAC to join the NCAC, beginning the 2025–26 academic year.

Member schools

Current members

The OAC currently has nine full members, all are private schools:

Institution	Location[a]	Founded	Affiliation	Enrollment	Nickname	Joined	Colors
Baldwin Wallace University	Berea	1845	Nonsectarian	3,220	Yellow Jackets	1915; 1923;[b] 1961[c]
Capital University	Bexley	1830	Lutheran ELCA	2,617	Comets	1927
Heidelberg University	Tiffin	1850	United Church of Christ	1,086	Student Princes	1907
Marietta College	Marietta	1835	Nonsectarian	1,198	Pioneers	1926
University of Mount Union	Alliance	1846	Nonsectarian	2,130	Purple Raiders	1914
Muskingum University	New Concord	1837	Presbyterian	2,117	Fighting Muskies	1922
Ohio Northern University	Ada	1871	United Methodist	3,015	Polar Bears	1916; 1973[d]
Otterbein University	Westerville	1847	United Methodist	3,080	Cardinals	1921
Wilmington College	Wilmington	1870	Quakers	1,046	Quakers	2000

Notes

1. All cities are located within the State of Ohio.
2. Baldwin–Wallace left the OAC after the 1918–19 school year, but returned in the 1923–24 school year.
3. Baldwin–Wallace left the OAC again after the 1947–48 school year, but returned again effective in the 1961–62 school year.
4. Ohio Northern left the OAC after the 1948–49 school year, but returned effective in the 1973–74 school year.

Former members

The OAC had 21 former full members, all but seven were private schools:

Institution	Location[a]	Founded	Affiliation	Enrollment	Nickname	Joined	Left	Colors	Current conference
University of Akron[b]	Akron	1870	Public	18,730	Zips	1915; 1944	1936; 1966		Mid-American (MAC)[c]
Ashland University	Ashland	1878	Brethren	6,626	Eagles	1931	1948		Great Midwest (G-MAC)[d]
Bowling Green State University	Bowling Green	1910	Public	17,540	Falcons	1933	1942		Mid-American (MAC)[c]
Case Institute of Technology[e]	Cleveland	1880	Nonsectarian	N/A	various[f]	1902	1948	[3]	University (UAA)[e]
University of Cincinnati	Cincinnati	1819	Public	45,949	Bearcats	1910	1924		Big 12[c]
University of Dayton	Dayton	1850	Catholic (Marianist)	11,241	Flyers	1926	1934		Atlantic 10 (A-10)[g]
Denison University[h]	Granville	1831	Nonsectarian	2,100	Big Red	1907; 1933	1928; 1984		North Coast (NCAC)
Hiram College	Hiram	1850	Disciples of Christ	1,395	Terriers	1920; 1951; 1989[i]	1935; 1971; 1999		Presidents' (PAC)
John Carroll University	University Heights	1886[j]	Catholic (Jesuit)	2,922	Blue Streaks	1932; 1989[k]	1948; 2025		North Coast (NCAC)
Kent State University	Kent	1910	Public	28,122	Golden Flashes	1932	1951		Mid-American (MAC)[c]
Kenyon College	Gambier	1824	Episcopal/Anglican	1,640	Lords & Ladies	1902	1984		North Coast (NCAC)
Miami University	Oxford	1809	Public	19,933	RedHawks[l]	1911	1928		Mid-American (MAC)[c]
Oberlin College	Oberlin	1833	Nonsectarian	2,850	Yeomen & Yeowomen	1902	1984		North Coast (NCAC)
Ohio State University	Columbus	1870	Public	61,369	Buckeyes	1902	1912		Big Ten[c]
Ohio University[m]	Athens	1804	Public	28,750	Bobcats	1910	1925		Mid-American (MAC)[c]
Ohio Wesleyan University[n]	Delaware	1842	United Methodist[o]	1,850	Battlin' Bishops	1902; 1947	1928; 1984		North Coast (NCAC)
University of Toledo	Toledo	1872	Public	20,304	Rockets	1932	1947		Mid-American (MAC)[c]
Western Reserve University[e]	Cleveland	1826	Nonsectarian	N/A	various[p]	1902	1932	[4]	University (UAA)[e]
Wittenberg University[q]	Springfield	1845	Lutheran ELCA	2,050	Tigers	1909; 1934	1928; 1989		North Coast (NCAC)
The College of Wooster	Wooster	1866	Nonsectarian	1,827	Fighting Scots	1907	1984		North Coast (NCAC)
Xavier University	Cincinnati	1831	Catholic (Jesuit)	7,112	Musketeers	1921	1936		Big East[g]

Notes

1. All cities are located within the State of Ohio.
2. Akron left the OAC after the 1935–36 school year, but returned in the 1944–45 school year before leaving for good after the 1965–66 school year.
3. Currently an NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision athletic conference.
4. Currently an NCAA Division II athletic conference.
5. Case Tech and Western Reserve merged with to form Case Western Reserve University in 1967. However, their athletic programs continued to operate separately until after the 1969–70 school year.
6. Case Tech's nicknames were the following: Scientists from 1918–19 to 1939–40; and Rough Riders from 1940–41 to 1970–71.
7. Currently an NCAA Division I non-football athletic conference.
8. Denison left the OAC after the 1927–28 school year, but rejoined in the 1933–34 school year before leaving for good after the 1983–84 school year.
9. Hiram first left the OAC after the 1934–35 school year, but rejoined in the 1951–52 school year. It left the OAC again after the 1970–71 school year, but returned again in the 1989–90 school year before leaving for good after the 1998–99 school year.
10. Founded as St. Ignatius College in Cleveland.
11. John Carroll left the OAC after the 1948–49 school year, but rejoined in the 1989–90 school year before leaving for good after the 2025–26 school year.
12. 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. Miami (OH) has been competing as the RedHawks since the 1997–98 school year.
13. 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
14. Ohio Wesleyan left the OAC after the 1927–28 school year, but rejoined in the 1947–48 school year before leaving for good after the 1983–84 school year.
15. Paused affiliation with the United Methodist Church in 2019.
16. Western Reserve's nicknames were the following: Pioneers from 1920–21 to 1927–28; and Red Cats from 1928–29 to 1970–71.
17. Wittenberg left the OAC after the 1927–28 school year, but rejoined in the 1934–35 school year before leaving for good after the 1988–89 school year.

Former associate members

The OAC had three former associate members, all private schools. This included the only schools outside of Ohio that had any level of OAC membership.

Institution	Location	Founded	Affiliation	Enrollment	Nickname	Joined	Left	Colors	OAC sport	Primary conference
Defiance College	Defiance, Ohio	1850	United Church of Christ	1,000	Yellow Jackets	2011–12	2015–16		men's swimming & diving women's swimming & diving	Wolverine–Hoosier (WHAC)[a]
Manchester University	North Manchester, Indiana	1860	Church of the Brethren	1,250	Spartans	2015–16	2017–2018			Heartland (HCAC)
Transylvania University	Lexington, Kentucky	1780	Disciples of Christ	1,120	Pioneers	2012–13

Notes

1. Currently an NAIA athletic conference.

Membership timeline

Sports

In 2023–24, the OAC sponsors the following championships:

Conference sports

Sport	Men's	Women'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

Departing member in pink.

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		Rhoem Athletic Complex
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	Fishbaugh 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

• 2016–2024: John Carroll
• 2006–2016: Ohio Northern

Women's swimming & diving

• 2017–2024: John Carroll
• 2015–2016: Mount Union

Men's basketball

• 2020–2022: Marietta
• 2019–2020: Mount Union
• 2018–2019: Baldwin Wallace
• 2017–2018: John Carroll
• 2016–2017: Marietta
• 2015–2016: John Carroll
• 2014–2015: Mount Union
• 2013–2014: Wilmington
• 2012–2013: Marietta
• 2011–2012: Capital
• 2010–2011: Marietta
• 2009–2010: Wilmington
• 2008–2009: John Carroll
• 2007–2008: Heidelberg
• 2006–2007: Capital

Women's basketball

• 2022: Baldwin Wallace
• 2020–2021: John Carroll
• 2019–2020: Baldwin Wallace
• 2018–2019: John Carroll
• 2017–2018: Marietta
• 2016–2017: Ohio Northern
• 2015–2016: Mount Union
• 2014–2015: Baldwin Wallace
• 2013–2014: Capital
• 2012–2013: Ohio Northern
• 2009–2010, 2010–2011, 2011–2012: Mount Union
• 2008–2009: Capital
• 2007–2008: Baldwin Wallace
• 2005–2006, 2006–2007: Wilmington
• 2002–2003, 2003–2004: Wilmington

Football

• 2017–2019; 2021–2024: Mount Union
• 2016: John Carroll
• 1995–2015: Mount Union
• 1994: Baldwin Wallace/John Carroll/Mount Union
• 1992–1993: Mount Union
• 1991: Baldwin Wallace
• 1990: Mount Union
• 1989: John Carroll
• 1988: Baldwin Wallace/Wittenberg

^[5]

Baseball

• 2021–2022: Marietta
• 2019: Otterbein
• 2018: Baldwin Wallace
• 2017: Otterbein
• 2015–2016: Marietta
• 2014: John Carroll
• 2013: Mount Union
• 2011–2012: Marietta
• 2010: Heidelberg

Men's soccer

• 2023: Ohio Northern
• 2018–2022: John Carroll
• 2017: Otterbein
• 2016: John Carroll
• 2015: Ohio Northern
• 2014: Heidelberg
• 2010–2013: 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
• 2013–2015: Capital
• 2012: Ohio Northern
• 2011: Capital
• 2010: Otterbein

Women's volleyball

• 2018–2019: Ohio Northern
• 2017: Otterbein
• 2016: Ohio Northern
• 2015: Heidelberg
• 2011–2014: Mount Union
• 2010: Heidelberg
• 2009: Ohio Northern
• 2008: Heidelberg

Men's golf

• 2015–2019: Otterbein
• 2014: Baldwin Wallace
• 2011: Mount Union
• 2009–2010: Otterbein
• 2007–2008: Mount Union
• 1998–2006: Otterbein
• 1997: John Carroll
• 1996: Otterbein
• 1994–1995: John Carroll
• 1992–1993: Otterbein
• 1991: Heidelberg and Hiram (tie)
• 1990: John Carroll
• 1988–1989: Wittenberg
• 1987: Muskingum

Men's wrestling

• 2016–2019: Baldwin Wallace
• 2012–2014: Heidelberg
• 2011: Mount Union
• 2006–2010: Heidelberg
• 2002–2005: 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

• 2015–2018: Otterbein
• 2014: Mount Union
• 2013: John Carroll
• 2010–2012: Ohio Northern
• 2009: Baldwin Wallace
• 2008: Ohio Northern
• 2007: Baldwin Wallace
• 2006: Ohio Northern

Men's lacrosse

• 2016–2022: John Carroll
• 2013–2015: Otterbein

Women's lacrosse

• 2014–2019: Mount Union