Aug. 8, 2003

BALTIMORE, Md. -- With the announcement on Thursday, August 7 that the NCAA Division III President's Council has recommended a "Reform" Package that could impact its athletic program, the Johns Hopkins University announced today its intentions as the proposed legislation heads to a vote at the 2004 NCAA Convention. The package could have a significant impact on the Department of Athletics at Johns Hopkins as it includes legislation that could jeopardize Hopkins' current multi-divisional status.

"Johns Hopkins University has enjoyed a great deal of success in athletics both at the Division I (men's and women's lacrosse) and Division III levels (24 remaining athletic programs currently sponsored)," Dr. William Brody, President of Johns Hopkins University, stated. "My administration fully supports our Department of Athletics and we are committed to maintaining our status as a multi-divisional institution. With the support of the many schools we compete against on a regular basis, it is our intention to work within the guidelines of the NCAA against this proposal."

The proposal, which may be amended prior to the NCAA Convention in January, will be voted on by all Division III institutions in attendance at the convention. A simple majority vote of the voting institutions is needed for the proposal to pass. The proposal includes an enactment date of 2008-09.

Of particular note to Johns Hopkins is the eliminating of athletics aid (scholarships) by Division III member institutions classified in Division I. Johns Hopkins currently offers the full allotment of scholarships permitted by the NCAA in men's and women's lacrosse. Of the 424 institutions that currently compete under the Division III banner, only eight offer programs that compete at the Division I level and offer scholarship support.

"The storied history of lacrosse at Johns Hopkins University is a source of pride for our students, faculty, staff, alumni and fans," Brody noted. "Our unquestioned intention is to continue to support our men's and women's lacrosse programs at the highest level possible and continue to compete for the national championship in these sports on an annual basis."

Johns Hopkins will lean heavily on the Centennial Conference for support in its battle against the legislation, In all, 17 of the school's 24 Division III sports compete in the Centennial Conference, which is comprised of the following institutions: Gettysburg College, Franklin & Marshall College, Muhlenberg College, Swarthmore College, Haverford College, Bryn Mawr College, McDaniel College, Ursinus College, Washington College and Dickinson College.

"We value the relationship we have with Johns Hopkins University and look forward to a continued association," Centennial Conference Executive Secretary Steve Ulrich noted. "The Centennial Conference and its member institutions are in full support of Johns Hopkins maintaining its current status."

The Johns Hopkins University athletic program is one of the most successful in the nation. Hopkins finished a program-best 14th in the 2002-03 NACDA Director's Cup standings and has finished in the top 30 in each of the last seven years. In addition to a national runner-up finish by the men's lacrosse team, the men's swimming team also finished second in the nation, while Hopkins was also represented in NCAA Championship competition by the men's and women's soccer teams in the fall, the women's basketball, women's swimming and fencing teams in the winter and the baseball and women's track teams in the spring.

- 30 -