The Horizon League ®

the conference included current members Butler and Loyola as well as the , University, n its 33rd season of operation in the 2011-12 I and . academic year, the Horizon League continues to as- Among other current members, pire toward its goal of being one of the nation’s lead- joined in 1980, and State, UIC, Green ing athletics conferences while being recognized as Bay, and Wright State came aboard a leader in the development of student-athletes as in 1994 (along with Northern University) leaders and role models. in the largest non-merger conference expansion The Horizon League membership features ten in history. Youngstown State joined in 2001 and public and private institutions that have impres- Valparaiso in 2007. sive academic reputations and a storied tradition HORIZON LEAGUE On June 4, 2001, the Horizon League unveiled of broad-based athletic programs. Membership AT A GLANCE its current name and ushered in a new dynamic includes , Cleveland State Univer- direction that has brought the League closer to its sity, the University of Detroit Mercy, the University Year Founded 1979 stated goal of being one of the nation’s top ten colle- of Illinois at , Loyola University Chicago, giate athletic conferences with a focus on enhancing , the University of Wisconsin- the student-athletes’ experience by upgrading the Green Bay, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Current Members League’s market and competitive positions. and Youngstown State (with year joined)

University. Butler University (1979) ATHLETIC SUCCESS The Horizon League’s primary focus is on add- Cleveland State University (1994) In the past few years, the Horizon League has ing value to the educational experience through University of Detroit Mercy (1980) enjoyed unprecedented success on the national its four platforms: athletic performance, academic University of Illinois at Chicago (1994) Loyola University Chicago (1979) stage, highlighted by Butler’s second consecutive achievement, community outreach, and personal re- Valparaiso University (2007) appearance in the NCAA men’s basketball cham- sponsibility and accountability. It is the League’s be- University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (1994) pionship game appearance where the Bulldogs lief that athletics is a powerful and visible resource University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (1994) fell to Connecticut, 53-41. The Horizon League has tool that can be used to enhance student-athletes’ Wright State University (1994) compiled a 19-11 record in the past nine years in collegiate experience. The Horizon League’s goals Youngstown State University (2001) the NCAA tournament, ranking seventh among are to enhance the holistic university experience for all collegiate conferences for winning percentage. the student-athlete, to create an affiliation of insti- Green Bay’s women’s basketball team became tutions with similar athletic goals, and to adhere to Charter Members Butler University the league’s first team to reach the Sweet 16 in 2011, the principals of integrity, diversity, excellence and University of Evansville knocking off Michigan State in the second round growth. The Horizon League sponsors competition Loyola University Chicago before going toe-to-toe with No. 1 seed Baylor in in 19 sports - nine for men (baseball, basketball, the regional semifinals. The Phoenix earned a No. 5 cross country, golf, soccer, swimming and diving, Oral Roberts University seed in the tournament, going 34-2 on the year and indoor , outdoor track and field Xavier University holding a perfect 16-0 mark in Horizon League play. and tennis) and ten for women (basketball, cross Men’s soccer has tasted victory in seven out of country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and div- Commissioner the last nine years (Milwaukee 2002-05, UIC 2006- ing, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, Jonathan B. LeCrone (since 1992) 08), with UIC just one win away from the College Cup tennis and ). in 2007. In 2011, Butler was consistently ranked in The League receives automatic bids to NCAA the top 10 of the nation, earning the No. 13 national championships in baseball, men’s and women’s Address seed after becoming the last unbeaten team in the basketball, men’s golf, men’s and women’s soc- Pan American Plaza country. In softball, League teams won a game in cer, softball, men’s and women’s tennis, women’s 201 S. Capitol Avenue the national tournament four straight years earlier volleyball, and for the first time in League history, Suite 500 in the decade (UIC 2002, 2004; Wright State 2003; women’s golf. The Horizon League is headquartered , IN 46225 Green Bay 2005) while advancing into the second in Indianapolis, the “Amateur Sports Capital of the round in women’s soccer three of the last six seasons World,” with offices in the Pan American Plaza (201 On The Web (Detroit 2004, Milwaukee 2005-06). Butler’s Victoria S. Capitol Avenue), located a block from Lucas Oil www.horizonleague.com Mitchell became the League’s first NCAA individual Stadium and just minutes from Conseco Fieldhouse, champion when she won the 3,000-meter steeple- the State Capitol Building, Victory Field (home of the chase at the 2005 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Indianapolis Indians) and the NCAA national office. Aspiring to teach young people, through athletic Championships.

A PROUD HISTORY competition, the value of Founded on June 16, 1979, as the Midwestern learning, service to others City Conference with six charter members, the League changed its name to the Midwestern Colle- and personal responsibility. giate Conference in 1985 and added women’s sports for the 1986-87 academic year. Charter members of

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ACADEMIC SUCCESS GOVERNANCE Horizon League student-athletes also excel in The Horizon League is governed by a Board the classroom as more than 500 have been named 2010-11 HORIZON of Directors comprised of the ten member institu- to the Academic Honor Roll each of the past nine LEAGUE CHAMPIONS tions’ chief executive officers. Dr. Ronald Berkman, semesters for carrying a grade-point average of President of Cleveland State, serves as Board 3.2 or better, including more than 700 for the last Men’s Cross Country Chair through June 30, 2012. John Parry, Director Butler four semesters. 24 student-athletes were named to of Athletics at Cleveland State, serves as chair of ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District Women’s Cross Country the Executive Council, and Beth Goetz, Associate teams in 2010-11, while six earned Academic All- Butler Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator America honors. at Butler, is the Vice Chair and Shelia Patterson of Women’s Soccer Cleveland State serves as chair of the Faculty Athlet- Milwaukee COMMUNITY SERVICE ics Representatives. In addition to its athletics success, the Horizon Men’s Soccer League has secured a well-earned reputation for Butler LEADERSHIP its community service initiatives. Each January, Jonathan B. (Jon) LeCrone is in his 20th year as member institutions partner with local elemen- Volleyball Commissioner of the Horizon League, having been Butler tary schools for an art, music and essay contest named to the position on May 11, 1992, and is the highlighting the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Men’s Swimming & Diving fifth-longest tenured commissioner among the 31 with winners recognized at League games on the Milwaukee Division I conferences. He is the fifth commissioner weekend of MLK Day. in League history, succeeding Daniel B. “Tucker” The Horizon League Student-Athlete Advisory Women’s Swimming & Diving DiEdwardo (1989-92), James W. Shaffer (1984-89), Green Bay Committee (SAAC) also has continued a tradition of Cecil N. Coleman (1980-84) and James J. McCafferty working with youth in Indianapolis during its annual Men’s Indoor Track & Field (1979-80). summer meeting. In addition, SAAC is partnering Milwaukee LeCrone is in the final year of a four-year term with Special Olympics, putting on events for olym- on the NCAA Division I Leadership Council after pians in each community. Several League men’s Women’s Indoor Track & Field completing a five-year term on the Division I Men’s Milwaukee basketball coaches coached barefoot to support Basketball Committee. Samaritan’s Feet and Coaches vs. Cancer initiatives, Men’s Basketball and the League’s schools and fans donate to Komen Butler VISIBILITY for the Cure for breast cancer awareness during its The Horizon League has enhanced its media annual women’s basketball championship. Women’s Basketball visibility with a number of initiatives. The League is Green Bay On campus, student-athletes have raised in a three-year agreement with ESPN that includes money and awareness for such causes as breast Men’s Tennis selected regular-season men’s basketball action cancer, diabetes and hurricane relief, while hosting Cleveland State (ESPN2) and the men’s championship game (ESPN) blood drives, neighborhood clean-ups, Big Brother/ and features increased exposures each year on Big Sister programs and more. Women’s Tennis ESPNU plus inclusion in the annual O’Reilly ESPNU UIC BracketBusters, one of ’s premier SPORTSMANSHIP Women’s Golf in-season events. One of the Horizon League’s points of empha- Butler sis is fostering collegial environments for competi- HORIZON LEAGUE NETWORK tion among student-athletes, coaches, administra- Men’s Golf Having streamed more than 2,000 free, live Cleveland State tors and fans in a pro-active approach. Among the events in the last five years, the Horizon League is a vehicles is the Ethical Conduct Pledge, which is Men’s Outdoor Track & Field recognized leader in video streaming, through the signed each season by student-athletes, coaches, Milwaukee Horizon League Network (HLN). HLN takes viewers officials, and campus and League administrators. Its inside the conference, featuring student-athlete purpose is to make all the involved groups aware of Women’s Outdoor Track & Field profiles, weekly highlight shows, comprehensive Milwaukee the Horizon League expectations of behavior during coverage of all 19 Horizon League championships conference events. Softball and other special programming. UIC In 2010-11, HLN and HorizonLeague.com DEMOGRAPHICS experienced unprecedented growth as more than Horizon League institutions boast a combined Baseball 300,000 unique visitors across 149 countries/territo- Wright State enrollment of more than 130,000 plus nearly ries watched HLN coverage. Through the League’s a quarter-million living alumni centered in the partnership with WebStream Productions, Horizon- League’s Midwest footprint. League media markets League.com integrated both HorizonLeagueNet- include five of the nation’s top 35 in Chicago, Detroit, work.tv and HorizonLeague.org, leading to record Cleveland, Indianapolis and Milwaukee, covering visitors to the new site. more than ten million television households and The 2010-11 season featured the 2,000th live encompassing more than nine percent of the na- event streamed by the League. tion’s television audience.

77 ® Commissioner Jonathan B. LeCrone In his 20th year as commissioner of the Horizon League, Jonathan B. (Jon) LeCrone has been a driving force behind the development of the League. Under his direction, the Horizon League vigor- ously continues to pursue its vision, which is to create a student-centered League that promises and delivers a holistic university experience for student-athletes. “Our fundamental mission is to help educate young people,” said LeCrone. “Through athletics, we aspire to teach the values of learning, service to oth- ers and personal responsibility. Our goal is to help our member institutions add value to the educational experience.” Dr. Ronald Berkman John Parry Beth Goetz Named the League’s fifth commissioner on May 11, 1992, LeCrone’s 19 Cleveland State Cleveland State Butler years of leadership have resulted in an expanded and stable membership, im- Chair, Chair, Vice Chair, proved League championship events, a growing financial base, and greater Board of Directors Executive Council Executive Council national recognition for the Horizon League. His tenure is the fifth-longest Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., for four years. He also spent a year among the 31 multi-sport conferences in Division I. in the Chicago Cubs organization as the business manager for the Class AAA LeCrone is in the midst of a four-year term on the NCAA Division I Leader- team in Wichita, Kan. ship Council, which will be charged with developing the model of a Division A 1976 graduate of Wake Forest with a bachelor’s degree in English, I member. His appointment comes after a five-year term on the prestigious LeCrone was a member of the Wake Forest baseball team. He received a NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee. master’s degree in sports administration from Ohio University in 1978. A significant step toward a number of goals put forth by LeCrone oc- A native of Vandalia, Ohio, he is married to the former Lisa Dauria curred on June 4, 2001, when the Midwestern Collegiate Conference, founded Knorr. LeCrone has three daughters, Alexandra, Megan, and Emery, one son, in 1979, officially changed its name to the Horizon League. A driving force be- Weston, and one stepson, Maxwell. hind the name and image change, LeCrone and the Horizon League member- ship view the transformation as a renewed commitment to athletic success, community involvement, academic achievement and personal responsibility. In the fluid climate of intercollegiate athletics, LeCrone continues to Highlights of LeCrone’s Tenure have his hand on its pulse. Under his leadership, the Horizon League added as Horizon League Commissioner Youngstown State University as its ninth member in 2001 and expanded to 10 members with the addition of Valparaiso University in 2007. In 2002, he was • Spearheaded the transition of the name and image change from the Midwestern Collegiate Conference to Horizon League in one of four conference commissioners who joined with ESPN to create Bracket 2001. Buster Saturday (now Sears BracketBusters), one of the nation’s premier regu- lar-season men’s basketball events. • Guided the League through a major expansion in 1994 that LeCrone also implemented the Women’s Leadership Symposium, a bien- brought in current members Cleveland State, UIC, Green Bay, Milwaukee and Wright State. nial event first held in Indianapolis in 2001 with the purpose of enhancing the professional development and growth of women in athletics. More recently, • Was instrumental in the addition of Youngstown State University he guided the Horizon League Long-Range Planning Committee through (2001) and Valparaiso University (2007) as the League’s newest members. phase three of a long-range planning process. LeCrone has also worked to enhance the Horizon League’s sales, brand- • In the midst of a four-year appointment on the NCAA Division I ing and communications efforts. In 2011, he hired IMG College to coordinate Leadership Council. the League’s multimedia rights and sales initiatives, and he has augmented • Recently completed a five-year term on the prestigious NCAA the communications and multimedia staff to better serve the League’s infor- Division I Men’s Basketball Committee. mation and public relations efforts. • Has helped bring to Indianapolis the NCAA Men’s Final Four in In addition, LeCrone continues to be a leader in helping bring major 1997, 2000, 2006 and 2010, along with the Women’s Final Four NCAA championship events to Indianapolis. The Horizon League, along with in 2005 and 2011. The Horizon League will serve as a co-host national-runner up Butler University, co-hosted the 2010 NCAA Men’s Basket- for the Men’s Final Four in 2015 and Women’s Final Four in 2016. ball Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and successfully co-hosted • Was instrumental in the League signing a three-year extension the 2011 Women’s Final Four at Conseco Fieldhouse while Butler was playing with the ESPN family of networks. The current deal runs through in its second consecutive Men’s Final Four. 2013. Prior to joining the Horizon League, LeCrone spent nine years as assistant • Played a key role in the inclusion of Horizon League teams in the commissioner at the Atlantic Coast Conference, serving on the staffs of former BracketBusters series beginning in 2003. commissioner Gene Corrigan and his predecessor, the late Bob James. At the • Implemented the Horizon League Women’s Leadership Sympo- ACC, LeCrone was responsible for conference projects in television, market- sium that has been held biennially since 2001. ing, and public relations, including coordinating the syndicated football tele- • Served a six-year term on the Division I Men’s Soccer Committee, vision package, televising conference championship events, and developing including three as chair. revenue-producing projects. During his first five years at the ACC, his primary • Fueled the League signing a five-year contract with IMG College duties included the implementation of conference championship events and in 2011 to manage multimedia rights associated with advertising interpretation and enforcement of ACC and NCAA rules. and sponsorship inventory. Prior to joining the ACC, LeCrone was assistant athletics director at Wake

78 ® Horizon League History 1978 May 21 — Oral Roberts, the only institution to have won the award, clinches its seventh consecu- May 3 — Representatives from Bradley, Dayton, DePaul, Detroit, Illinois State, Loyola, Air Force tive McCafferty Trophy as the league’s all-sports champion. and Xavier attend a meeting hosted by DePaul in Chicago. While all in attendance agree a July 11 — The City of Indianapolis, the MCC and Butler University are selected as co-hosts of the conference is needed, no movement is made to form one. 1991 NCAA Final Four, to be played at the Hoosier Dome. In addition, the MCC and Butler are named to co-host the 1989 first and second rounds. 1979 Jan. 8 — An informal meeting for the formation of a conference is held during the 73rd NCAA 1987 Convention in . Representatives from Butler, Detroit, Evansville, Oral Roberts, March 12-14 — The MCC and Butler co-host the first and second rounds of the 1987 NCAA Divi- DePaul and Xavier attend. Observers from Marquette and Creighton also are present. sion I Men’s Basketball Championship at the Hoosier Dome. March 31 and May 23 — Representatives from the six charter institutions meet at Chicago’s March 25 — Oral Roberts announces it will withdraw from the MCC, effective June 30, to pursue O’Hare Airport to further discuss formation of a conference, consisting primarily of basketball competition as an independent. institutions. Detroit sends a representative to the May 23 meeting. April 21 — Evansville clinches the McCafferty Trophy, marking the first time in the MCC’s eight- June 10 — The six charter members meet at St. Louis’ Lambert Field and agree in principle that year history that an institution other than Oral Roberts won the award. an is formed. June 23 — Dayton announces it will join the MCC, effective July 1. The Flyers’ men’s non-revenue June 16 — Midwestern City Conference officially is formed, with Butler, Evansville, Loyola, Okla- sports begin conference play immediately, while the women’s programs and men’s basketball homa City, Oral Roberts and Xavier becoming charter members. program begin play in 1988-89. June 25 — Representatives hold their first formal meeting during the NACDA convention in June 24 — Saint Louis’ Ted Mimlitz and Evansville’s Debbie Bajovich are named recipients of the Hollywood, Fla. James J. Mc­Caf­ferty of Xavier is named commissioner; Irv Brown is named 1986-87 Coleman Medals of Honor. Bajovich’s selection marks the first award presented to supervisor of officials. a female student-athlete. Oct. 11 — A conference meeting is held in Evansville to outline the first year of operation. Aug. 5 — The MCC and Butler are named co-hosts for the first and second rounds of the 1990 Championships are announced for basketball, indoor track, tennis, golf and cross country. NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship at the Hoosier Dome. Oct. 6 — Notre Dame announces it will rejoin the MCC. The men’s non-revenue programs begin 1980 competition immediately. The school elects not to participate in men’s basketball. The May 7 — Detroit announces plans to join the MCC, effective July 1. women’s programs start conference play in 1988-89, with the exception of volleyball, which May 11 — Oral Roberts wins four team titles to claim the first McCafferty Trophy, signifying the begins MCC play in 1990. best overall performance in conference championships. Oct. 10 — MCC headquarters moves to the new Pan American Plaza Building, adjacent to the Sept. 1 — Cecil N. Coleman, former athletics director at the University of Illinois, is named the Hoosier (now RCA) Dome. second MCC commissioner. Nov. 6-8 — The MCC conducts its first men’s soccer championship at the Indianapolis Soccer and Sept. 8 — Coleman establishes the league’s headquarters in Champaign, Ill. Dale Raterman is Sports Center. Evansville wins the inaugural title over Saint Louis. Both teams earn at-large the MCC’s first information director. berths to the NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship. 1981 Nov. 9 — SNI Sports Network and the MCC announce the first agreement to televise every June 4 — Xavier basketball forward Gary Massa is named the first recipient of the MCC Medal game of the 1988 MCC Basketball Championships via a seven-station network reaching of Honor. The award is presented to the MCC’s most outstanding student-athlete, based on each conference city. academics, athletic achievement and extracurricular activities. 1988 Aug. 10-11 — NCAA Executive Committee approves automatic qualification for the MCC to the March 3 — Marquette announces that it will join the MCC, effective Sept. 1. The Warriors begin NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship. competition in some non-revenue sports immediately, while the remainder of the sports Dec. 18 — Saint Louis announces plans to leave the to join the MCC, effec- begin MCC play in 1989-90. tive July 1. May 19 — MCC members establish a new direction and set of goals tied to Long-Range Planning Objectives, aimed at continuing the conference’s overall commitment to Division I athletics. 1982 This includes establishing soccer, volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball and baseball as Oct. 11 — Notre Dame announces it will join the MCC as an associate member, competing in target priority sports. every conference sport except basketball, effective immediately. June 1 — Evansville’s Andy Benes, a junior pitcher with the Aces’ baseball program, is selected by the San Diego Padres as the first overall pick in the Major League Baseball amateur draft. 1983 Nov. 6 — Notre Dame upsets Saint Louis and Evansville to win the MCC soccer championship. July 1 — MCC opens its first full-time office in Champaign, Ill. Ken Lee is named the first full-time All three teams earn at-large selections to the NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship. director of media and promotional relations. 1989 1984 March 11 — The MCC conducts its first women’s basketball championship, with Notre Dame Feb. 12 — The NCAA announces the MCC receives automatic qualification to the NCAA Division defeating Loyola in the title game. The Irish participate in the women’s NIT. I Baseball Championship. March 12 — Evansville earns the MCC’s first at-large bid to the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Sept. 5 — James W. Shaffer, an NCAA staff member for nearly nine years, is named the MCC’s Championship. first full-time commissioner. March 27 — Saint Louis advances to the championship game of the National Invitation Tourna- Sept. 26 — The MCC moves its headquarters to Indianapolis. ment with a win over Michigan State. Dec. 10 — The MCC Medal of Honor is renamed in tribute to former commissioner Cecil N. May 12 — Commissioner Shaffer resigns to become vice president of public affairs at Butler Coleman. University. June 7 — The MCC is awarded automatic qualification to the NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer 1985 Championship. March 14-16 — Loyola is the first MCC representative to move beyond the first round of the NCAA June 30 — Daniel B. “Tucker” DiEdwardo, a member of the NCAA championships staff, is named Division I Men’s Basketball Championship and advances to the “Sweet 16.” the MCC’s fourth commissioner. April 4 — Oklahoma City withdraws from the MCC, effective at the end of the current year of Aug. 14 — The MCC and Butler are named as co-hosts for the first and second rounds of the 1993 competition. NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship and the 1997 Final Four. June 27 — Originally formed as the Midwestern City Conference, the MCC changes its name to 1990 the Midwestern Collegiate Conference and adopts a new logo. March 11 — Four men’s basketball teams are selected for postseason tournaments, as Xavier July 1 — The MCC adopts a revolving three-year membership commitment as part of its con- and Dayton receive bids to the NCAA Tournament and Saint Louis and Marquette are invited stitution. to the NIT. Aug. 13 — The MCC votes to bring women’s athletics under conference jurisdiction in the 1986- March 15-16 — Dayton and Xavier both win first-round games in the NCAA Tournament, the 87 academic year, making it mandatory for member schools to place men’s and women’s first time two MCC teams have done so in the same year. teams under league sponsorship. March 16-18 — The MCC and Butler host the first and second rounds of the NCAA Division I Men’s Oct. 17-18 — In the first joint meeting ever, MCC athletic directors and senior woman admin- Basketball Tournament, setting NCAA attendance records. istrators establish policies to govern the addition of women’s programs in the 1986-87 March 18 — Xavier downs Georgetown in a second-round game to advance to the Sweet 16. academic year. March 22 — Saint Louis advances to the NIT Final Four for a second consecutive season with a win over DePaul. 1986 July 27 — The MCC has five players selected in the two-round NBA Draft, including two first-round Jan. 27 — The MCC and ESPN announce plans to televise the 1986 MCC Basketball Championship choices, Tyrone Hill and Anthony Bonner. final to a live national cable audience. Nov. 7 — ESPN televises the MCC Men’s Soccer Championship. In a battle of two teams destined April 15 — Patty A. Broderick is named the MCC’s first supervisor of women’s basketball officials. for the NCAA Tournament, Evansville edges past Saint Louis, 1-0. April 22 — Notre Dame elects to withdraw from the MCC at the end of the competition year after Nov. 15 — The MCC announces a men’s basketball scheduling agreement with Notre Dame. being required to place women’s athletics under MCC jurisdiction. The Irish agree to play at least one game per season against each MCC member (current membership) on a home-and-away basis. Nov. 15 — Marquette and Saint Louis announce they will withdraw from the MCC, effective June 30, 1991.

79 ® Horizon League History 1991 1998 March 30-April 1 — The MCC and Butler co-host the 1991 NCAA Final Four at the Hoosier Dome. March 3 — Butler wins the MCC Men’s Basketball Championship and receives an automatic bid Duke defeats UNLV and Kansas to win the national title. to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year. Aug. 13 — The NCAA announces the MCC is awarded automatic qualification to the NCAA Divi- March 8 — The MCC sends three teams to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship for the sion I Women’s Basketball Championship. first time. Detroit and UIC receive at-large bids, joining Butler which had earlier earned an June 5 — The MCC adds women’s soccer as its 16th championship, beginning in 1991, and elevates automatic bid. the sport to target-priority status. March 7-9 — Green Bay earns the automatic bid to the NCAA Women’s Championship, defeat- Dec. 9 — The NCAA announces the MCC champion will automatically qualify to the NCAA Division ing Butler at in the championship game. Butler accepts an invitation to I Baseball Championship after a two-year absence. the Women’s NIT. Dec. 19 — Duquesne and La Salle universities announce they will join the MCC July 1, 1992, and March 11-14 — Green Bay falls to Illinois in the first round of the Women’s NCAA Tournament; begin full participation in the 1992-93 academic year. Butler defeats Bowling Green and advances to the second round of the Women’s NIT. March 13 — Detroit defeats St. John’s in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, advances to 1992 face Purdue. Jan. 31 — Commissioner DiEdwardo resigns to become executive director of the Sports June 25 — Butler and MCC are named co-hosts of the 2006 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four. Corporation. May 4 — The NCAA announces the MCC has earned automatic qualification to the NCAA Division 1999 I Women’s Volleyball Championship for the first time in 1992. March 2 — Detroit wins the Nokia MCC Men’s Basketball Championship in Chicago and receives May 11 — Jon­athan B. Le­Crone, nine-year assistant commissioner at the Atlantic Coast Confer- a bid to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year. Butler accepts a NIT bid. ence, is named the MCC’s fifth commissioner. March 4-6 — Green Bay earns the automatic bid to the NCAA women’s basketball championship, July 15 — MCC reaches agreement with the Creative Group regarding national regional televising defeating Detroit in Cleveland. of MCC men’s basketball for 1992-93, 1993-94 and 1994-95. March 11-13 — The MCC and Butler serve as co-hosts for a first-/second-round session of the Dec. 8 — announces it will withdraw from the MCC, effective June 30, 1993. NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship South Region. Detroit defeats UCLA in the first 1993 round of the NCAA Tournament, but falls to eventual Final Four participant Ohio State in the Jan. 20 — Duquesne announces it will withdraw from the MCC, effective June 30, 1993. second round. Green Bay falls to UCLA in the first round of the Women’s NCAA Tournament. March — Two men’s basketball teams, Evansville and Xavier, are selected to the NCAA Tournament. March 18 — Butler’s bid for a berth in the NIT Final Four comes to an end as Clemson defeats Xavier defeats New Orleans, 73-55, before falling to Indiana, 73-70, in the Hoosier Dome. the Bulldogs. July 8 — The NCAA announces the MCC and Butler will co-host the 2000 Final Four. May 21 — Championships in three sports help Butler capture its third consecutive McCafferty Nov. 4 — Evansville announces it will withdraw from the MCC, effective June 30, 1994. trophy. Dec. 9 — In what is considered to be the single largest non-merger conference expansion, the Nov. 21 — Loyola defeats Milwaukee, 3-2, to earn the League’s automatic bid to NCAA Volleyball MCC announces that Cleveland State, Illinois-Chicago, Northern Illinois, Green Bay, Milwau- tournament. Milwaukee receives an at-large bid to the NCAA Volleyball Tournament. kee and Wright State will join the league, effective July 1, 1994. The announcement is made during a live satellite video press conference with the new and current member schools. 2000 March 17 —Eventual championship participant Florida defeats Butler in first round of NCAA 1994 Tournament on an overtime buzzer-beater, 69-68. March 16 — Xavier announces it will leave the MCC, effective June 30, 1995. March 18 — Old Dominion defeats Green Bay 94-85 in first round of Women’s NCAA Tournament. July 11 — Notre Dame, an MCC member in all sports except men’s basketball, announces it will April 1 & 3 — The MCC and Butler co-host the Men’s NCAA Final Four. Michigan State defeats leave the MCC, effective June 30, 1995. Florida in the championship game. July 21 — To symbolize the start of a new era, the MCC unveils a new logo, the third in its history. May 25 — With three MCC championships, UIC becomes the sixth school to win the McCafferty Oct. 5 — The MCC announces a five-game regional television package for women’s basketball, Trophy. in conjunction with SportsChannel Chicago and Creative Sports, Inc. Nov. 19 — Loyola defeats Butler to earn second straight automatic bid to NCAA Volleyball tourna- ment. Milwaukee receives an at-large birth to the NCAA tournament one-day later, marking 1995 the second straight year the MCC sends two teams. January 23 — La Salle announces that it will leave the MCC, effective June 30, 1995. March 17 — Green Bay and Xavier compete in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball 2001 Championship, marking the ninth straight year, and the 12th in the last 14, in which two March 10 — Milwaukee upsets Green Bay, 72-57, in the MCC Women’s Basketball Championship MCC men’s basketball teams ompeted in postseason play. game and earns its first bid to the NCAA Women’s Basketball tournament. Green Bay accepts July 14 — The MCC announces a five-game basketball package with the ESPN network family, an invitation to play in WNIT. including the league’s first-ever telecast on ESPN2, for the 1995-96 season. March 16-18 — No. 10-seed Butler jumps out to 33-point halftime lead against seventh-seeded October 5 — The MCC announces a 16-game regional television package originating on Wake Forest in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Butler goes on to SportsChannel Chicago. Included in the package is the league’s first-ever live broadcast of win its first tournament game in more than 35 years. Butler would later lose to NCAA runner- its women’s basketball championship game. up Arizona in the second round. March 27-29 — Detroit becomes just the second MCC school to make it to the Final Four of the 1996 Men’s NIT in New York City. March 10 — The NCAA announces the fields for the men’s and women’s basketball champion- May 17 — Youngstown State announces that it will become the ninth institution and join the ships. Northern Illinois earns the MCC’s automatic men’s berth, and Green Bay wins an at-large MCC effective July 1, 2001. Youngstown State will begin competing within the League in bid, marking the 10th consecutive year that the MCC sends at least two teams to postseason the fall of 2001. men’s competition. Butler earns the MCC’s automatic women’s bid and comes within four June 4 — The MCC officially changes its name to Horizon League and introduces a new League points of a first-round upset of second-seeded Iowa. logo. March 13-15 — The MCC and Butler serve as co-hosts for a first-/second-round session of the NCAA Nov. 19 — The Horizon League lands Butler and Milwaukee in the NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament, Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Southeast Region. Princeton, led by legendary coach marking the first time since 1990 (fourth overall) that the League placed more than one team Pete Carril in his last season, upsets defending national champion UCLA in the first round. in the same year. Butler lost to Michigan State, 2-1. Milwaukee fell in overtime to UMKC, 2-1. May 15 — Championships in three spring sports help Northern Illinois earn the McCafferty Trophy, becoming just the fourth institution in the award’s 17 years to win it. 2002 June 20 — The MCC announces that it has joined with five other conferences to create the Con- March 10 — Three men’s basketball teams earn post-season bids. UIC loses to Final Four partici- ference Marketing Group, a consortium designed to develop collective sales and marketing pant Oklahoma, 71-63. Butler advanced to the NIT Quarterfinals before falling at Syracuse, opportunities for the leagues and their member institutions. 66-65 in overtime. Detroit loses at Dayton, 80-69 in the first round of the NIT. March 15 — 13th-seeded Green Bay takes host Texas down to the wire in the NCAA Women’s 1997 Basketball Tournament, falling 60-55. Feb. 28-March 5 — Butler men’s basketball wins the MCC championship and heads to the July 25 — The Horizon League announces a revolutionary change in its men’s basketball tour- NCAA tournament for the first time in 36 years. The Bulldogs lose to in the first nament format, switching from a single site to multiple sites for the first time since 1982. round, 86-69. Aug. 8 — The Horizon League becomes one of four leagues selected to participate in the inaugural March 6-8 — Detroit women’s basketball claims the MCC title and compete in the first round of ESPN Saturday with Detroit, UIC and Milwaukee representing the League. the NCAA tournament. UDM loses to Kansas, 81-67. Nov. 23 — Milwaukee defeats Oakland in the NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament, later to be defeated March 29-31 — The MCC and Butler University serve as co-hosts for the 1997 NCAA Division I by Creighton in the second round. Men’s Basketball Championship. North Carolina, Arizona, Kentucky and Minnesota compose the Final Four, as Arizona upsets Kentucky in the national championship. May 15 — Butler becomes the fifth institution to claim the McCafferty trophy.

80 ® Horizon League History 2003 March 28-30 – Detroit plays host to an NCAA Men’s Basketball Regional at Ford Field, featuring March 20 — Milwaukee participates in its first NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, losing to crowds of more than 57,000 for each session. Notre Dame, 70-69, in Indianapolis. May 28 – Cleveland State earns its first McCafferty Trophy in school history on the strength of March 21 — Butler upsets Mississippi State, 47-46, in the first round of NCAA Men’s Basketball the Vikings’ first League championships in volleyball, women’s basketball and men’s tennis Tournament. Two days later, the Bulldogs knock off Louisville, 79-71, to advance to the Sweet and first regular-season title in softball. 16, eventually losing to Oklahoma, 65-54. Nov. 25 – UIC advances to the men’s soccer Sweet 16 by advancing past No. 4 Michigan State March 16 — Wright State defeats Missouri in the NCAA Softball Tournament. on penalty kicks. Nov. 10 — Loyola wins its first-ever women’s soccer title by defeating Detroit, 1-0. Nov. 23 — Green Bay grabs the volleyball championship and advances to its first-ever NCAA 2009 Tournament by upending in-state rival Milwaukee, 3-2, for the League championship. March 20 – Cleveland State, making its first NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship appearance since 1986, runs past Wake Forest, 84-69, in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball 2004 Championship. Feb. 28 — Both Wright State men’s and women’s swimming & diving teams capture the Horizon March 27-29 – Butler and the Horizon League co-host an NCAA Men’s Basketball Regional at Lucas League Championship in Chicago. Oil Stadium, which was the first NCAA basketball event in the new venue. May 16 — UIC captures its unprecendented sixth Horizon League softball title. April 4-6 – Detroit hosts the Final Four, in the process setting Final Four attendance records with the May 20-23 — After an opening-round loss to tenth-ranked Tennessee, UIC defeats Bowling venue at Ford Field. 72,922 watch North Carolina defeat Michigan State for the national title. Green, No. 4 Notre Dame and Tennessee before falling to 22nd-ranked Oregon State in the May 27 – Milwaukee wins its fifth McCafferty Trophy in nine years. The Panthers won League NCAA Softball regional semifinals. championships in volleyball, women’s soccer, men’s and women’s indoor track and women’s Nov. 7 — The Milwaukee men’s soccer team claims its third Horizon League championship in as indoor track. many years and defeats No. 20 San Francisco in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. November 16 – Green Bay and Butler earn bids to the 2009 NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament. Nov. 14 — The Detroit women’s soccer team takes home the Horizon League Championship Butler earns a national seed, taking the No. 12 seed into the tournament. and goes on to down Michigan to advance to the second round of the NCAA championship. Nov. 22 — The Butler men’s cross country team places fourth at the NCAA Championship. Head 2010 coach Joe Franklin is National Coach of the Year. February 26 – Butler completes an undefeated run through the Horizon League men’s basketball schedule, beating Valparaiso, 74-69, to become the first team to go 18-0 in conference play. 2005 The Bulldogs would go on to capture the Speedway Horizon League Tournament title and March 17 — Milwaukee upsets No. 19 Alabama in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball earn a No. 5 seed to the NCAA Tournament, eventually finishing the season with a Horizon Tournament. The Panthers go on to defeat No. 7 Boston College to advance to the ‘Sweet 16’. League-record 33 victories. The Panthers conclude the season ranked 23rd in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll. March 15 – The 64-team field is announced for the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, and April 3- 5 -- The Horizon League and Butler co-host the Women’s Final Four for the first time at the for the first time, the Horizon League receives an at-large bid. Green Bay is given a No. 12 RCA Dome. Baylor claims its first national title in the sport with a victory over Michigan State. seed in the tournament, joining League tournament champion Cleveland State in the field. May 15 — Green Bay captures its first-ever Horizon League softball championship after being The Phoenix justify their spot, knocking off fifth-seeded Virginia, 69-67, in the opening round picked last in the League’s preseason poll. The Phoenix then down No. 6 Oregon State in the and drop a 60-56 heartbreaker to No. 4 Iowa State on the Cyclones’ home court. first round of the NCAA Championship. April 3-5 – Butler and the Horizon League co-host the Final Four for the fifth time in 19 years. June 10 — Butler’s Victoria Mitchell claims the individual title in the 3,000-meter steeplechase This time, however, Butler becomes the first host to reach the Final Four, knocking off Kansas event at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships. She becomes the State, 63-56, to return to Lucas Oil Stadium. The Bulldogs knock off Michigan State, 52-50, in Horizon League’s first individual national champion since the League’s founding in 1979. the national semifinal, before falling a basket short in a 61-59 loss to Duke in the national title Nov. 18 — Milwaukee defeats Bradley, 2-0, in the first round of the NCAA men’s soccer champi- game. The run to the national title game is best in Horizon League history by a team under onship to become one of only seven teams with victories in each of the past four national the Horizon League banner. Butler finishes the year ranked No. 2 in the polls. summits. The UWM women also advanced in NCAA tournament play for the first time, May 31 – On the strength of three team titles, Butler captures its seventh McCafferty Trophy, outlasting Purdue on penalty kicks. equaling the most in Horizon League history. The Bulldogs won League championships in Nov. 21 — Butler’s men and women both compete at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, men’s and women’s cross country, and men’s basketball. while Loyola’s men qualify for the first time in program history. BU standout Victoria Mitchell October 1 – The Butler men’s soccer team becomes the last unbeaten, untied team in the na- gains All-America honors after finishing fourth in the women’s event. tion. The Bulldogs stretch their run to 12-0-0 before their first non-win of the season, a 0-0 draw against IUPUI on Oct. 20. Butler would go on to earn the No. 13 national seed in the 2006 NCAA Tournament. March 16 — Milwaukee defeats sixth-seeded Oklahoma 82-74 in the first round of the NCAA November 21 – Butler captures the Horizon League volleyball championship, making the school men’s basketball tournament. the first since Notre Dame in 1993 as the only schools to win Horizon League regular season April 1 & 3 — The Horizon League office and Butler co-host the NCAA Men’s Final Four for the and/or tournament championships in all five fall sports in the same year. fourth time since 1991. Florida wins its first national championship, defeating UCLA in the title game. 2011 May 17 — Valparaiso University accepts an invitation to join the Horizon League effective with March 2 – Milwaukee’s Emily McClellan becomes the first female swimmer in Horizon League the 2006-07 academic year. history and first-ever Panther to compete at the NCAA Championship meet. The freshman Nov. 5 — Loyola wins both men’s and women’s soccer titles to advance to the NCAA Champion- earned a place in the 100 breaststroke, finishing 35th in 1:01.85. She was 48th in the 200 breast ships. UIC men and Milwaukee women each earn at-large bids. at 2:15.30 and also placed 54th in the 200 IM, touching the wall in 2:03.14. Nov. 22-24 — Butler defeats Tennessee and Gonzaga at to win the NIT March 5 – Green Bay completes an 18-0 Horizon League women’s basketball campaign for the Season Tip-Off crown. The Bulldogs eventually become the League’s first-ever Top 10 team, second time in three years. The Phoenix would go on to earn a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tour- reaching No. 10 in the AP polls in early February. nament after knocking off Butler, 74-63, in the League championship. March 13-14 - Four Horizon League men’s basketball programs earn postseason bids, equaling 2007 the previous high set in 1990. Winner of the Horizon League championship, Butler receives March 6 — Wright State holds off Butler, 60-55, to win its first-ever League men’s basketball a No. 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament, while Cleveland State receives a No. 2 seed in the title. BU receives an at-large bid to the Field of 65, giving the League multiple entries for NIT. Milwaukee joins the Vikings in the NIT field, while Valparaiso accepts a bid to the Col- the first time since 2003. legeInsider.com Tournament. March 17 — Butler reaches the Sweet 16 for the second time in five years, defeating Maryland in March 19 – Butler returns to the Sweet 16 by the slimmest of margins, knocking off No. 1 Pitt, the second round of the NCAA Championship. The Bulldogs opened the tournament with 71-70, in the third round. , who two days earlier lifted the Bulldogs to a 60-58 a victory over Old Dominion. win over No. 9 Old Dominion with a layup at the buzzer, hits the game-winning free throw March 18 — Green Bay eliminates New Mexico in the first round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball with less than a second remaining. Championship. The Phoenix fall to top seed Connecticut two days later. March 22 – Green Bay becomes the first women’s basketball team in Horizon league history to April 1-3 — Cleveland State serves as co-host for the NCAA Women’s Final Four. reach the Sweet 16, defeating No. 4 seed Michigan State, 65-56. Advancing to the Dallas May 26 — UIC sweeps its way to the baseball championship, tying Butler for top honors in the Regional, the Phoenix give top-seeded Baylor a scare before utlimately falling, 86-76. Green McCafferty Trophy points race---the first tie in League history. Bay’s 34-2 mark sets new League records for wins and winning percentage in a season. Dec. 1 – UIC advances to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship with a 1-0 April 2-4 – Continuing its run through the NCAA Tournament, Butler becomes the first non- victory at Creighton, earned a third straight victory over a seeded opponent on the road. Power 6 school since UNLV in 1990-91 to reach consecutive Final Fours, rallying for a 74-71 overtime win over Florida in the Southeast Regional final. The Bulldogs handle VCU, 70-62, in 2008 the national semifinal before falling one win shy of the national championship for the second March 21 – Butler dominates South Alabama, 81-61, in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball straight year, dropping a 53-41 contest to Connecticut. Butler finishes the year ranked No. Championship. The Bulldogs set a League record with their 30th win of the season and were 2 for the second year in a row. ranked in the top 20 since late November. April 3-5 – The Horizon League successfully co-hosts its second NCAA Women’s Final Four, this one at Conseco Fieldhouse. Texas A&M wins its first women’s basketball national title, knocking off Notre Dame in the championship.

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Horizon League Championship dates & Sites 2011 Fall Championships Cross Country Oct. 29 Squire Valleevue Farm Gates Mill, Ohio -- Hosted by Cleveland State

Women’s Soccer Nov. 1, 4, 6 Quarterfinals at #3, 4 seeds Rest of championship at #1 seed

Men’s Soccer Nov. 8, 11, 13 Quarterfinals at #3, 4 seeds Rest of championship at #1 seed

Volleyball Nov. 18-20 Entire championship at #1 seed

2011-12 Winter Championships Swimming and Diving Feb. 22-25 Schroeder Aquatic Center Brown Deer, Wis. -- Hosted by Milwaukee

Indoor Track and Field Feb. 25-26 Watson and Tressel Training Site Youngstown, Ohio -- Hosted by Youngstown State

Men’s Basketball Feb. 28, March 2, 3, 6 First round at #3, #4, #5, #6 seeds Second round/Semifinals at #1 seed Championship at higher remaining seed

Women’s Basketball March 5, 7, 9, 11 First round at #7, #8 seeds Quarterfinals at #1, #2, #3, #4 seeds Rest of championship at #1 seed

2012 Spring Championships Tennis April 27-29 North Central High School Indianapolis, Ind. -- Hosted by Horizon League

Women’s Golf April 27-29 Mission Inn Resort Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla. -- Hosted by Horizon League

Men’s Golf April 27-29 Mission Inn Resort Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla. -- Hosted by Horizon League

Outdoor Track and Field May 4-6 Lewis University Multipurpose Athletic Complex Romeoville, Ill. -- Hosted by UIC

Softball May 9-12 Entire championship at #1 seed

Baseball May 23-26 Les Miller Field Chicago, Ill. -- Hosted by UIC

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