KIAC announces River States Conference as New Name, Unveils New Conference Logo For Immediate Release (March 4, 2016) at KIACSports.com

NEW ALBANY, Ind. — The Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced a new conference name and logo at a news conference held Friday, March 4 at University Southeast. The announcement came in the Hoosier Room and was streamed live to a world-wide audience on the KIAC’s Stretch Internet video streaming portal.

The oldest conference in the NAIA, the KIAC was established in 1916 and has a proud history over the last 100 years. On Friday, KIAC leadership ushered in a “Current of Change” by announcing the new name for the conference and unveiling the new conference logo.

Effective July 1, 2016, the KIAC will change its name to the River States Conference. For the remainder of 2015-16 academic and athletic calendar, the conference will continue to operate as the KIAC.

The introduction of the River States Conference and the associated logo is the culmination of a four-year process that began in 2012. Over the last four years, the conference has undergone several changes in membership. The current membership boasts 13 schools from five different states — Kentucky, Indiana, , and West .

And after a process that included input from presidents, athletic directors, coaches, sports information directors and student-athletes, the conference has put forward a new name that unifies member schools under the river that runs through them and reflects the geographical layout that spans five different states. With that goal in mind, the River States Conference is born.

The Ohio River is a central figure and a key player in the development of the River States Conference name. The Ohio River flows through the center of the conference and is near many of the 13 member schools. It also passes through each of the five states featured in the membership and forms the southern border of Ohio and Indiana, the northern board of Kentucky and the western border of the .

The Ohio River has its origin in , Pa., just blocks from the campuses of Point Park (Pa.) University and Carlow (Pa.) University. It continues on all the way to the western border of the conference near Brescia (Ky.) University in Owensboro, Ky., and beyond.

The word depicted most prominently in the River States Conference logo is the word ‘States.” Spanning five states from Kentucky to Pennsylvania gives the conference a broad reach. The “states” aspect is a central pillar to the conference and a source of pride. The River States Conference spans a large section of the country from the mid-atlantic to the mid-south to the mid-west.

The number five also plays a role in the River States Conference and is represented in the logo. The five core values of the NAIA’s Champions of Character Initiative are represented by the five stars at the top of the logo, each one depicting a different ideal of respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship.

At the bottom of the logo are five topographical areas that represent the five states and the Ohio River. The river represents the state of Ohio and also the river, and it passes through the other states.

The River States Conference will be represented by a color scheme of Kelly Green, Navy Blue, Royal Blue and White. White lettering against a Royal Blue background makes up the main part of the logo. The river is also Royal Blue. Kelly Green provides the background, and Navy Blue provides the border.

The River States Conference logo was created by Rebel Pilgrim Creative Agency located in , Ohio. They are located near KIAC member Cincinnati Christian and also did the Eagles’ new logo last year. Mark Haas, VP of Marketing & Design, headed up the River States Conference logo process.

KIAC NEWS CONFERENCE QUOTES Media are invited to use these quotes from KIAC officials taken from the KIAC News Conference March 4:

JOE GLOVER Director of Athletics, Indiana University Southeast and President of the KIAC Board of Athletic Directors "As President of the Board of Athletic Directors I just want to commend everyone involved in this collaborative effort. This marks an historic and significant day in our conference history, and I know that the next 100 years will be just as bright as the first 100 with our league’s leadership and continued commitment to student-focused collegiate athletics."

"Today is a great day for our member schools and our league as a whole. Four years ago, a task force began this process and after many months of thoughtful discussion, I believe we have created a tremendous new brand for our conference as it continues to grow and evolve.”

“This new name and branding helps lead our conference into a bright future. We are in the midst of unparalleled growth and success, and this is just another step for our league."

SCOTT McCLURE, KIAC Commissioner “This is a wonderful day for the KIAC and the River States Conference as we prepare for our name change this summer and unveil our new logo. While we look forward to a bright future as the River States Conference, we are extremely mindful of our historic past, and the roots of the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference will forever be the foundation of our growth as a conference.”

“I’m grateful to former KIAC Commissioner Bill Melton and former KIAC Treasurer Pat Mrzowzski. Under their leadership, the conference created committees that started this process over four years ago. One of commissioner Melton’s final responsibilities was to lead the conference in changing its name last spring with the support of our conference Presidents and Board of Athletic Directors.”

“The KIAC is truly experiencing a current of change today, and Bill and Pat steered us in the right direction. Bill Melton’s legacy is entwined with the KIAC’s legacy. There was a time a few years ago when the future existence of the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference was doubted due to declining membership. In the past four years, the KIAC has added five new schools. Our conference has grown geographically and gone from a conference on the brink of extinction five years ago to one of the largest conferences in the NAIA.”

“The Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference represents 13 colleges and universities in five states. The strength of our conference lies not only in our numbers but also in the quality of the administrations, coaches, staffs and student- athletes on our campuses. We are all linked by a commitment to the development and education of our talented students.”

“Our new brand and logo emphasizes the unifying element of the River and the significance of the number 5. The five stars at the top of our logo and the five geographic land and water elements at the bottom of the logo represent the five states which make up our conference. Five is also highlighted because it emphasizes the five core values of the NAIA’s Champions of Character initiative. Those values are integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership.”

DR. RAY WALLACE Chancellor, Indiana University Southeast and Chair of the KIAC Council of Presidents “I am honored that IU Southeast is hosting this historic announcement for the conference. This will be an important day as the conference moves towards the future and continues to build upon its successes.”

“It has been a long process, but I believe we have created a great, new look for the league. I want to thank my fellow presidents for all their support during the process. We all believe in the value collegiate athletics brings to the total student experience, and we remain dedicated to making sure our league focuses on our students first.”