NCCAA II Nationals

Maranatha has been a part of the NCAA III for over ten years. Prior to 1997, we were only members of the National Christian College Athletic Association II. We are now dually affiliated, although when dates conflict, we are committed to D3. I will soon do a post on why Maranatha has chosen to be a part of the NCAA III. The answer has nothing to do with athletics.

Because of the date conflicts, the men's soccer team has been unble to participate in the NCCAA II national play-off since my junior season in 1995 when we lost in a regional semifinal to Moody Bible Institute (in a shoot-out after Jason Boe put on one of the greatest performances between the pipes that I have ever seen. We lost in the 7th round of PK's when one of our players shot over the crossbar. I won't tell you who it was... No, Sandy, it wasn't me...) There were several years when we could have done well at that level, especially 2000 when the men's team defeated the eventual national champions during the regular season 3-1 and 2001 when most of that squad returned. Last year the men's team was a late entry into the regional playoff when one of our conference matches was cancelled. It was our first appearance at the Midwest Regional since I have been the coach of the men's team. The Midwest region includes Northland Baptist, Moody Bible, Lincoln Christian, Grace Bible, Great Lakes Christian and Maranatha.

The women's side of the NCCAA II has only had a national tournament since 2003 and a national championship since 2005. Since 2003, our women's team has won the Midwest region, but has been unable to advance to the national championship because of date conflicts with the old Lake Michigan Conference and now the Northern Athletics Conference. I believe that our 2003 and 2006 teams would have had a good shot at winning that tournament. Our region orginally included Northland, Maranatha and Lincoln Christian and the region representative was determined through a regular season round robin schedule. Unfortunately, LCC dropped their women's program this year, hopefully, Grace and Moody can get their club teams off the ground.

That is the history. Here is the point: After a great deal of work and lobbying, the NCCAA II has moved their playoff dates in order to allow Maranatha and other D3 schools to participate in both the regional playoffs and the national tournament! The men can advance by playing Northland, Moody, Lincoln, and Great Lakes during the regular season and then winning the Midwest Regional being held at Northland this year. The women's road is both easier and harder... they must simply defeat Northland at Northland... on September 8th.

Here is the best part: the dates allow us to advance in the NAC playoffs and the NCCAA II playoffs! I can't wait. - C