Northern Kentucky University (NKU), a program approximately 70 miles away from Wright State, officially made its entry into the Horizon League public Monday after its board of regents voted to join later this summer on July 1.
NKU now becomes the closest opponent WSU will face in the conference. The distance between the two universities will be a positive for student-athletes and fans, according to WSU Athletics Director Bob Grant.
“Their proximity will allow for less missed class time and less travel for our student-athletes, while also giving our fans a better opportunity to see the Raiders on the road,” Grant said.
NKU will bring 17 of its 19 sports to the league, with the exceptions being men’s and women’s swimming and diving. NKU is completing its transition to Division I after spending three years in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
NKU and WSU used to be regular Division II foes before WSU made the jump to Division I in 1987.
“I think we are always looking for the best competition to test ourselves, and I also think their proximity could potentially make for a nice rivalry,” Grant added.
After traveling to play NKU in January, WSU women’s basketball coach Mike Bradbury said the team “would be a top four team if they were in the Horizon League.”
Now that NKU becomes the Raiders' travel partner in men’s and women’s basketball, road trips can be scheduled easier, Bradbury said.
“Now there are 10 teams, so now everybody has a school within an hour or two,” Bradbury said. “Now you can make it where everybody goes and plays two games now on every road trip. It should make it easier and a lot less travel.”
The familiarity WSU has with NKU in women’s basketball and other sports further benefits WSU, according to Grant.
“We have already had played NKU in numerous sports such as men’s soccer, baseball and women’s basketball so we already have a relationship that will continue to grow,” Grant said.
Presidents from Horizon League institutions approved of the decision, including WSU President David Hopkins who praised the decision on Twitter Monday.
Horizon League Commissioner Jon LeCrone, a native of Vandalia, lauded NKU’s entrance into the league as well.
“Northern Kentucky University’s mission, vision and values align with the Horizon League,” LeCrone said. “We look forward to working with President Geoffrey Mearns, Director of Athletics Ken Bothof and his staff on behalf of NKU’s student-athletes. The Horizon League is adding a well-respected, growing athletics program and an aspirational university.”
