FLORENCE, Ala. -- In the 571 days since the University of North Alabama Board of Trustees voted to accept an invitation from the ASUN Conference and begin the transition of UNA to an NCAA Division I institution, the University and its athletic department have made major strides to position itself for success.

July 1, 2018, marks UNA's first official day as an NCAA Division I institution and athletic director Mark Linder says the last year and a half has been productive but passed quickly.

"We are tremendously excited as we embark into the ranks of Division I," Linder said. "Our staff has been preparing over the last 18 months. We take pride in the athletic tradition of UNA and are working hard to represent our alumni and fan base well. The ASUN is a fantastic Division I conference which will challenge us. However, we believe with the foundation built by those who came before us, along with our fantastic fan base, corporate partners, and donors, that we will be successful in our transition."

UNA will have a four-year transition into Division I and will not be eligible for NCAA post-season competition until the fall of 2022. The Lions will, however, be eligible to compete for conference championships immediately in all 13 of its sports in the ASUN. The UNA football team will be a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) independent in 2018 before becoming a member of the Big South Conference in 2019.

Division I
* Submitted application and application fee to NCAA for transition.
* UNA has been inserted in all ASUN meeting schedules and the University is hosting the 2018 ASUN Fall Meeting and Hall of Fame induction.
* UNA's athletic teams are included on all ASUN schedules for 2018-19.
* Fulfilled all financial obligations to-date with the ASUN.
* Secured a Division I football schedule that allowed UNA to be a counter in opponent's strength of schedule calculation.
* UNA has added two additional sports: women's golf and beach volleyball.

 Academics
* The academic standing of UNA's student-athletes has never been higher, with the department boasting an overall 3.00 GPA or higher in six of the last seven semesters.
* UNA recognized more than 200 students on Academic Night for having a 3.2 GPA or higher.
* The graduation rate for UNA's student-athletes has increased 20 percent.

Giving
* Financial giving to UNA athletics has increased by 54 percent since the Division I announcement.
* Sportsman's Club made a record gift of $100,000 to the athletic department.
* Sportsman's Club giving increased by 46 precent in 2017-18.
* UNA negotiated a direct adidas deal worth over $500,000.

Facilities
* Facility upgrades are in progress on Flowers Hall floor and seating, volleyball locker room, men and women's basketball and soccer coaches offices and tennis courts.
* New construction on sand volleyball courts.
* Purchase of a broadcast production trailer and updates to all athletic facilities to allow UNA to produce ESPN quality events broadcasts.

Staff
* Restructured administrative staff to be more efficient.
* Hired an Athletic Compliance and Academic Coordinator.
* Added additional assistant coaches for men and women's basketball.