News and Reactions

CHICAGO -- UIC Athletics is outraged by the decision of the Horizon League Board to expel its student-athletes from winter and spring sport conference championships thus eliminating the opportunity for Flames to earn NCAA postseason automatic qualification.

"This decision is shocking and entirely inconsistent with the values of the Horizon League, which UIC helped establish and support for nearly three decades," said Director of Athletics Michael Lipitz.  "The League has chosen to punish our student-athletes as retribution for our decision to change conferences next academic year.  The League is hiding behind its bylaws rather than prioritizing the welfare of students."

Among the 32 Division I basketball conferences, 18 have pending membership changes.  The Horizon League is one of only three conferences that have chosen to punish student-athletes by removing their participation opportunities.  The overwhelming majority of conferences have acted honorably and permitted student-athletes to fully participate in their sports while their schools remain members of their respective leagues.

"I'm very surprised and disappointed by the Board's decision," said UIC Chancellor Michael Amiridis. "The explanation provided to us by the leadership of the Horizon League is weak and does not justify their action. I wonder if they have thought what message they are sending to their own student-athletes?"

UIC managed its membership deliberations with the Horizon League in a professional and transparent manner.  Upon making its decision to change leagues following the current academic year, UIC reiterated its commitment to a collegial transition.  UIC's sole request was that the Horizon League not punish its student-athletes by barring them from post-season League tournaments.  As a result of this decision, UIC intends to aggressively pursue all avenues to enable its student-athletes to fully participate in their 2022 winter and spring seasons.

"The Horizon League did not consult with its Faculty Athletics Representatives (FAR) in making this decision that directly and negatively impacts students," said UIC FAR Dr. Ulf Bronas.  "I sincerely doubt that my faculty colleagues at the Horizon League institutions are in agreement with this decision that is harmful to our students who have already suffered through two years of COVID-related issues. As Universities, it is our responsibility to protect the health and wellbeing of our young men and women who ask for nothing but the opportunity to compete for conference championships. It is incomprehensible that the Horizon League is willing to punish our students and inflict further stress on an already stressed student body. I intend to seek support from my fellow FARs at the Horizon League and ask for their support in reversing this decision."   

UIC student-athletes have admirably managed the physical and mental toll the past two pandemic years have had on their competitive opportunities.  The Horizon League's choice to expel them from its championships inflicts additional harm that is entirely avoidable.  

The Horizon League has also excluded UIC from participating in all routine league operations for the remainder of the spring semester.  This includes removing UIC medical personnel from the League's health and safety committee that is responsible for managing COVID-19 and other student-athlete wellness protocols, and dismissing UIC student-athlete leadership from the Horizon League Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).  UIC SAAC President and women's basketball senior Tiana Jackson was leading the League's "OneHL" initiative that celebrates unity, inclusion, and meaningful change through social justice issues.

The League prohibited UIC from presenting its case to the Board and denied it the opportunity to directly advocate on behalf of its student-athletes. The Commissioner of the Horizon League is Julie Roe Lach. The Horizon League Board of Directors is comprised of the chief executive officers of its member institutions.  Dr. Ashish Vaidya, President of Northern Kentucky University, serves as Board Chair.

Horizon League Board of Directors
Commissioner Julie Roe Lach
Horizon League

President Ashish Vaidya (Chair)
Northern Kentucky University
        
President Harlan Sands
Cleveland State University
                    
President Antoine Garibaldi
University of Detroit Mercy
             
President Nasser Paydar
Indiana University, Purdue University, Indianapolis            

President Ora Pescovitz
Oakland University
            
Chancellor Ronald Elsenbaumer
Purdue University Fort Wayne    

President Mary Ann Rafoth
Robert Morris University
        
Chancellor Michael Alexander
University of Wisconsin, Green Bay
        
Chancellor Mark Mone
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
            
President Sue Edwards
Wright State University
            
President Jim Tressel
Youngstown State University