ROME –The management council of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has given Shorter final approval to become a full active member of NCAA Division II as the result of a July 22 vote.

Shorter University president, Dr. Don Dowless, received confirmation of the decision through an official letter on July 23. In the letter the NCAA management council officially welcomed Shorter into active membership; stating, "On behalf of the NCAA Division II Membership Committee, I am pleased to inform you that your institution has been invited to begin active Division II membership starting September 1, 2014." With membership approved, the Hawks are now eligible to participate in the NCAA championships, given the ability to vote at the annual convention, and have access to the NCAA Division II enhancement fund.

The Hawks will take to the field for the first time as full NCAA members on August 30 when women's soccer travels to Dahlonega, Ga. to take on the Nighthawks at 1:00pm.

Shorter football will kick off its tenth season with a Thursday night showdown against football newcomer Paine College on September 4 at 7:30pm. Men's soccer and volleyball will begin their respective 2014 campaigns with games on Friday, September 5; with the Hawks traveling to Columbus, Ga. to take on Eckerd College and the Lady Hawks travel to Florence, S.C. to play Erskine College and Francis Marion University as part of the Francis Marion Invitational.