What They’re Saying About Us

University of St. Thomas leaders hope move to Division I athletics will boost profile, appeal

Minneapolis Star Tribune
July 30, 2020

Excerpt: “University of St. Thomas leaders say the school’s big jump from Division III to Division I athletics won’t just bode well for their sports teams – it will help increase their academic and recruitment reach and attract more donors.”

St. Thomas Can Go D1; Minn. School was ousted from D3 league

ESPN.com (via The Associated Press)
July 15, 2020

Excerpt: "We are looking more like our national Catholic peers in being a comprehensive university that competes at a level that broadens our platform,'' St. Thomas president Julie Sullivan said. "So I think it's really quite consistent with the trajectory of the university."

St. Thomas president says Tommies move to Summit League, DI athletics ‘right thing at the right time’

The Forum
July 17, 2020

Excerpt: “When you look at the trajectory frankly of the Summit League, I think it kind of mirrors similar to the trajectory the University of St. Thomas has been on,” Esten said. “It’s an upwards mobility trajectory.”

St. Thomas embraces its Division I journey, despite uncertainties during the COVID-19 pandemic

Minneapolis-Star Tribune
July 17, 2020

Excerpt: “The budget might evolve, but St. Thomas has time on its side. Summit League Commissioner Tom Douple remembers starting this process 15 months ago, long before the pandemic, and it will continue beyond it.”

University of St. Thomas jumps from D-III to D-I

Axios
July 16, 2020

Excerpt: “When you look back at the evolution of our school over the last 40 or 50 years, it’s been very entrepreneurial in spirit – whether that’s going co-ed, moving from college to university, expanding to a second campus or adding a law school.”

St. Thomas makes an historic jump to Division I: Here’s all you need to know

The Athletic
July 16, 2020

Excerpt: “That’s really an intentional outcome of this move,” {Athletics Director Phil Esten} said. “We’ll be in markets like Southern California and New York and Florida and many many others that are important to us across the country.”

WATCH: NCAA approves St. Thomas jump to Division I

KSTP-TV
July 16, 2020

Excerpt: “This decision is really about the long-term future of St. Thomas.”

NCAA approves St. Thomas for unprecedented jump directly from Division III to Division I

CBSSports.com
July 16, 2020

Excerpt: “The 2011 and 2016 NCAA Division III men’s basketball champions are joining the Division I ranks started in the 2021-22 season.”

University of St. Thomas makes historic move from D-III to D-I

Fansided
July 20, 2020

Excerpt: “When you look at our institutional profile athletics aside, there are a number of private urban Catholic universities across the country that look a lot like St. Thomas.”

New opportunities, challenges for St. Thomas hockey in Division I

Minneapolis Star Tribune
July 24, 2020

Excerpt: “Suddenly, they're holding the reins of what will become the sixth program in Minnesota at college hockey’s highest level, competing with Gophers, Bulldogs, Huskies, Mavericks and Beavers.”

St. Thomas basketball coaches Johnny Tauer, Ruth Sinn see chance to succeed in D-I

Minneapolis Star-Tribune
July 18, 2020

Excerpt: “Our mission at St. Thomas is to maximize our potential. To really be our best,” Sinn said. “I think this is going to be a challenge. But we’re doing to learn, grow and embrace this challenge. … There are so many possibilities.”

St. Thomas men’s basketball could build a perennial winner at the D-I level … with mostly local athletes

St. Paul Pioneer Press
July 17, 2020

Excerpt: “And it’s no disrespect to the Dakota schools. … When you walk on that campus, that’s just ridiculous. It’s unbelievable. And now that you can get a full ride athletically … that’s a game changer.”

St. Thomas granted unprecedented NCAA DI waiver, set to join the Summit League

The Forum
July 15, 2020

Excerpt: “It’s obviously good news for The Summit League and NDSU and it’s something that we’ve been in favor of for the last number of years,” NDSU athletic director Matt Larsen said.”

St. Thomas receives waiver from NCAA, will join Summit League in 2021-22

Sioux Falls Argus Leader
July 15, 2020

Excerpt: “They are an outstanding addition bringing another successful and growing academic and athletic program to our conference. The Summit League is well positioned and excited to provide support to the Tommies during their transition process.”

UNO has a new conference rival as St. Thomas gets approval to join Summit League

Omaha World-Herald
July 15, 2020

Excerpt: “We are very excited about this positive development for St. Thomas and look forward to welcoming it into the Summit League,” UNO Athletic Director Trev Alberts said in a statement. “The school has a strong tradition in athletics, and we have no doubt that will continue with its reclassification to Division I.”