, a small private college, will keep its NCAA Division II program, which is allowed to offer students athletic scholarships. Montclair State, a large public university, will keep its Division III program, which does not offer athletic scholarships, officials said.
“The NCAA has been notified, and they will continue to be kept informed as we work closely with Montclair to explore the longer-term vision for athletics,” Mulryan said. The rare merger of a private university and a large public university is expected to be finalized by June 30, though the complex deal must be approved by several entities, including the state Legislature, a bank and the schools’ accrediting agency.
“It is not a question of preferring one division over the other. Our intention is simply to provide some continuity for Bloomfield’s intercollegiate athletics programs,” said Mees, a spokesperson for Montclair State University. “Together we will design a differentiated student experience at Bloomfield College of Montclair State University with the goal of great outcomes for all learners. How intercollegiate athletics factors into that design is a long-term question we will tackle together,” Mees said.