Lake Erie College became an active NCAA Division II member in 2009. Notre Dame College earned the same status in 2012.

Ursuline College took a major step toward joining the pair as the NCAA granted the Pepper Pike school active Division II status Friday. Ursuline becomes an active Division II member on Sept. 1.

"This is a great day, one that we have been working toward for years," Ursuline athletic director Cindy McKnight said in a statement. "There is no doubt this news will benefit our department and the College greatly, in particular our outstanding students. The work is not done as we will continue our pursuit of excellence on the playing surfaces while molding young women who are well-educated and sound citizens."

Urusline launched its athletic department in 1999 and started its application to join Division II in 2010. The all-women's school will add lacrosse as its 11th sport in 2013-14. Ursuline also sponsors basketball bowling, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.

Nine Ursuline teams will join the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, which will become the 24th active Division II conference in September. The lacrosse and swimming and diving programs are not joining the new conference.

Alderson-Broaddus (W.Va.), Cedarville (Ohio), Central State (Ohio), Davis & Elkins (W.Va.), Georgetown College (Ky.), Kentucky Wesleyan, Ohio Valley University, Salem International (Va.) and Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.) are also in the conference.

Two other Ohio schools -- Malone and Walsh -- were also granted NCAA Division II status Friday. Both schools will compete in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Lake Erie has been a GLIAC member since 2010.

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy