The objective of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is to develop student-athlete’s leadership skills through competitive athletics. The athletic program at Spalding University prepares young men and women for a life of meaningful professional work and service. The athletic experience emphasizes learning, good sportsmanship, discipline, teamwork, leadership and mutual respect. While success on the court or field is important, intercollegiate athletics also prepares the student-athlete for success in life beyond college, which is the ultimate goal. 

The athletic venue is a virtual classroom. In many ways, participation in a team sport is a practicum in cooperation, self-control, poise, commitment, respect for authority and selfless devotion to goals beyond individual success. Spalding seeks to establish and maintain an environment in which a student-athlete’s athletic activities are conducted as an integral part of his or her educational experience. Our athletic programs promote values, cultural diversity and gender equity among our student athletes and our entire Spalding community. Through an array of competitive opportunities for both men and women, Spalding develops student-athlete leaders through spirited competition.  

The Golden Eagles women's sports include basketball, soccer, volleyball, softball, cross-country, bowling, track and field, lacrosse and golf. The Golden Eagles men’s sports include basketball, soccer, baseball, cross-country, track and field, lacrosse and golf. 

For more information on participating in the Golden Eagles athletics program, please contact the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, (502) 873-4201, or visit www.spaldingathletics.com. 

Facilities 
The Spalding University Columbia Gym/Center building is home to the Spalding Athletic Department. The University Center houses all athletic offices for coaches and administrators, a student-lounge and study center, athletic training facilities, a fitness center, which serves the Spalding community, locker rooms, meeting rooms and hospitality areas. It also features the Derek Smith Gymnasium, which is home to our men’s and women’s basketball teams and our volleyball team. Our baseball team practices and competes at Derby City Field.  

Spalding University Athletic Complex 

910 South Eighth Street 
Louisville, KY 40203 

Located in the heart of downtown Louisville, Kentucky, The Spalding Athletic Complex, opened in 2019, is the home for Golden Eagles men's and women's soccer, softball, and beginning in 2021-22, men's and women's lacrosse. 
 
The state-of-the-art facility features two 74-yard by 120-yard multipurpose TriplePlayHP slit film synthetic turf playing surfaces. The north field serves as the primary soccer field and is lined for secondary field hockey use, while the south field serves as the primary lacrosse field and is lined for secondary soccer use. Both fields are equipped with lighting provided by MUSCO featuring the newest lighting technology utilizing LED-1150 Luminaire fixtures. 
 
The state-of-the-art softball facility measure 200’ to left, 220’ to center and 195’ to right, and is outfitted with a combination of TriplePlayHP slit film synthetic turf system that has an incorporated Spikezone in the clay areas and a dual fibered thatched synthetic turf system in the outfield for the best in aesthetics, ball performance and durability. The softball field also features MUSCO LED-1150 Luminaire fixtures. These fixtures are instant on/off with no warmup time and are providing a minimum of 70-foot candles in the infield and 50-foot candles in the outfield. Additional up-light fixtures were added to assist in up-lighting the bottom of the ball on pop-ups. 
 
Affiliations 

Spalding University is a full member of the NCAA Division-III. Member institutions of Division-III place the highest priority on the overall quality of the educational experience and on the students’ successful completion of their academic programs. Spalding is a member of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (www.sliac.org).  Our lacrosse programs are members of the Heartland Collegiate Lacrosse Conference and will compete in the SCAC (Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference). 

Compliance 
Spalding University strictly adheres to NCAA Division-III guidelines. In order for new students to compete in intercollegiate athletics at Spalding University, an incoming freshman or transfer student must meet the necessary standards to be admitted into the university. Unlike NCAA Divisions I and II, it is not necessary to file with the NCAA Clearinghouse to gain initial eligibility. 

Spalding student-athletes must remain in good academic standing to be eligible to compete in intercollegiate athletics. The following minimum standards must be met in order for a student to meet eligibility requirements for athletic participation: 

After 1 semester or 12 credit hours: Spalding GPA of 1.70 or above 
After 2 semesters or 24 credit hours: Spalding GPA of 1.80 or above 
After 3 semesters or 36 credit hours: Spalding GPA of 1.90 or above 
After 4 semesters or 48 credit hours: Spalding GPA of 2.00 or above 

After the fourth semester of attendance, a student-athlete must maintain a GPA of 2.00 or higher to remain eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics. Any student whose cumulative GPA drops below the above standards will be placed on probation. Students on probation are not eligible to compete in NCAA Division III athletics. In addition, student-athletes are expected to make consistent progress toward a degree during their time at the University. In order to complete the necessary number of credit hours to complete a degree at Spalding at an acceptable rate, students must complete 67% of all hours attempted. All attempted hours will be totaled and multiplied by 67% to determine the number of credit hours a student must have earned. Grades of P, W, I, F and transfer hours are counted as attempted hours, however grades of W, I, and F will NOT count as earned hours. Retaking courses will add to the attempted total but will count only once as an earned credit. Any student who fails to meet the minimum progress toward a degree requirement during an academic year is ineligible for participation during the entire following year. Any student who fails to pass 24 credit hours in an academic year will not be eligible to participate in athletics during the following academic year. 

All student-athletes are required to attend the NCAA Compliance Meeting at the beginning of each school year and to fill out all of the necessary forms. Each student is required to have a physical examination by a physician prior to participation in a sport. Each student must submit proof of primary health insurance prior to being allowed to practice or play a sport. If a student has no health insurance, they can purchase a student policy through the University at a reasonable cost. 

Spalding athletes are expected to adhere to all NCAA, University, and team rules and regulations. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action, including suspension and dismissal. 

Any questions regarding NCAA rules and regulations may be directed to Spalding University Director of Compliance, Adam Boyer (502) 873-4204 - email aboyer01@spalding.edu. 

SPALDING UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MISSION STATEMENT 

Spalding University is committed to the education and personal growth of all our students. 
Participation in intercollegiate athletics is a privilege and provides a dynamic forum to develop life skills. The athletic venue is a virtual classroom, a practicum in cooperation, self-control, poise, commitment, respect for authority, and selfless devotion to goals larger than individual success. 
The Spalding University department of intercollegiate athletics, through an array of competitive opportunities for both men and women, will develop leadership qualities in student-athletes through spirited competition, fair play, thorough preparation, teamwork, dedication, and self-sacrifice.