ATHERTON, Calif. — Following a multi-year transition and an extensive institutional effort involving nearly every area of the College, Menlo College has been granted full active membership in NCAA Division II, marking one of the most significant milestones in the history of Menlo Athletics.

The decision means the Oaks are eligible for the full benefits of NCAA Division II membership, including NCAA postseason championship competition beginning with the 2026-27 season.

"This is an extraordinary moment for Menlo College," said Vice President for Athletics Keith Spataro. "The process from application to full membership was challenging, which makes today even more meaningful. We believed Menlo belonged in NCAA Division II, we believed in what our institution has built, and we stayed committed to seeing this through."

For Menlo College President Steven A. Weiner, the milestone carries additional meaning as he enters his final year leading the College. "There are certain moments in the journey of a college that you know will be remembered long after you leave," Weiner said. "For me, this is one of those moments. To see Menlo become a full NCAA Division II institution during my final year as president is deeply meaningful. We launched this process more than three years ago, and I have watched how much work Keith Spataro and his team have devoted to this process over that time. I have also seen how many others across Menlo stepped forward to make it possible. This is a proud day for our student-athletes, coaching staff, and for everyone who calls Menlo home."

Menlo began its NCAA Division II membership process in 2023 after decades of competition in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The transition required a College-wide commitment to meet NCAA expectations across governance, compliance, academics, financial aid, student-athlete well-being, institutional control and athletics operations.

For Spataro, that makes the achievement much larger than Athletics. "I am incredibly proud of our coaches, staff and student-athletes, but this accomplishment reaches far beyond Athletics," Spataro said. "President Weiner and our executive leadership team, our faculty and staff across campus, including our Registrar, Admissions, Financial Aid, Student Success teams, were all vital to this work. Our Athletics Executive Team and Student-Athlete Leadership Council also took ownership of what NCAA membership asks of an institution. It required a College-wide commitment, and Menlo answered that challenge."

The milestone also represents the fulfillment of a promise made to Menlo student-athletes throughout the transition. "Our student-athletes came to Menlo believing in where we were going," Spataro said. "Our coaches recruited to that vision, and our staff worked toward it every day. They now have the opportunity to wear MENLO across their chest and compete for NCAA championships. That is an incredibly meaningful moment for our program."

The 2026-27 season also begins a new conference era for the Oaks.

Menlo now competes as a full member of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) in most of its NCAA-sponsored sports. Menlo men's and women's tennis will continue competing in the Pacific West Conference (PacWest), while men's volleyball and men's and women's wrestling will continue their affiliation with the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF).

Spataro also credited Menlo's conference partners and fellow athletics directors for helping guide the College throughout its NCAA transition. "I also want to thank our conference offices for the guidance they provided throughout this process," Spataro said. "The leadership and staffs of the PacWest, CCAA and MPSF have been tremendous partners to Menlo. I am especially grateful to my fellow athletics directors in the PacWest and CCAA who took my calls, answered questions, shared their experiences and supported us throughout this journey. There were a lot of people outside of Menlo who wanted to see us succeed, and they deserve to celebrate this moment as well."

Menlo supports 15 intercollegiate sports under NCAA governance: baseball; men's and women's basketball; men's and women's golf; men's and women's soccer; men's and women's tennis; men's and women's volleyball; softball; men's and women's wrestling; and women's flag football.

For the College, full NCAA membership closes one chapter and opens another.

"This belongs to everyone who kept showing up and doing the work," Spataro said. "There were a lot of people carrying this with us, including people whose names will never appear in a press release. I want them to know this moment belongs to them too."

"We have spent the last several years talking about where Menlo Athletics was going. Today, we do not have to talk about where we are going anymore."

"We're here. We're NCAA Division II. Now we get to see what we can do with it."

To read the full announcement from the NCAA regarding Division II membership, click here.