RFC Summer Semester--Mountain East Conference (MEC) Preview (NCAA Division II)

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2012 Final Standings (West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference [WVIAC])


What it is: The Mountain East Conference (MEC) became the newest member of the NCAA Division II ranks in February 2013, and will consist of schools in Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.  Most of the new league's members came over from what is the soon to be defunct West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC).  

In addition to the former members of the WVIAC, the MEC will also consist of two Ohio institutions: Notre Dame College, who will join the league from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), and Urbana University, as well as the University of Virginia's College at Wise.

As a new league, expect the members of the MEC to compete for an inaugural conference championship, and not much else.

Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)

1. Shepherd (8-3):  Perennial WVIAC powerhouse Rams hope to continue winning tradition in the MEC.


2. Concord (7-4):  Mountain Lions have a lot to prove after finishing in a three-way tie for second place (6-2) in the WVIAC last year.

3. Charleston (9-2):  Golden Eagles were not only a combined 10 points away from their first-ever unbeaten regular season, but also a likely berth to the NCAA Division II playoffs, in 2012.

4. Glenville State (6-5):  Pioneers will play 11 straight weeks without a bye in 2013.

5. West Liberty (6-5):  Hilltoppers have a tough row to hoe in a new league.

6. Fairmont State (4-6):  Fighting Falcons look to start fresh under new head coach Jason Woodman.

7. Notre Dame College (3-8): Falcons from Ohio also look to start over in a new conference.

8.  Urbana (7-4):  After finishing third (5-3) in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC), the Blue Knights are looking forward to the new challenge that's the MEC.

9. West Virginia Wesleyan (3-8):  Bobcats begin a new era in a new league with who else...a new head coach in George Shehl.

10.  West Virginia State (1-10):  Yellow Jackets have nowhere to go but up after a dismal 2012 campaign.

11. UVa-Wise (3-8):  Highland Cavaliers will fight an uphill battle as well.

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