THE MISSION OF THE CONFERENCE IS TO EMBRACE THE NCAA DIVISION III PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT AND RECOGNIZE THAT ATHLETIC PROGRAMS AND STUDENT-ATHLETES ARE INTEGRAL PARTS OF THE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE, TO CONDUCT ATHLETIC COMPETITIONS AMONG ITS MEMBERS AND DETERMINE CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS, TO FOSTER THE GROWTH OF LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES SO THEY MAY BE PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY. THE GOAL OF THE CONFERENCE IS TO SUPPORT STUDENT ATHLETES IN THEIR EFFORTS TO REACH HIGH LEVELS OF ACADEMIC AND ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE CONSISTENT WITH THE ACADEMIC GOALS OF OUR MEMBER INSTITUTIONS AND WITHOUT PROVIDING ATHLETICALLY RELATED AID. THE CONFERENCE STRIVES TO PROVIDE ALL SPONSORED TEAMS WITH ADEQUATE FACILITIES AND SUPPORT, COMPETENT COACHING WHERE FAIRNESS, OPENNESS, AND HONESTY ARE EXHIBITED, AND CHALLENGING COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITIES.