Editing Ohio Athletic Conference

{{short description|Athletic conference with members in Ohio, USA}}
{{Infobox sports league
| name            = Ohio Athletic Conference
| title           = 
| logo            = Ohio athletic conf logo.png
| logo_size       = 200
| founded         = {{start date and age|1902}}
| association     = [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]]
| division        = [[NCAA Division III|Division III]]
| teams           = 10 (9 in 2025)
| sports          = 23
| mens            = 12
| womens          = 11
| region          = [[Ohio]]
| headquarters    = [[Westerville, Ohio]]
| commissioner    = Bethany Donnelly
| since           = 2024
| website         = [http://www.oac.org oac.org]
| map             = OAC-USA-states.png
| map_size        = 250
| color           = #f6ee27; {{box-shadow border|a|#000000|2px}}
| font_color      = #000000
}}

The '''Ohio Athletic Conference''' ('''OAC''') is an [[List of NCAA conferences|intercollegiate athletic conference]] which competes in the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]]'s [[NCAA Division III|Division III]]. All member institutions are located in [[Ohio]]. Formed in 1902, it is the third oldest athletic conference in the United States. In its history, 31 schools have been members of the OAC. The enrollments of the current ten member institutions range from around 1,000 to 4,500. Its current commissioner is Sarah Otey. Former commissioners include Mike Cleary, who was the first General Manager of a professional basketball team to hire an African American head coach, and would later run the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA). 

==History==
{{location map+ |Ohio |float=right |width=275 |caption=Locations of members in the Ohio Athletic Conference |places=
{{location map~ |Ohio |lat=41.371111 |long=-81.847778 |label=<div style="font-size:80%;">[[Baldwin Wallace University|Baldwin Wallace]]</div>|position=right}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |lat=39.954828 |long=-82.938141 |label=<div style="font-size:80%;">[[Capital University|Capital]]</div>|position=right}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |lat=41.116667 |long=-83.166667 |label=<div style="font-size:80%;">[[Heidelberg University (Ohio)|Heidelberg]]</div>|position=right}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |lat=41.491    |long=-81.53     |label=<div style="font-size:80%;">[[John Carroll University|John Carroll]]</div>|position=right}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |lat=39.416667 |long=-81.45     |label=<div style="font-size:80%;">[[Marietta College|Marietta]]</div>|position=top}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |lat=40.904722 |long=-81.110556 |label=<div style="font-size:80%;">[[University of Mount Union|Mount Union]]</div>|position=bottom}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |lat=39.995278 |long=-81.734444 |label=<div style="font-size:80%;">[[Muskingum University|Muskingum]]</div>|position=right}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |lat=40.76686  |long=-83.82491  |label=<div style="font-size:80%;">[[Ohio Northern University|Ohio Northern]]</div>|position=right}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |lat=40.12573  |long=-82.93613  |label=<div style="font-size:80%;">[[Otterbein University|Otterbein]]</div>|position=right}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |lat=39.445833 |long=-83.829167 |label=<div style="font-size:80%;">[[Wilmington College (Ohio)|Wilmington]]</div>|position=right}}
}}

The Ohio Athletic Conference was found in 1902 with six charter members—[[Case Western Reserve Spartans|Case Tech]], [[Kenyon Lords|Kenyon]], [[Oberlin Yeomen|Oberlin]], [[Ohio State Buckeyes|Ohio State]], [[Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops|Ohio Wesleyan]], and [[Western Reserve Red Cats|Western Reserve]].  By 1934, the conference reached an all-time high of twenty-four members,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://etd.ohiolink.edu/!etd.send_file?accession=osu1486662800883214&disposition=inline |title=Archived copy |access-date=2019-09-04 |archive-date=2019-09-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904113041/https://etd.ohiolink.edu/!etd.send_file%3Faccession%3Dosu1486662800883214%26disposition%3Dinline |url-status=dead }}</ref> seeing many schools come and go throughout the upcoming decades.  By 2000, the conference solidified to its current form with the addition of its final school, [[Wilmington Fightin' Quakers|Wilmington]], to ten members.

On January 18, 2024, [[John Carroll University]] announces departure from the OAC to the [[North Coast Athletic Conference]] (NCAC), beginning in the 2025–26 academic year.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://jcusports.com/news/2024/1/18/john-carroll-university-joins-north-coast-athletic-conference-ncac.aspx|title=John Carroll University Joins North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC)|date=January 18, 2024|access-date=January 18, 2024}}</ref>

===Conference timeline===
{{location map+ |Ohio |float=right |width=275 |caption=Historical membership of the OAC: current members in red and former members in steel. |places=
{{location map~ |Ohio |lat=41.371111 |long=-81.847778 |link=Baldwin Wallace University}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |lat=39.954828 |long=-82.938141 |link=Capital University}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |lat=41.116667 |long=-83.166667 |link=Heidelberg University (Ohio)}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |lat=41.491    |long=-81.53     |link=John Carroll University}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |lat=39.416667 |long=-81.45     |link=Marietta College}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |lat=40.904722 |long=-81.110556 |link=University of Mount Union}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |lat=39.995278 |long=-81.734444 |link=Muskingum University}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |lat=40.76686  |long=-83.82491  |link=Ohio Northern University}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |lat=40.12573  |long=-82.93613  |link=Otterbein University}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |lat=39.445833 |long=-83.829167 |link=Wilmington College (Ohio)}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |mark=Steel pog.svg |lat=41.075235 |long=-81.511538 |link=University of Akron}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |mark=Steel pog.svg |lat=40.861667 |long=-82.323056 |link=Ashland University}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |mark=Steel pog.svg |lat=41.38     |long=-83.64     |link=Bowling Green State University}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |mark=Steel pog.svg |lat=41.50416  |long=-81.60845  |link=Case Institute of Technology}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |mark=Steel pog.svg |lat=40.0722   |long=-82.5225   |link=Denison University}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |mark=Steel pog.svg |lat=41.310255 |long=-81.146145 |link=Hiram College}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |mark=Steel pog.svg |lat=41.146411 |long=-81.341744 |link=Kent State University}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |mark=Steel pog.svg |lat=39.511905 |long=-84.734674 |link=Miami University}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |mark=Steel pog.svg |lat=40.376389 |long=-82.395833 |link=Kenyon College}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |mark=Steel pog.svg |lat=41.292929 |long=-82.218576 |link=Oberlin College}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |mark=Steel pog.svg |lat=40        |long=-83.0145   |link=Ohio State University}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |mark=Steel pog.svg |lat=39.3275   |long=-82.1      |link=Ohio University}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |mark=Steel pog.svg |lat=40.2967   |long=-83.0667   |link=Ohio Wesleyan University}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |mark=Steel pog.svg |lat=39.132024 |long=-84.515548 |link=University of Cincinnati}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |mark=Steel pog.svg |lat=41.657716 |long=-83.61366  |link=University of Toledo}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |mark=Steel pog.svg |lat=41.507886 |long=-81.609085 |link=Western Reserve University}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |mark=Steel pog.svg |lat=39.93314  |long=-83.81415  |link=Wittenberg University}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |mark=Steel pog.svg |lat=40.81167  |long=-81.935494 |link=The College of Wooster}}
{{location map~ |Ohio |mark=Steel pog.svg |lat=39.14868  |long=-84.47799  |link=Xavier University}}

}}

* 1902 – The Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) was founded. Charter members included [[Case Western Reserve University|Case Institute of Technology]], [[Kenyon College]], [[Oberlin College]], [[Ohio State University]], [[Ohio Wesleyan University]] and [[Case Western Reserve University|Western Reserve University]], beginning the 1902–03 academic year.
* 1907 – [[Denison University]], [[Heidelberg University (Ohio)|Heidelberg College]] (now Heidelberg University) and the [[College of Wooster]] joined the OAC in the 1907–08 academic year.
* 1909 – [[Wittenberg University|Wittenberg College]] (now Wittenberg University) joined the OAC in the 1909–10 academic year.
* 1910 – The [[University of Cincinnati]] and [[Ohio University]] joined the OAC in the 1910–11 academic year.
* 1911 – [[Miami University|Miami University of Ohio]] joined the OAC in the 1911–12 academic year.
* 1912 – Ohio State left the OAC after the 1911–12 academic year.
* 1914 – [[University of Mount Union|Mount Union College]] (now the University of Mount Union) joined the OAC in the 1914–15 academic year.
* 1915 – The [[University of Akron]] and [[Baldwin Wallace University|Baldwin Wallace College]] (now Baldwin Wallace University) joined the OAC in the 1915–16 academic year.
* 1916 – [[Ohio Northern University]] joined the OAC in the 1916–17 academic year.
* 1919 – Baldwin Wallace left the OAC after the 1918–19 academic year.
* 1920 – [[Hiram College]] joined the OAC in the 1920–21 academic year.
* 1921 – [[Otterbein University|Otterbein College]] (now Otterbein University) and [[Xavier University|St. Xavier College]] (now Xavier University) joined the OAC in the 1921–22 academic year.
* 1922 – [[Muskingum University|Muskingum College]] (now Muskingum University) joined the OAC in the 1922–23 academic year.
* 1923 – Baldwin Wallace re-joined the OAC for a second time in the 1923–24 academic year.
* 1924 – Cincinnati left the OAC after the 1923–24 academic year.
* 1926 – [[Marietta College]] joined the OAC in the 1926–27 academic year.
* 1927 – [[Capital University]] joined the OAC in the 1927–28 academic year.
* 1928 – Denison, Miami, Ohio, Ohio Wesleyan and Wittenberg left the OAC to form the [[Buckeye Conference]], alongside Cincinnati (who left 4 years prior), after the 1927–28 academic year.
* 1931 – [[Ashland University|Ashland College]] (now Ashland University) joined the OAC in the 1931–32 academic year.
* 1932 – Western Reserve left the OAC after the 1931–32 academic year.
* 1932 – [[John Carroll University]], [[Kent State University|Kent State College]] (now Kent State University) and [[University of Toledo|Toledo University]] (now the University of Toledo) joined the OAC in the 1932–33 academic year.
* 1933 – [[Bowling Green State University|Bowling Green State College]] (now Bowling Green State University) joined the OAC, with Denison re-joining for a second time as well, in the 1933–34 academic year.
* 1934 – Wittenberg re-joined the OAC for a second time in the 1934–35 academic year.
* 1935 – Hiram left the OAC after the 1934–35 academic year.
* 1936 – Baldwin Wallace, Case Tech, John Carroll, Toledo and Xavier were suspended from the OAC for a violation of the opening date of football practice, all of them (except Xavier) were re-instated back the following school year.
* 1936 – Akron and Xavier left the OAC after the 1935–36 academic year.
* 1942 – Bowling Green State left the OAC after the 1941–42 academic year.
* 1947 – Ohio Wesleyan re-joined the OAC for a second time in the 1947–48 academic year.
* 1944 – Akron re-joined the OAC for a second time in the 1944–45 academic year, with football re-joining in the 1948 fall season (1948–49 academic year).
* 1947 – Ohio Northern left the OAC after the 1946–47 academic year.
* 1947 – Ohio Wesleyan re-joined the OAC for a second time in the 1947–48 academic year.
* 1948 – Ashland and Case Tech, alongside Baldiwn Wallace for a second time, left the OAC after the 1947–48 academic year.
* 1949 – John Carroll and Toledo left the OAC after the 1948–49 academic year.
* 1951 – Kent State left the OAC after the 1950–51 academic year.
* 1951 – Hiram re-joined the OAC for a second time in the 1951–52 academic year.
* 1961 – Baldwin Wallace re-joined the OAC for a third time in the 1961–62 academic year.
* 1966 – Akron left the OAC for a second time after the 1965–66 academic year.
* 1971 – Hiram left the OAC for a second time after the 1970–71 academic year.
* 1973 – Ohio Northern re-joined the OAC for a second time in the 1973–74 academic year.
* 1984 – Kenyon, Oberlin and Wooster left the OAC, alongside Denison and Ohio Wesleyan for a second time, to form the [[North Coast Athletic Conference]] (NCAC) after the 1983–84 academic year.
* 1989 – Wittenberg left the OAC for a second time after the 1988–89 academic year.
* 1989 – Hiram re-joined the OAC for a third time, alongside John Caroll who re-joined for a second time, both effective in the 1989–90 academic year.
* 1999 – Hiram left the OAC for a third time after the 1998–99 academic year.
* 2000 – [[Wilmington College (Ohio)|Wilmington College of Ohio]] joined the OAC in the 2000–01 academic year.
* 2011 – [[Defiance College]] joined the OAC as an associate member for men's and women's swimming and diving in the 2011–12 academic year.
* 2012 – [[Transylvania University]] joined the OAC as an associate member for men's and women's swimming and diving in the 2012–13 academic year.
* 2015 – [[Manchester University (Indiana)|Manchester University]] joined the OAC as an associate member for men's and women's swimming and diving in the 2015–16 academic year.
* 2024 – Defiance left the OAC and the [[NCAA Division III]] ranks as an affiliate member for men's and women's swimming and diving to join the [[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics]] (NAIA) and the [[Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference]] (WHAC), beginning the 2024–25 academic year.
* 2025 – John Carroll will leave the OAC to join the NCAC, beginning the 2025–26 academic year.

==Member schools==
===Current members===
The OAC currently has ten full members, all are [[Private university|private]] schools:

{| class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! Institution
! Location{{efn|group=full|All cities are located within the State of Ohio.}}
! Founded
! Affiliation
! Enrollment
! Nickname
! Joined
! class="unsortable"|Colors
|-
| '''[[Baldwin Wallace University]]'''
| [[Berea, Ohio|Berea]]
| 1845
| Nonsectarian
| 3,220
| [[Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets|Yellow Jackets]]
| 1915;<br />1923;{{efn|group=full|Baldwin–Wallace left the OAC after the 1918–19 school year, but returned in the 1923–24 school year.}}<br />1961{{efn|group=full|Baldwin–Wallace left the OAC again after the 1947–48 school year, but returned again effective in the 1961–62 school year.}}
| {{color box|#3D2D1F|border=silver}} {{color box|#FFCC33|border=silver}}
|-
| '''[[Capital University]]'''
| [[Bexley, Ohio|Bexley]]
| 1830
| [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America|Lutheran ELCA]]
| 2,617 
| [[Capital Comets|Comets]]
| 1927
| {{color box|#380982|border=silver}} {{color box|white|border=silver}} 
|-
| '''[[Heidelberg University (Ohio)|Heidelberg University]]'''
| [[Tiffin, Ohio|Tiffin]]
| 1850
| [[United Church of Christ]]
| 1,086
| [[Heidelberg Student Princes|Student Princes]]
| 1907
| {{color box|#C22032|border=silver}} {{color box|#E45424|border=silver}} {{color box|#141414|border=silver}} 
|-bgcolor=#ffa0a0
| '''[[John Carroll University]]'''
| [[University Heights, Ohio|University Heights]]
| 1886{{efn|group=full|Founded as St. Ignatius College in [[Cleveland]].}}
| [[Catholic Church|Catholic]]<br />{{small|([[Society of Jesus|Jesuit]])}}
| 2,922
| [[John Carroll Blue Streaks|Blue Streaks]]
| 1932;<br />1989{{efn|group=full|John Carroll left the OAC after the 1948–49 school year, but returned effective in the 1989–90 school year.}}
| {{color box|#0A4068|border=silver}} {{color box|#E9B820|border=silver}}
|-
| '''[[Marietta College]]'''
| [[Marietta, Ohio|Marietta]]
| 1835
| Nonsectarian
| 1,198
| [[Marietta Pioneers|Pioneers]]
| 1926
| {{color box|#00205B|border=silver}} {{color box|white|border=silver}}
|-
| {{sort|Mount Union|'''[[University of Mount Union]]'''}}
| [[Alliance, Ohio|Alliance]]
| 1846
| Nonsectarian
| 2,130
| [[Mount Union Purple Raiders|Purple Raiders]]
| 1914
| {{color box|#752F8A|border=silver}} {{color box|white|border=silver}} 
|-
| '''[[Muskingum University]]'''
| [[New Concord, Ohio|New Concord]]
| 1837
| [[Presbyterian Church (USA)|Presbyterian]]
| 2,117
| [[Muskingum Fighting Muskies|Fighting Muskies]]
| 1922
| {{color box|#DB0A5B|border=silver}} {{color box|black|border=silver}} 
|-
| '''[[Ohio Northern University]]'''
| [[Ada, Ohio|Ada]]
| 1871
| [[United Methodist Church|United Methodist]]
| 3,015
| [[Ohio Northern Polar Bears|Polar Bears]]
| 1916;<br />1973{{efn|group=full|Ohio Northern left the OAC after the 1948–49 school year, but returned effective in the 1973–74 school year.}}
| {{color box|#F26B27|border=silver}} {{color box|#333132|border=silver}} {{color box|white|border=silver}} 
|-
| '''[[Otterbein University]]'''
| [[Westerville, Ohio|Westerville]]
| 1847
| United Methodist
| 3,080
| [[Otterbein Cardinals|Cardinals]]
| 1921
| {{color box|#C79A48|border=silver}} {{color box|#E51B24|border=silver}} 
|-
| '''[[Wilmington College (Ohio)|Wilmington College]]'''
| [[Wilmington, Ohio|Wilmington]]
| 1870
| [[Quakers]]
| 1,046
| [[Wilmington Quakers|Quakers]]
| 2000
| {{color box|#024E43|border=silver}} {{color box|white|border=silver}} 
|}

;Notes:
{{notelist|group=full}}

===Former members===
The OAC had 20 former full members, all but seven were [[Private university|private]] schools:

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center"
! Institution
! Location{{efn|group=former|All cities are located within the State of Ohio.}}
! Founded
! Affiliation
! Enrollment
! Nickname
! Joined
! Left
! class="unsortable" | Colors
! Current<br />conference
|-
| {{sort|Akron|'''[[University of Akron]]'''}}{{efn|group=former|Akron left the OAC after the 1935–36 school year, but returned in the 1944–45 school year before leaving for good after the 1965–66 school year.}}
| [[Akron, Ohio|Akron]]
| 1870
| Public
| 18,730
| [[Akron Zips|Zips]]
| 1915;<br />1944
| 1936;<br />1966
| {{color box|#041e42|border=silver}} {{color box|#a89968|border=silver}}
| [[Mid-American Conference|Mid-American (MAC)]]{{efn|group=former|name=FBS|Currently an [[NCAA Division I]] [[NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision|Football Bowl Subdivision]] athletic conference.}}
|-
| '''[[Ashland University]]'''
| [[Ashland, Ohio|Ashland]]
| 1878
| [[Brethren Church|Brethren]]
| 6,626
| [[Ashland Eagles|Eagles]]
| 1931
| 1948
| {{color box|#5c068c|border=silver}} {{color box|#ffc72c|border=silver}}
| [[Great Midwest Athletic Conference|Great Midwest (G-MAC)]]{{efn|group=former|name=D2|Currently an [[NCAA Division II]] athletic conference.}}
|-
| '''[[Bowling Green State University]]'''
| [[Bowling Green, Ohio|Bowling Green]]
| 1910
| Public
| 17,540
| [[Bowling Green Falcons|Falcons]]
| 1933
| 1942
| {{color box|#4f2c1d|border=silver}} {{color box|#ff7300|border=silver}}
| [[Mid-American Conference|Mid-American (MAC)]]{{efn|group=former|name=FBS}}
|-
| '''[[Case Western Reserve University|Case Institute of Technology]]'''{{efn|group=former|name=CWRU|Case Tech and Western Reserve merged with to form Case Western Reserve University in 1967. However, their athletic programs continued to operate separately until after the 1969–70 school year.}}
| [[Cleveland]]
| 1880
| Nonsectarian
| N/A
| various{{efn|group=former|name=Case|Case Tech's nicknames were the following: Scientists from 1918–19 to 1939–40; and Rough Riders from 1940–41 to 1970–71.}}
| 1902
| 1948
| {{color box|#321414|border=silver}} {{color box|white|border=silver}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://case.edu/its/archives/Sports/teams.htm|title = Team colors, mascots, names}}</ref>
| [[University Athletic Association|University (UAA)]]{{efn|group=former|name=CWRU}}
|-
| {{sort|Cincinnati|'''[[University of Cincinnati]]'''}}
| [[Cincinnati]]
| 1819
| Public
| 45,949
| [[Cincinnati Bearcats|Bearcats]]
| 1910
| 1924
| {{color box|#e00122|border=silver}} {{color box|black|border=silver}}
| [[Big 12 Conference|Big 12]]{{efn|group=former|name=FBS}}
|-
| {{sort|Dayton|'''[[University of Dayton]]'''}}
| [[Dayton, Ohio|Dayton]]
| 1850
| [[Catholic Church|Catholic]]<br />{{small|([[Society of Mary (Marianists)|Marianist]])}}
| 11,241
| [[Dayton Flyers|Flyers]]
| 1926
| 1934
| {{color box|#d70036|border=silver}} {{color box|#002f87|border=silver}}
| [[Atlantic 10 Conference|Atlantic 10 (A-10)]]{{efn|group=former|name=D1|Currently an [[NCAA Division I]] non-football athletic conference.}}
|-
| '''[[Denison University]]'''{{efn|group=former|Denison left the OAC after the 1927–28 school year, but rejoined in the 1933–34 school year before leaving for good after the 1983–84 school year.}}
| [[Granville, Ohio|Granville]]
| 1831
| Nonsectarian
| 2,100
| [[Denison Big Red|Big Red]]
| 1907;<br />1933
| 1928;<br />1984
| {{color box|#C8032B|border=silver}} {{color box|white|border=silver}}
| [[North Coast Athletic Conference|North Coast (NCAC)]]
|-
| '''[[Hiram College]]'''{{efn|group=former|Hiram first left the OAC after the 1934–35 school year, but rejoined in the 1951–52 school year. It left the OAC again after the 1970–71 school year, but returned again in the 1989–90 school year before leaving for good after the 1998–99 school year.}}
| [[Hiram, Ohio|Hiram]]
| 1850
| [[Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)|Disciples of Christ]]
| 1,395
| [[Hiram Terriers|Terriers]]
| 1920;<br />1951;<br />1989
| 1935;<br />1971;<br />1999
| {{color box|#990000|border=silver}} {{color box|#011F5B|border=silver}}
| [[North Coast Athletic Conference|North Coast (NCAC)]]
|-
| '''[[Kent State University]]'''
| [[Kent, Ohio|Kent]]
| 1910
| Public
| 28,122
| [[Kent State Golden Flashes|Golden Flashes]]
| 1932
| 1951
| {{color box|#002664|border=silver}} {{color box|#efab00|border=silver}}
| [[Mid-American Conference|Mid-American (MAC)]]{{efn|group=former|name=FBS}}
|-
| '''[[Kenyon College]]'''
| [[Gambier, Ohio|Gambier]]
| 1824
| [[Anglican Communion|Episcopal/Anglican]]
| 1,640
| [[Kenyon Lords|Lords]] &<br />[[Kenyon Ladies|Ladies]]
| 1902
| 1984
| {{color box|#492F92|border=silver}} {{color box|white|border=silver}}
| [[North Coast Athletic Conference|North Coast (NCAC)]]
|-
| '''[[Miami University]]'''
| [[Oxford, Ohio|Oxford]]
| 1809
| Public
| 19,933
| [[Miami RedHawks|RedHawks]]{{efn|group=former|During Miami's tenure in the OAC, the school had no established nickname; "Boys", "Big Reds", and "Red and White" were used interchangeably. "Redskins" made its first appearance in 1928; by 1931, that nickname became official. Miami (OH) has been competing as the RedHawks since the 1997–98 school year.}}
| 1911
| 1928
| {{color box|#b61e2e|border=silver}} {{color box|white|border=silver}}
| [[Mid-American Conference|Mid-American (MAC)]]{{efn|group=former|name=FBS}}
|-
| '''[[Oberlin College]]'''
| [[Oberlin, Ohio|Oberlin]]
| 1833
| Nonsectarian
| 2,850
| [[Oberlin Yeomen|Yeomen]] &<br />[[Oberlin Yeowomen|Yeowomen]]
| 1902
| 1984
| {{color box|#cf102d|border=silver}} {{color box|#ffc72c|border=silver}}
| [[North Coast Athletic Conference|North Coast (NCAC)]]
|-
| {{sort|Ohio State|'''[[Ohio State University]]'''}}
| [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]]
| 1870
| Public
| 61,369
| [[Ohio State Buckeyes|Buckeyes]]
| 1902
| 1912
| {{color box|#ce0f3d|border=silver}} {{color box|#b0b7bc|border=silver}}
| [[Big Ten Conference|Big Ten]]{{efn|group=former|name=FBS}}
|-
| {{sort|Ohio|'''[[Ohio University]]'''}}{{efn|group=former|Ohio adopts conference rules in 1909 that go into effect for the 1910 fall season (1910–11 school year).{{citation |title=Ohio University Football |newspaper=Cincinnati Enquirer |location=Cincinnati, OH |date=September 27, 1909 |page=4}}}}
| [[Athens, Ohio|Athens]]
| 1804
| Public
| 28,750
| [[Ohio Bobcats|Bobcats]]
| 1910
| 1925
| {{color box|#00694e|border=silver}} {{color box|white|border=silver}}
| [[Mid-American Conference|Mid-American (MAC)]]{{efn|group=former|name=FBS}}
|-
| {{sort|Ohio Wesleyan|'''[[Ohio Wesleyan University]]'''}}{{efn|group=former|Ohio Wesleyan left the OAC after the 1927–28 school year, but rejoined in the 1947–48 school year before leaving for good after the 1983–84 school year.}}
| [[Delaware, Ohio|Delaware]]
| 1842
| United Methodist{{efn|group=former|Paused affiliation with the [[United Methodist Church]] in 2019.}}
| 1,850
| [[Ohio Wesleyan Battlin' Bishops|Battlin' Bishops]]
| 1902;<br />1947
| 1928;<br />1984
| {{color box|red|border=silver}} {{color box|black|border=silver}}
| [[North Coast Athletic Conference|North Coast (NCAC)]]
|-
| {{sort|Toledo|'''[[University of Toledo]]'''}}
| [[Toledo, Ohio|Toledo]]
| 1872
| Public
| 20,304
| [[Toledo Rockets|Rockets]]
| 1932
| 1947
| {{color box|#003e7e|border=silver}} {{color box|#ffd200|border=silver}}
| [[Mid-American Conference|Mid-American (MAC)]]{{efn|group=former|name=FBS}}
|-
| '''[[Case Western Reserve University|Western Reserve University]]'''{{efn|group=former|name=CWRU}}
| [[Cleveland]]
| 1826
| Nonsectarian
| N/A
| various{{efn|group=former|name=WR|Western Reserve's nicknames were the following: Pioneers from 1920–21 to 1927–28; and Red Cats from 1928–29 to 1970–71.}}
| 1902
| 1932
| {{color box|#FF2400|border=silver}} {{color box|white|border=silver}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://case.edu/its/archives/Sports/teams.htm|title = Team colors, mascots, names}}</ref>
| [[University Athletic Association|University (UAA)]]{{efn|group=former|name=CWRU}}
|-
| '''[[Wittenberg University]]'''{{efn|group=former|Wittenberg left the OAC after the 1927–28 school year, but rejoined in the 1934–35 school year before leaving for good after the 1988–89 school year.}}
| [[Springfield, Ohio|Springfield]]
| 1845
| [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America|Lutheran ELCA]]
| 2,050
| [[Wittenberg Tigers|Tigers]]
| 1909;<br />1934
| 1928;<br />1989
| {{color box|#DD0000|border=silver}} {{color box|white|border=silver}}
| [[North Coast Athletic Conference|North Coast (NCAC)]]
|-
| {{sort|Wooster|'''[[The College of Wooster]]'''}}
| [[Wooster, Ohio|Wooster]]
| 1866
| Nonsectarian
| 1,827
| [[Wooster Fighting Scots|Fighting Scots]]
| 1907
| 1984
| {{color box|#E3A31D|border=silver}} {{color box|black|border=silver}}
| [[North Coast Athletic Conference|North Coast (NCAC)]]
|-
| '''[[Xavier University]]'''
| [[Cincinnati]]
| 1831
| Catholic<br>{{small|([[Jesuits|Jesuit]])}}
| 7,112
| [[Xavier Musketeers|Musketeers]]
| 1921
| 1936
| {{color box|#0c2340|border=silver}} {{color box|white|border=silver}} {{color box|#9ea2a2|border=silver}}
| [[Big East Conference|Big East]]{{efn|group=former|name=D1}}
|}

;Notes:
{{notelist|group=former}}

===Former associate members===
The OAC had three former associate members, all [[Private university|private]] schools. This included the only schools outside of Ohio that had any level of OAC membership.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center"
! Institution
! Location
! Founded
! Affiliation
! Enrollment
! Nickname
! Joined
! Left
! class="unsortable" | Colors
! OAC<br />sport
! Primary<br />conference
|-
| '''[[Defiance College]]'''
| [[Defiance, Ohio]]
| 1850
| [[United Church of Christ]]
| 1,000
| [[Defiance Yellow Jackets|Yellow Jackets]]
| 2011–12
| 2015–16
| {{color box|#7300E6|border=silver}} {{color box|yellow|border=silver}}
| rowspan=3 | men's swimming & diving<br />women's swimming & diving
| [[Wolverine–Hoosier Athletic Conference|Wolverine–Hoosier (WHAC)]]{{efn|group=fass|name=NAIA|Currently an [[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics|NAIA]] athletic conference.}}
|-
| '''[[Manchester University (Indiana)|Manchester University]]'''
| [[North Manchester, Indiana]]
| 1860
| [[Church of the Brethren]]
| 1,250
| [[Manchester Spartans|Spartans]]
| 2015–16
| rowspan=2 |2017–2018
| {{color box|black|border=silver}} {{color box|Gold|border=silver}}
| rowspan=2 | [[Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference|Heartland (HCAC)]]
|-
| '''[[Transylvania University]]'''
| [[Lexington, Kentucky]]
| 1780
| [[Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)|Disciples of Christ]]
| 1,120
| [[Transylvania Pioneers|Pioneers]]
| 2012–13
| {{color box|#B20D35|border=silver}}
|}

;Notes:
{{notelist|group=fass}}

===Membership timeline===
<timeline>
DateFormat = yyyy
ImageSize  = width:900 height:auto barincrement:20
Period     = from:1902 till:2027
TimeAxis   = orientation:horizontal
PlotArea   = right:30 left:0 bottom:50 top:5

Colors = id:barcolor value:rgb(0.99,0.7,0.7)
         id:line     value:black
         id:bg       value:white

PlotData=

  width:15 textcolor:black shift:(5,-5) anchor:from fontsize:s

  bar:1 color:powderblue  from:1902 till:1948 text:[[Case Institute of Technology|Case Tech]] (1902–1948)

  bar:2 color:powderblue  from:1902 till:1984 text:[[Kenyon College|Kenyon]] (1902–1984)

  bar:3 color:powderblue  from:1902 till:1984 text:[[Oberlin College|Oberlin]] (1902–1984)

  bar:4 color:powderblue  from:1902 till:1912 text:[[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] (1902–1912)

  bar:5 color:powderblue  from:1902 till:1928 text:[[Ohio Wesleyan University|Ohio Wesleyan]] (1902–1928)
  bar:5 color:powderblue  from:1947 till:1984 text: (1947–1984)

  bar:6 color:powderblue  from:1902 till:1932 text:[[Western Reserve University|Western Reserve]] (1902–1932)

  bar:7 color:powderblue  from:1907 till:1928 text:[[Denison University|Denison]] (1907–1928)
  bar:7 color:powderblue  from:1933 till:1984 text:(1933–1984)

  bar:8 color:powderblue  from:1907 till:end text:[[Heidelberg University (Ohio)|Heidelberg]] (1907–present)

  bar:9 color:powderblue  from:1907 till:1984 text:[[The College of Wooster|Wooster]] (1907–1984)

  bar:10 color:powderblue  from:1909 till:1928 text:[[Wittenberg University|Wittenberg]] (1909–1928)
  bar:10 color:powderblue  from:1934 till:1989 text:(1934–1989)

  bar:11 color:powderblue  from:1910 till:1924 text:[[University of Cincinnati|Cincinnati]] (1910–1924)

  bar:12 color:powderblue  from:1910 till:1928 text:[[Ohio University|Ohio]] (1910–1928)

  bar:13 color:powderblue  from:1911 till:1928 text:[[Miami University|Miami (Oh.)]] (1911–1928)

  bar:14 color:powderblue  from:1914 till:end text:[[University of Mount Union|Mount Union]] (1914–present)

  bar:15 color:powderblue  from:1915 till:1936 text:[[University of Akron|Akron]] (1915–1936)
  bar:15 color:powderblue  from:1944 till:1966 text:(1944–1966)

  bar:16 color:powderblue  from:1915 till:1919 text:[[Baldwin Wallace University|Baldwin Wallace]] (1915–1919; 1923–1948)
  bar:16 color:powderblue  from:1923 till:1948 text:
  bar:16 color:powderblue  from:1961 till:end text:(1961–present)

  bar:17 color:powderblue  from:1916 till:1947 text:[[Ohio Northern University|Ohio Northern]] (1916–1947)
  bar:17 color:powderblue  from:1973 till:end text:(1973–present)

  bar:18 color:powderblue  from:1920 till:1935 text:[[Hiram College|Hiram]] (1920–1935)
  bar:18 color:powderblue  from:1951 till:1971 text:(1951–1971)
  bar:18 color:powderblue  from:1989 till:1999 text:(1989–1999)

  bar:19 color:powderblue  from:1921 till:end text:[[Otterbein College|Otterbein]] (1921–present)

  bar:20 color:powderblue  from:1921 till:1936 text:[[Xavier University|Xavier (Oh.)]] (1921–1936)

  bar:21 color:powderblue  from:1922 till:end text:[[Muskingum University|Muskingum]] (1922–present)

  bar:22 color:powderblue  from:1926 till:1934 text:[[University of Dayton|Dayton]] (1926–1934)

  bar:23 color:powderblue  from:1926 till:end text:[[Marietta College|Marietta]] (1926–present)

  bar:24 color:powderblue  from:1927 till:end text:[[Capital University|Capital]] (1927–present)

  bar:25 color:powderblue  from:1931 till:1948 text:[[Ashland University|Ashland]] (1931–1948)

  bar:26 color:powderblue  from:1932 till:1949 text:[[John Carroll University|John Carroll]] (1932–1949)
  bar:26 color:powderblue  from:1989 till:2025 text: (1989–2025)

  bar:27 color:powderblue  from:1932 till:1951 text:[[Kent State University|Kent State]] (1932–1951)

  bar:28 color:powderblue  from:1932 till:1949 text:[[University of Toledo|Toledo]] (1932–1949)

  bar:29 color:powderblue  from:1933 till:1942 text:[[Bowling Green State University|Bowling Green State]] (1933–1942)

  bar:30 color:powderblue  from:2000 till:end text:[[Wilmington College (Ohio)|Wilmington (OH)]] (2000–present)

ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit:year increment:5 start:1902

TextData = fontsize:M
           textcolor:black
           pos:(300,30) # tabs:(0-center)
           text:"Ohio Athletic Conference Membership History"
</timeline>

==Sports==
In 2023–24, the OAC sponsors the following championships:

{| class="wikitable" style=
|+ '''Conference sports'''
!Sport||Men's||Women's
|-
|[[Baseball]]||{{center|{{Y}}}}||
|-
|[[Basketball]]||{{center|{{Y}}}}||{{center|{{Y}}}}
|-
|[[Cross country running|Cross Country]]||{{center|{{Y}}}}||{{center|{{Y}}}}
|-
|[[College football|Football]]||{{center|{{Y}}}}||
|-
|[[Golf]]||{{center|{{Y}}}}||{{center|{{Y}}}}
|-
|[[College lacrosse|Lacrosse]]||{{center|{{Y}}}}||{{center|{{Y}}}}
|-
|[[College soccer in the United States|Soccer]]||{{center|{{Y}}}}||{{center|{{Y}}}}
|-
|[[Softball]] || || {{center|{{Y}}}}
|-
|[[Swimming (sport)|Swimming]] & [[Diving (sport)|Diving]] ||{{center|{{Y}}}}||{{center|{{Y}}}}
|-
|[[Tennis]] || {{center|{{Y}}}}||{{center|{{Y}}}}
|-
|[[Track and field|Indoor Track]] ||{{center|{{Y}}}}||{{center|{{Y}}}}
|-
|[[Track and field|Outdoor Track]] ||{{center|{{Y}}}}||{{center|{{Y}}}}
|-
|[[Volleyball]]|| ||{{center|{{Y}}}}
|-
|[[Collegiate wrestling|Wrestling]] || {{center|{{Y}}}} ||
|}

==Facilities==
Departing member in pink.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!School
!Football stadium
!Capacity
!Basketball arena
!Capacity
!Baseball field
!Capacity
!Softball field
!Capacity
|-
| '''[[Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets|Baldwin Wallace]]'''
| George Finnie Stadium
| 10,000
| Rudolph Ursprung Gymnasium
| 2,800
| Heritage Field
| 
| Rhoem Athletic Complex
|
|-
| '''[[Capital Crusaders|Capital]]'''
| [[Bernlohr Stadium]]
| 3,000
| Capital Center
| 2,100
| Clowson Field
| 
| Clowson Field
|
|-
| '''[[Heidelberg Student Princes|Heidelberg]]'''
| Hoernemann Stadium
| 1,300
| Seiberling Gymnasium
| 
| Peaceful Valley
| 
| Frann's Field
|
|-bgcolor=pink
| '''[[John Carroll Blue Streaks|John Carroll]]'''
| [[Don Shula Stadium]]
| 5,416
| Tony DeCarlo Varsity Center
| 2,500
| Schweickert Field
| 
| Bracken Outdoor Athletic Complex
|
|-
| '''[[Marietta Pioneers|Marietta]]'''
| Don Drumm Stadium
| 5,000
| Ban Johnson Arena
| 1,457
| Don Schaly Stadium
| 1,500
| Marietta Field
|
|-
| '''[[Mount Union Purple Raiders|Mount Union]]'''
| Mount Union Stadium
| 5,600
| McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex
| 3,000
| 23rd Street Field
| 
| 23rd Street Field
|
|-
| '''[[Muskingum Fighting Muskies|Muskingum]]'''
| McConagha Stadium
| 5,000
| Anne C. Steele Center
| 2,500
| Mose Morehead Field
| 
| Donna J. Newberry Field
|
|-
| '''[[Ohio Northern Polar Bears|Ohio Northern]]'''
| [[Dial–Roberson Stadium]]
| 3,500
| ONU Sports Center
| 
| Wander Field
| 
| ONU Softball Field
|
|-
| '''[[Otterbein Cardinals|Otterbein]]'''
| Memorial Stadium
| 2,400
| Rike Center
| 3,100
| Fishbaugh Field
| 
| Otterbein Softball Field
|
|-
| '''[[Wilmington Quakers|Wilmington]]'''
| Williams Stadium
| 3,500
| Fred Raizk Arena
| 3,500
| Tewksbury-Delaney Field
| 
| WC Softball Field
|
|}

==OAC Tournament Championship History==
===Men's swimming & diving===
* 2016–2024: '''John Carroll'''
* 2006–2016: '''Ohio Northern'''

===Women's swimming & diving===
* 2017–2024: '''John Carroll'''
* 2015–2016: '''Mount Union'''

===Men's basketball===
* 2020–2022: '''Marietta'''
* 2019–2020: '''Mount Union'''
* 2018–2019: '''Baldwin Wallace'''
* 2017–2018: '''John Carroll'''
* 2016–2017: '''Marietta'''
* 2015–2016: '''John Carroll'''
* 2014–2015: '''Mount Union'''
* 2013–2014: '''Wilmington'''
* 2012–2013: '''Marietta'''
* 2011–2012: '''Capital'''
* 2010–2011: '''Marietta'''
* 2009–2010: '''Wilmington'''
* 2008–2009: '''John Carroll'''
* 2007–2008: '''Heidelberg'''
* 2006–2007: '''Capital'''

===Women's basketball===
* 2022: '''Baldwin Wallace'''
* 2020–2021: '''John Carroll'''
* 2019–2020: '''Baldwin Wallace'''
* 2018–2019: '''John Carroll'''
* 2017–2018: '''Marietta'''
* 2016–2017: '''Ohio Northern'''
* 2015–2016: '''Mount Union'''
* 2014–2015: '''Baldwin Wallace'''
* 2013–2014: '''Capital'''
* 2012–2013: '''Ohio Northern'''
* 2009–2010, 2010–2011, 2011–2012: '''Mount Union'''
* 2008–2009: '''Capital'''
* 2007–2008: '''Baldwin Wallace'''
* 2005–2006, 2006–2007: '''Wilmington'''
* 2002–2003, 2003–2004: '''Wilmington'''

===Football===
* 2017–2019; 2021–2024: '''Mount Union'''
* 2016: '''John Carroll'''
* 1995–2015: '''Mount Union'''
* 1994: '''Baldwin Wallace'''/'''John Carroll'''/'''Mount Union'''
* 1992–1993: '''Mount Union'''
* 1991: '''Baldwin Wallace'''
* 1990: '''Mount Union'''
* 1989: '''John Carroll'''
* 1988: '''Baldwin Wallace'''/'''Wittenberg'''
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oac.org/sports/fball/History-Records/FBRecordBook2020.pdf |title=2020 OAC Football Record Book |page=4 |website=OAC.org |access-date=October 7, 2022}}</ref>

===Baseball===
* 2021–2022: '''Marietta'''
* 2019: '''Otterbein'''
* 2018: '''Baldwin Wallace'''
* 2017: '''Otterbein'''
* 2015–2016: '''Marietta'''
* 2014: '''John Carroll'''
* 2013: '''Mount Union'''
* 2011–2012: '''Marietta'''
* 2010: '''Heidelberg'''

===Men's soccer===
* 2023: '''Ohio Northern'''
* 2018–2022: '''John Carroll'''
* 2017: '''Otterbein'''
* 2016: '''John Carroll'''
* 2015: '''Ohio Northern'''
* 2014: '''Heidelberg'''
* 2010–2013: '''Ohio Northern'''
* 2009: '''Capital''' and '''Ohio Northern''' (tie)
* 2008: '''Ohio Northern'''
* 2004: '''Wilmington'''
* 2000: '''Wilmington'''

===Women's soccer===
* 2019: '''Ohio Northern'''
* 2018: '''Otterbein'''
* 2017: '''Ohio Northern'''
* 2016: '''Mount Union'''
* 2013–2015: '''Capital'''
* 2012: '''Ohio Northern'''
* 2011: '''Capital'''
* 2010: '''Otterbein'''

===Women's volleyball===
* 2018–2019: '''Ohio Northern'''
* 2017: '''Otterbein'''
* 2016: '''Ohio Northern'''
* 2015: '''Heidelberg'''
* 2011–2014: '''Mount Union'''
* 2010: '''Heidelberg'''
* 2009: '''Ohio Northern'''
* 2008: '''Heidelberg'''

===Men's golf===
* 2015–2019: '''Otterbein'''
* 2014: '''Baldwin Wallace'''
* 2011: '''Mount Union'''
* 2009–2010: '''Otterbein'''
* 2007–2008: '''Mount Union'''
* 1998–2006: '''Otterbein'''
* 1997: '''John Carroll'''
* 1996: '''Otterbein'''
* 1994–1995: '''John Carroll'''
* 1992–1993: '''Otterbein'''
* 1991: '''Heidelberg''' and '''Hiram''' (tie)
* 1990: '''John Carroll'''
* 1988–1989: '''Wittenberg'''
* 1987: '''Muskingum'''

===Men's wrestling===
* 2016–2019: '''Baldwin Wallace'''
* 2012–2014: '''Heidelberg'''
* 2011: '''Mount Union'''
* 2006–2010: '''Heidelberg'''
* 2002–2005: '''John Carroll'''
* 2001: '''Ohio Northern'''
* 2000: '''Muskingum'''

===Men's cross country===
* 2018–2019: '''Otterbein'''
* 2015–2017: '''Ohio Northern'''
* 2012–2014: '''Mount Union'''
* 2011: '''Ohio Northern'''
* 2010: '''Mount Union'''
* 2009: '''Heidelberg'''
* 2007–2008: '''Ohio Northern'''
* 2005–2006: '''Mount Union'''
* 2003–2004: '''Otterbein'''
* 2001–2002: '''Mount Union'''
* 2000: '''Heidelberg'''

===Women's cross country===
* 2015–2018: '''Otterbein'''
* 2014: '''Mount Union'''
* 2013: '''John Carroll'''
* 2010–2012: '''Ohio Northern'''
* 2009: '''Baldwin Wallace'''
* 2008: '''Ohio Northern'''
* 2007: '''Baldwin Wallace'''
* 2006: '''Ohio Northern'''

===Men's lacrosse===
* 2016–2022: '''John Carroll'''
* 2013–2015: '''Otterbein'''

===Women's lacrosse===
* 2014–2019: '''Mount Union'''

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons cat}}
* {{Official website}}

{{Ohio Athletic Conference navbox}}
{{NCAA Division III conference navbox}}
{{NCAA Division III football conference navbox}}

[[Category:Ohio Athletic Conference| ]]