July 19, 1982 Press Release Announcing League's Formation

ELMHURST, Ill. - The Summit League unveiled its 30th anniversary season logo for the 2011-12 academic year today. Selected through voting on the league's Facebook page, the logo will be used as the league's primary mark in publicity materials through June 2012.

Originally formed as a Division I league on this date (July 19) in 1982, The Summit League, then known as the Association of Mid-Continent Universities and later as the Mid-Continent Conference, is entering its 30th season at the Division I level.  

Designed by Kristopher Bazen of KPBL Design Studios LLC in Norman, Okla., the logo was among five designs chosen as finalists for the official 30th anniversary mark. During the spring, The Summit League solicited design submissions through a contest on its website, www.thesummitleague.org. Five logos were chosen from the original entries and placed on the league's Facebook page for fans to "like" with the highest total becoming the logo.

Several announcements and features will be launched on www.thesummitleague.org to celebrate The Summit League's history throughout its 30th anniversary season.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary season at the Division I Ievel in 2011-12, The Summit League offers 19 championship sports and has a combined enrollment of over 135,000 at 11 universities, five of which are located in the top 76 U.S. media markets (Detroit, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Tulsa and Omaha). Member institutions include: IPFW (Indiana University-Purdue University-Fort Wayne), IUPUI (Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis), UMKC (University of Missouri-Kansas City), the University of Nebraska Omaha (which begins league competition in 2012-13), North Dakota State University, Oakland University, Oral Roberts University, the University of South Dakota, South Dakota State University, Southern Utah University and Western Illinois University. Eastern Illinois University is an associate member in swimming and diving and men's soccer.