In an effort to better educate the public about the future of UNA athletics, officials held an open information session Thursday night at Flowers Hall, where numerous local groups and citizens gathered to learn more about the NCAA Division I transition.

UNA Athletics Director Mark Linder and Alan Medders, vice president of advancement, spoke to a group of about 100 season ticket holders, UNA sportsman’s club members and other area citizens about the Division I issue.

Linder and Medders are holding meetings with local groups to inform them of what plans are in the near future for the university.

They have already held 30 meetings in 15 days and are planning to meet with 40 more groups before the beginning of August. Both said their major fundraising efforts would begin in early August.

“(We are meeting with groups to) answer some of the misperceptions and allow people to ask questions,” Medders said. “(We want to) tell people why we are doing what we are doing.”

Linder and Medders said their goals for the meetings are to answer questions and give people what they need to know about the plan to move toward Division I athletics, as well give accurate information to the public.

Medders said UNA is the right investment for the Shoals area and wants local leaders to invest in the future of UNA’s athletic program.

“What’s good for UNA is good for the whole community,” he said.

During the information session, Linder answered questions from the audience regarding UNA’s application to play in a Division I conference and what the athletics department is looking to do in regards to that application.

“I do believe there are some interests in the Ohio Valley conference towards our university and we hope they want us to join their conference,” Linder said. “The Ohio Valley is the best fit for us in terms of location so that’s why we would prefer this conference than any other.”

Linder said UNA athletics could possibly be a member of the Southern Conference if the OVC invitation does not work out.

Officials met with the local community July 1 during the monthly First Fridays event in downtown Florence. UNA has also created a Facebook page with information about the Division I move, as well as offered an open forum for people to comment on and ask questions.

Look for a more in-depth story about the Division I move in the August 25 issue of The Flor-Ala.