Ursuline College and Gannon University filed suit against the Great Midwest Athletic Conference after Ursuline was expelled following its merger with Gannon. The parties argue the expulsion breaches contract and could force the loss of roughly one-third of Ursuline’s student body, with the lawsuit emphasizing disproportionate harm to female athletes. The case centers on conference eligibility tied to conflict-of-interest rules for board membership. Ursuline and Gannon say NCAA recognition that Ursuline remains a “stand-alone institution” after the merger should have allowed athletes to stay in GMAC. GMAC allegedly continued expulsion steps anyway. Ursuline also argues the policy violates Title IX by restricting female students’ access to athletic opportunities. For institutions managing mergers, the dispute highlights how athletics governance decisions can become enrollment-impacting legal risks during integration. The pending Education Department recognition of the merger adds timing pressure, while the case suggests that sports-related compliance and contractual interpretation can become a decisive factor in student retention during consolidation.