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Ohio Athletic Conference
AssociationNCAA
Founded1902
CommissionerSarah Otey (since 2021)
Sports fielded
  • 23
    • men's: 12
    • women's: 11
DivisionDivision III
No. of teams10 (9 in 2025)
HeadquartersWesterville, Ohio
RegionOhio
Official websiteoac.org
Locations
Location of teams in {{{title}}}

The Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) is an intercollegiate athletic conference which competes in the NCAA's 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

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Locations of members in the Ohio Athletic Conference

The Ohio Athletic Conference was found in 1902 with six charter members—Case Tech, Kenyon, Oberlin, Ohio State, Ohio Wesleyan, and Western Reserve. By 1934, the conference reached an all-time high of twenty-four members,[1] 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, 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.[2]

Conference timeline

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Ohio Athletic Conference is located in Ohio
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Historical membership of the OAC: current members in red and former members in steel.
  • 1902 – The Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) was founded. Charter members included Case Institute of Technology, Kenyon College, Oberlin College, Ohio State University, Ohio Wesleyan University and Western Reserve University, beginning the 1902–03 academic year.
  • 1907 – Denison University, Heidelberg College (now Heidelberg University) and the College of Wooster joined the OAC in the 1907–08 academic year.
  • 1909 – 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 of Ohio joined the OAC in the 1911–12 academic year.
  • 1912 – Ohio State left the OAC after the 1911–12 academic year.
  • 1914 – 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 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 College (now Otterbein University) and St. Xavier College (now Xavier University) joined the OAC in the 1921–22 academic year.
  • 1922 – 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 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 College (now Kent State University) and Toledo University (now the University of Toledo) joined the OAC in the 1932–33 academic year.
  • 1933 – 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 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 joined the OAC as an associate member for men's and women's swimming and diving in the 2015–16 academic year.
  • 2024 – Defiance will leave 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

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Current members

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The OAC currently has ten full members, all are private schools:

Institution Location[a] Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined Colors
Baldwin Wallace University Berea 1845 Nonsectarian 3,220 Yellow Jackets 1915;
1923;[b]
1961[c] 		   
Capital University Bexley 1830 Lutheran ELCA 2,617 Comets 1927    
Heidelberg University Tiffin 1850 United Church of Christ 1,086 Student Princes 1907      
John Carroll University University Heights 1886[d] Catholic
(Jesuit) 		2,922 Blue Streaks 1932;
1989[e] 		   
Marietta College Marietta 1835 Nonsectarian 1,198 Pioneers 1926    
University of Mount Union Alliance 1846 Nonsectarian 2,130 Purple Raiders 1914    
Muskingum University New Concord 1837 Presbyterian 2,117 Fighting Muskies 1922    
Ohio Northern University Ada 1871 United Methodist 3,015 Polar Bears 1916;
1973[f] 		     
Otterbein University Westerville 1847 United Methodist 3,080 Cardinals 1921    
Wilmington College Wilmington 1870 Quakers 1,046 Quakers 2000    
Notes
  1. ^ All cities are located within the State of Ohio.
  2. ^ Baldwin–Wallace left the OAC after the 1918–19 school year, but returned in the 1923–24 school year.
  3. ^ Baldwin–Wallace left the OAC again after the 1947–48 school year, but returned again effective in the 1961–62 school year.
  4. ^ Founded as St. Ignatius College in Cleveland.
  5. ^ John Carroll left the OAC after the 1948–49 school year, but returned effective in the 1989–90 school year.
  6. ^ Ohio Northern left the OAC after the 1948–49 school year, but returned effective in the 1973–74 school year.

Former members

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The OAC had 20 former full members, all but seven were private schools:

Institution Location[a] Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined Left Colors Current
conference
University of Akron[b] Akron 1870 Public 18,730 Zips 1915;
1944 		1936;
1966 		    Mid-American (MAC)[c]
Ashland University Ashland 1878 Brethren 6,626 Eagles 1931 1948     Great Midwest (G-MAC)[d]
Bowling Green State University Bowling Green 1910 Public 17,540 Falcons 1933 1942     Mid-American (MAC)[c]
Case Institute of Technology[e] Cleveland 1880 Nonsectarian N/A various[f] 1902 1948    [3] University (UAA)[e]
University of Cincinnati Cincinnati 1819 Public 45,949 Bearcats 1910 1924     Big 12[c]
University of Dayton Dayton 1850 Catholic
(Marianist) 		11,241 Flyers 1926 1934     Atlantic 10 (A-10)[g]
Denison University[h] Granville 1831 Nonsectarian 2,100 Big Red 1907;
1933 		1928;
1984 		    North Coast (NCAC)
Hiram College[i] Hiram 1850 Disciples of Christ 1,395 Terriers 1920;
1951;
1989 		1935;
1971;
1999 		    North Coast (NCAC)
Kent State University Kent 1910 Public 28,122 Golden Flashes 1932 1951     Mid-American (MAC)[c]
Kenyon College Gambier 1824 Episcopal/Anglican 1,640 Lords &
Ladies 		1902 1984     North Coast (NCAC)
Miami University Oxford 1809 Public 19,933 RedHawks[j] 1911 1928     Mid-American (MAC)[c]
Oberlin College Oberlin 1833 Nonsectarian 2,850 Yeomen &
Yeowomen 		1902 1984     North Coast (NCAC)
Ohio State University Columbus 1870 Public 61,369 Buckeyes 1902 1912     Big Ten[c]
Ohio University[k] Athens 1804 Public 28,750 Bobcats 1910 1925     Mid-American (MAC)[c]
Ohio Wesleyan University[l] Delaware 1842 United Methodist[m] 1,850 Battlin' Bishops 1902;
1947 		1928;
1984 		    North Coast (NCAC)
University of Toledo Toledo 1872 Public 20,304 Rockets 1932 1947     Mid-American (MAC)[c]
Western Reserve University[e] Cleveland 1826 Nonsectarian N/A various[n] 1902 1932    [4] University (UAA)[e]
Wittenberg University[o] Springfield 1845 Lutheran ELCA 2,050 Tigers 1909;
1934 		1928;
1989 		    North Coast (NCAC)
The College of Wooster Wooster 1866 Nonsectarian 1,827 Fighting Scots 1907 1984     North Coast (NCAC)
Xavier University Cincinnati 1831 Catholic
(Jesuit) 		7,112 Musketeers 1921 1936       Big East[g]
Notes
  1. ^ All cities are located within the State of Ohio.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Currently an NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision athletic conference.
  4. ^ Currently an NCAA Division II athletic conference.
  5. ^ a b c d 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.
  6. ^ Case Tech's nicknames were the following: Scientists from 1918–19 to 1939–40; and Rough Riders from 1940–41 to 1970–71.
  7. ^ a b Currently an NCAA Division I non-football athletic conference.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ Ohio adopts conference rules in 1909 that go into effect for the 1910 fall season (1910–11 school year)."Ohio University Football", Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati, OH, p. 4, September 27, 1909
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ Paused affiliation with the United Methodist Church in 2019.
  14. ^ Western Reserve's nicknames were the following: Pioneers from 1920–21 to 1927–28; and Red Cats from 1928–29 to 1970–71.
  15. ^ 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.

Former associate members

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The OAC had three former associate members, all private schools. This included the only schools outside of Ohio that had any level of OAC membership.

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined Left Colors OAC
sport 		Primary
conference
Defiance College Defiance, Ohio 1850 United Church of Christ 1,000 Yellow Jackets 2011–12 2015–16     men's swimming & diving
women's swimming & diving 		Wolverine–Hoosier (WHAC)[a]
Manchester University North Manchester, Indiana 1860 Church of the Brethren 1,250 Spartans 2015–16 2017–2018     Heartland (HCAC)
Transylvania University Lexington, Kentucky 1780 Disciples of Christ 1,120 Pioneers 2012–13  
Notes
  1. ^ Currently an NAIA athletic conference.

Membership timeline

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Wilmington College (Ohio)Bowling Green State UniversityUniversity of ToledoKent State UniversityJohn Carroll UniversityAshland UniversityCapital UniversityMarietta CollegeUniversity of DaytonMuskingum UniversityXavier UniversityOtterbein CollegeHiram CollegeOhio Northern UniversityBaldwin Wallace UniversityUniversity of AkronUniversity of Mount UnionMiami UniversityOhio UniversityUniversity of CincinnatiWittenberg UniversityThe College of WoosterHeidelberg University (Ohio)Denison UniversityWestern Reserve UniversityOhio Wesleyan UniversityOhio State UniversityOberlin CollegeKenyon CollegeCase Institute of Technology

Sports

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

Conference sports
Sport Men's Women's
Baseball
Green tickY
Basketball
Green tickY
Green tickY
Cross Country
Green tickY
Green tickY
Football
Green tickY
Golf
Green tickY
Green tickY
Lacrosse
Green tickY
Green tickY
Soccer
Green tickY
Green tickY
Softball
Green tickY
Swimming & Diving
Green tickY
Green tickY
Tennis
Green tickY
Green tickY
Indoor Track
Green tickY
Green tickY
Outdoor Track
Green tickY
Green tickY
Volleyball
Green tickY
Wrestling
Green tickY

Facilities

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Departing member in pink.

School Football stadium Capacity Basketball arena Capacity Baseball field Capacity Softball field Capacity
Baldwin Wallace George Finnie Stadium 10,000 Rudolph Ursprung Gymnasium 2,800 Heritage Field Rhoem Athletic Complex
Capital Bernlohr Stadium 3,000 Capital Center 2,100 Clowson Field Clowson Field
Heidelberg Hoernemann Stadium 1,300 Seiberling Gymnasium Peaceful Valley Frann's Field
John Carroll Don Shula Stadium 5,416 Tony DeCarlo Varsity Center 2,500 Schweickert Field Bracken Outdoor Athletic Complex
Marietta Don Drumm Stadium 5,000 Ban Johnson Arena 1,457 Don Schaly Stadium 1,500 Marietta Field
Mount Union Mount Union Stadium 5,600 McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex 3,000 23rd Street Field 23rd Street Field
Muskingum McConagha Stadium 5,000 Anne C. Steele Center 2,500 Mose Morehead Field Donna J. Newberry Field
Ohio Northern Dial–Roberson Stadium 3,500 ONU Sports Center Wander Field ONU Softball Field
Otterbein Memorial Stadium 2,400 Rike Center 3,100 Fishbaugh Field Otterbein Softball Field
Wilmington Williams Stadium 3,500 Fred Raizk Arena 3,500 Tewksbury-Delaney Field WC Softball Field

OAC Tournament Championship History

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Men's Swimming & Diving

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  • 2016-24: John Carroll
  • 2006-16: Ohio Northern

Women's Swimming & Diving

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  • 2017-24: John Carroll
  • 2015-16: Mount Union

Men's Basketball

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  • 2020-22: Marietta
  • 2019-20: Mount Union
  • 2018-19: Baldwin Wallace
  • 2017-18: John Carroll
  • 2016-17: Marietta
  • 2015-16: John Carroll
  • 2014-15: Mount Union
  • 2013-14: Wilmington
  • 2012-13: Marietta
  • 2011-12: Capital
  • 2010-11: Marietta
  • 2009-10: Wilmington
  • 2008-09: John Carroll
  • 2007-08: Heidelberg
  • 2006-07: Capital

Women's Basketball

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  • 2022: Baldwin Wallace
  • 2020-21: John Carroll
  • 2019-20: Baldwin Wallace
  • 2018-19: John Carroll
  • 2017-18: Marietta
  • 2016-17: Ohio Northern
  • 2015-16: Mount Union
  • 2014-15: Baldwin Wallace
  • 2013-14: Capital
  • 2012-13: Ohio Northern
  • 2009-10, 2010–11, 2011-12: Mount Union
  • 2008-09: Capital
  • 2007-08: Baldwin Wallace
  • 2005-06, 2006-07: Wilmington
  • 2002-03, 2003-04: Wilmington

Football

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  • 2017–19;2021-2023: 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

[5]

Baseball

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  • 2021-22: Marietta
  • 2019: Otterbein
  • 2018: Baldwin Wallace
  • 2017: Otterbein
  • 2015–16: Marietta
  • 2014: John Carroll
  • 2013: Mount Union
  • 2011–12: Marietta
  • 2010: Heidelberg

Men's Soccer

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  • 2023: Ohio Northern
  • 2018-22: John Carroll
  • 2017: Otterbein
  • 2016: John Carroll
  • 2015: Ohio Northern
  • 2014: Heidelberg
  • 2010–13: Ohio Northern
  • 2009: Capital and Ohio Northern (tie)
  • 2008: Ohio Northern
  • 2004: Wilmington
  • 2000: Wilmington

Women's Soccer

[edit]
  • 2019: Ohio Northern
  • 2018: Otterbein
  • 2017: Ohio Northern
  • 2016: Mount Union
  • 2013–15: Capital
  • 2012: Ohio Northern
  • 2011: Capital
  • 2010: Otterbein

Women's Volleyball

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  • 2018–19: Ohio Northern
  • 2017: Otterbein
  • 2016: Ohio Northern
  • 2015: Heidelberg
  • 2011–14: Mount Union
  • 2010: Heidelberg
  • 2009: Ohio Northern
  • 2008: Heidelberg

Men's Golf

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  • 2015–19: Otterbein
  • 2014: Baldwin Wallace
  • 2011: Mount Union
  • 2009–10: Otterbein
  • 2007–08: Mount Union
  • 1998–06: Otterbein
  • 1997: John Carroll
  • 1996: Otterbein
  • 1994–95: John Carroll
  • 1992–93: Otterbein
  • 1991: Heidelberg and Hiram (tie)
  • 1990: John Carroll
  • 1988–89: Wittenberg
  • 1987: Muskingum

Men's Wrestling

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  • 2016–19: Baldwin Wallace
  • 2012–14: Heidelberg
  • 2011: Mount Union
  • 2006–10: Heidelberg
  • 2002–05: John Carroll
  • 2001: Ohio Northern
  • 2000: Muskingum

Men's Cross Country

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  • 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

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  • 2015–18: Otterbein
  • 2014: Mount Union
  • 2013: John Carroll
  • 2010–12: Ohio Northern
  • 2009: Baldwin Wallace
  • 2008: Ohio Northern
  • 2007: Baldwin Wallace
  • 2006: Ohio Northern

Men's Lacrosse

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  • 2016–22: John Carroll
  • 2013–15: Otterbein

Women's Lacrosse

[edit]
  • 2014–19: Mount Union

References

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  1. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2019-09-04. Retrieved 2019-09-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. ^ "John Carroll University Joins North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC)" (Press release). January 18, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  3. ^ "Team colors, mascots, names".
  4. ^ "Team colors, mascots, names".
  5. ^ "2020 OAC Football Record Book" (PDF). OAC.org. p. 4. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
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