EHCTailgate -
Umm, probably because the USAC has some quality institutions that put pride in their athletic programs and hire coaches that do a heck of a job recruiting.
The ODAC went 2-8 against the USAC last year, and CNU had only one of those eight wins. EHC had two of those losses (Ferrum and Methodist).
The "rejects" you speak of are some of the same kids E&H and other ODAC schools go after. CNU just offers more for them, not to mention being closer to home.
Oh, and you could have made your post even more "poweful" by saying "It looks a little fishy to have a less than 5 year old program to be so good."
You should be giving CNU, Shenanoah, and now N.C. Wesleyan, credit for what they've done in five years or less.