CONTACT: Eugenio Mercurio Assistant Commissioner for Sports Information Office: (315) 684-6680 Cell: (315) 404-7227
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 22, 2015
NEAC to Join North Atlantic Conference as Associate Member in Field Hockey
GANSEVOORT, N.Y. – The North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) is excited to announce a partnership with the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) in the sport of field hockey, beginning in the 2016-17 academic year. The partnership brings together the nine member schools that sponsor the sport to compete within the NAC.
Beginning next season, NEAC full members Keuka College, Wells College and Wilson College will become associate members of the NAC and will represent the West Division. NAC members Castleton University, Colby-Sawyer College, Husson University, University of Maine-Farmington, New England College and Thomas (Me.) College will make up the East Division.
Each division will conduct regular season competition before holding divisional rounds of the NAC Tournament. The two divisional champions will then square off to proclaim an overall champion, who will then earn the NAC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Field Hockey Tournament.
“The NAC continues to be a great sister conference for the NEAC,” explained NEAC Commissioner Candice Murray . “In terms of additional opportunities for our field hockey teams, I know that the NEAC student-athletes and coaches are thrilled about this new agreement and the opportunity to potentially advance to the NCAA Tournament."
This new agreement with the NAC will run through the 2017-18 season, with the option to renew following that year. The partnership is very similar to the current NEAC-NAC pact in men’s and women’s tennis.
“The NAC is pleased to welcome these three fine institutions to the conference as associate members in field hockey,” said NAC Commissioner Julie Muller . “We strive to provide student-athletes with outstanding experiences, and ensuring continued access to the NCAA National Tournament is a priority for our member institutions. We have a rich tradition in field hockey, as well as a strong partnership with our NEAC colleagues, which combine to make this a win-win opportunity.”
“I look forward to our continued work with the NAC in yet another sport,” added Murray. “We have worked very well together over the last decade and will look to maintain our strong relationship for years to come.” ---More-MoreMore----
CONTACT: Eugenio Mercurio Assistant Commissioner for Sports Information Office: (315) 684-6680 Cell: (315) 404-7227
Field hockey became the NEAC’s 18th-sponsored sport after beginning play this year. The inaugural season will wrap up conference play this weekend before holding its championship on Saturday, October 31.
*********************************************************************************************************** The North Eastern Athletic Conference has fourteen NCAA Division III member institutions which include: Bryn Athyn College, Cazenovia College, College of St. Elizabeth, Gallaudet University, Keuka College, Lancaster Bible College, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Pennsylvania State University - Abington, Pennsylvania State University - Berks, SUNY Cobleskill, SUNY Morrisville State College, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Wells College, and Wilson College. Associate members are: Cedar Crest College (W Swimming), D’Youville College (M Volleyball), Hilbert College (M Lacrosse & M Volleyball), Medaille College (M&W Lacrosse & M Volleyball), Penn State Altoona (M Volleyball) and Rutgers University - Camden (M Golf). The North Eastern Athletic Conference has partnered with the North Atlantic Conference in the sports of men’s and women’s tennis. For more information, please visit www.neacsports.com .