The Empire 8 has been serving its membership in various forms over the past 40 years.

In 1964, Alfred University, Clarkson University, Hobart College, Rensselaer, St. Lawrence University, and Union College joined together to form the Independent College Athletic Conference (ICAC). Its primary purpose was aimed at schedule making for a few major sports. Union soon dropped out to be replaced later by Ithaca College and RIT. The conference remained at seven institutions for 20 years. Hobart and William Smith merged as one member and Hartwick College entered the conference in 1991.

In 1991, the ICAC reorganized and the Empire Athletic Association (EAA) emerged as a quality conference composed of institutions with top academic and athletic reputations.

Since 1993, the EAA served as a single sport conference for Men and Women’s Basketball. Soon after the departure of Hobart/William Smith, RPI, and St. Lawrence, Elmira College, Nazareth College, and Utica College joined the EAA to maintain six members and a cohesive basketball alignment. In 1998, Alfred University and St. John Fisher became the latest of the eight official members.

In the Fall of 1999, the EAA officially became the Empire 8 which evolved into a comprehensive conference for 13 sports for men and women. The conference also employed its first full-time Commissioner. In August 2001, the conference hired its second and current Commissioner, Chuck Mitrano. In July of 2002, the conference hired its first part-time SID, Timothy Farrell. On August 7, 2002 the Presidents Council officially became part of the governance structure and a new revised Constitution was adopted. In March 2006, the Empire 8 announced that Stevens Institute of Technology would become a full member of the conference in Fall 2007.

The members of the Empire 8 are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and aspire to be regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership seeks to distinguish itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the
Empire 8.