ROCHESTER, NY – Houghton College will become a new member of the Empire 8 beginning in 2012-13. The NAIA institution is in the process of applying for NCAA Division III membership. If accepted, there will be one year of exploratory membership followed by four years of provisional membership before becoming an active Division III member.
“Houghton College is delighted to be joining the Empire 8,” said Houghton President Dr. Shirley Mullen. “We are fortunate to have in our geographic area an athletic conference that shares so fully our commitment to athletics as an integral aspect of a high-quality undergraduate education. Like the Empire 8, we believe that excellence in academics and excellence in athletics can go hand in hand.”
The Highlanders will compete in the conference in 2012-13, but will not be eligible for conference championships until they become an active NCAA Division III member. Houghton will compete in Empire 8 play in each sport it sponsors: baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s track and field, and volleyball.
“The Empire 8 is pleased to welcome Houghton College to our ranks,” said Empire 8 President Dr. Thomas Meier, President at Elmira College. “Houghton has a rich history and a culture that values character. We believe Houghton will be a great addition to a very strong conference.”
Houghton College is a liberal arts institution that challenges students to academic excellence – in the context of a relevant Christian community – and empowers them to enrich the world. The college of 1,200 students is located in Western New York, just 65 miles south of Rochester and Buffalo.
“Houghton College is thrilled to be a part of the Empire 8 Conference,” said Houghton Athletics Director H. Skip Lord. “The conference’s commitment to academic excellence, quality athletics competition and sportsmanship/character development is a perfect fit for us. We have enjoyed the opportunity to compete with Empire 8 teams over the years and have always been more than impressed. We are looking forward to interacting on a more regular basis with the quality people who comprise this fine organization.”
The Highlanders have earned a reputation for achievements in the arena of play, with more than 40 appearances in NAIA national tournaments, and in the classroom. In 2006-07, the NAIA began designating “Scholar Teams,” whose student-athletes achieved a combined grade point average of 3.0. Last year alone, 10 Houghton teams made the list.
“As a strong academic institution that is also committed to the educational values athletics contributes to higher education, Houghton College is a very welcomed addition to the Empire 8,” said Empire 8 Commissioner Chuck Mitrano. “They have great leadership on every level and we look forward to a long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationship.”
The members of the Empire 8 are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence is regarded as an exceptional NCAA Division III conference. The membership distinguishes itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies, educational programming and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the Empire 8.
In its 10-year history, more than 9,500 student-athletes have earned Empire 8 Presidents’ List honors by posting a 3.75 grade point average or better for an academic term. The conference-wide grade point average of its student-athletes is consistently above 3.0, demonstrating the emphasis on academic achievement.
Empire 8 is nationally respected for the competitiveness of its athletic teams. In 10 years, it has produced 50 teams in the Sweet Sixteen, 31 in the Round of Eight, 11 Final Four teams, one national champion, and two national runner-ups. Fifteen Empire 8 teams posted top-20 finishes in individual sports.
The conference has proposed, advocated for, and passed several important pieces of legislation for NCAA Division III membership, including automatic NCAA championship qualification for cross country, golf, and tennis as well as a two-year AQ grace period that protects the student-athlete experiences and opportunities amidst the ever-changing landscape among Division III conferences.
In 2007, the Empire 8 successfully lobbied the NCAA leadership and the division’s membership to sponsor the ground-breaking NCAA Hazing Prevention Summit in conjunction with the 2008 NCAA Convention. Commissioner Mitrano served as the events moderator/facilitator and played a major role in the organization and promotion of the summit, which received national media coverage and praise.
Commissioner Mitrano and the Empire 8 have been recognized as foremost experts on issues of sportsmanship. Mitrano created the nationally renowned Conduct Foul Program, which has been adopted by NCAA Division III as an integral part of its Strategic Plan. The voluntary program had more than 90 percent participation in 2009-10. Empire 8’s game management policies were selected as a DIII Best Practice and, along with the Conduct Foul Program and Ejection Policy, were included in the NCAA’s Sportsmanship Tool Kit.
Last month, the Institute of International Sport (IIS) selected Commissioner Mitrano as one of 20 living Americans who has made significant contributions to the practice of fair play and enhanced the national consciousness regarding the central importance of sportsmanship. He joined such dignitaries as Billie Jean King, baseball Hall of Famers Stan Musial and Cal Ripken, Jr., and golf legend Jack Nicklaus.
Empire 8 consists of Alfred University (NY), Elmira College (NY), Hartwick College (NY), Ithaca College (NY), Nazareth College (NY), Rochester Institute of Technology (NY), St. John Fisher College (NY), Stevens Institute of Technology (NJ), and Utica College (NY).