The Sage Colleges to Join Empire 8 Conference in Fall of 2017
The President’s Council of the Empire 8 Athletic Conference is pleased to announce the addition of The Sage Colleges (Albany, NY/Troy, NY) as a full member effective fall 2017.
“The Presidents of the Colleges within the Empire 8 Athletic Conference voted unanimously to extend this invitation to The Sage Colleges,” said Dr. Margaret Drugovich, Hartwick College President and Chair of the Empire 8 President’s Council. “Our confidence is well earned - their athletic director Danielle Drews and President Susan Scrimshaw impressed us with their commitment to membership in the Empire 8 as well as their commitment to the transformative experience of Division III athletics. My presidential colleagues and I welcome them, their scholar-athletes, and their Sage colleagues to the Empire 8 Athletic Conference.”
“Sage is excited to be joining the elite Empire 8 Athletic Conference," exclaimed The Sage Colleges President Susan Scrimshaw. “We are so proud of our athletic department, its staff and all of our Sage Gator athletes. Sage's athletic program has now grown to 15 Division III teams and this move is a natural fit that will continue to propel our athletic department forward and enable our teams and student-athletes to continue to thrive.“
The 3,000 students at The Sage Colleges pursue bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees on campuses in Troy and Albany, NY, as well as online. Programs are available at the coeducational Sage College of Albany in New York’s capital city; the historic Russell Sage College for women in downtown Troy; the graduate-level Esteves School of Education, School of Health Sciences, and the School of Management, which operate on both campuses; and online through Russell Sage Online. Students participate in a learning environment that offers varied interdisciplinary academics, opportunities for community engagement, options to study abroad, and a range of artistic and athletic endeavors.
“Sage is an excellent academic institution with strong athletic programs and leadership,” said Empire 8 Commissioner Chuck Mitrano. “They are a terrific fit for the Empire 8 and we are excited to welcome them to the family.”
14 of Sage’s 15 NCAA Division III athletic programs will participate in Empire 8 Conference play. Sage offers eight women’s and seven men’s programs. The women's sports are: basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball, and outdoor track and field. The men's sports include: basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, outdoor track and field and volleyball.
“We are honored by the invitation from the conference presidents to join the Empire 8, one of the most well-respected conferences in Division III,” noted Sage’s Director of Athletics and Recreation, Dani Drews. She added, “Sage embraces the new challenges and opportunities this new membership provides and are grateful to Commissioner Chuck Mitrano and the entire Empire 8 conference for their consideration and support.”
Drews also continued, “It is a bittersweet moment for us to be leaving the Skyline Conference after this year. Commissioner Linda Bruno and the Skyline members have done so much for Sage, helping our department grow from five teams to 15 varsity programs in just a few short years. We are indebted to them for everything they have done for Sage and our Gators.”
The Sage Colleges Athletic Department has undergone tremendous expansion since 2007 when the Russell Sage Gators began adding Athletic programs to the Sage College of Albany campus. In the last nine years, the Sage Gators have added 10 varsity programs to reach their current number of 15. During that time, four different programs have earned NCAA berths as Skyline Conference champion automatic qualifiers. Last year, Sage had its highest finish in the Skyline Commissioner’s Cup, third place, after winning a share of four regular-season titles and their first men’s soccer tournament crown.
Off the court, Sage student-athletes have posted combined grade point averages over 3.0 in the last nine semesters and earned numerous academic citations including eight CoSIDA Academic All-American honors. Not content with being outstanding student-athletes, the Gators give back to their communities in a number of ways, including annual support for the Ronald McDonald House, Toys for Tots, School Supply Drive and their very own Chompers’ Reading Program.
The Empire 8 has established itself as an innovative and progressive athletic conference that is considered a national leader in sportsmanship education and policy. Empire 8 is dedicated to enhancing the experiences of its student-athletes and celebrating the academic and athletic achievements of its young men, women and member institutions. Its student-athletes are also highly accomplished in the classroom recently compiling a record 3.216 conference-wide grade point average while 856 of its student-athletes were named to the Empire 8 Presidents’ List after attaining a 3.75 or better GPA for the term. In addition 119 of its member athletic teams collected a 3.2 grade point average or better.
Empire 8 full members include Alfred University, Elmira College, Hartwick College, Houghton College, Ithaca College, Nazareth College, St. John Fisher College, Stevens Institute of Technology and Utica College. The Empire 8 also has affiliates in football (Brockport, Buffalo State, Cortland, Morrisville), field hockey (Washington & Jefferson College), baseball (Canton) and men’s golf (Scranton, Susquehanna, Moravian).
Fast Facts about Sage
Founded: 1916
Location: Troy and Albany, N.Y.
Enrollment: Approximately 3,000
President: Dr. Susan Scrimshaw
Director of Athletics and Recreation: Dani Drews
Nickname: Gators
Colors: Sage Green and White
Athletics Website:
www.sagegators.com