Three Teams Join Empire 8 as Men’s Golf Affiliates
ROCHESTER, N.Y. - The Empire 8 Athletic Conference has accepted SUNY Canton, Oswego State and SUNY Potsdam as men’s golf affiliates for the Fall of 2017.
“Canton, Oswego, and Potsdam are terrific additions to our conference and we look forward to a long standing partnership,” said Empire 8 and Hartwick College President Margaret Drugovich.
With the addition of Canton, Oswego and Potsdam there will be eight men’s golf teams in the E8, which will maintain the league's automatic bid to the NCAA III Men's Golf Championship. The Empire 8 received its first automatic qualifier to the NCAA tournament in the 2011-12 season.
“We are excited to welcome Canton, Oswego and Potsdam to Empire 8 men’s golf,” said Commissioner Chuck Mitrano. “These additions will enhance the student-athlete experience for all participating institutions and continue our history of competitive championship play.”
Current men’s golf affiliates, Moravian, Scranton and Susquehanna concluded its membership with E8 at the end of this season. The trio are core members of the Landmark Conference, which will be adding the sport back to its conference lineup. The Landmark members joined the E8 in men's golf in the Fall of 2009.
"We have enjoyed our partnership with Landmark and wish them the best as they bring men's golf into their conference," Mitrano commented.
A member conference of the NCAA’s Division III, the Empire 8 has nine full members and sponsors championships in 23 sports. The member institutions of the league place the highest priority on the overall quality of the educational experience and on the successful completion of its student-athletes’ academic programs. 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.
The Empire 8 can trace its beginnings back to 1964 with the founding of the Independent College Athletic Conference (ICAC). In 1991, the ICAC regrouped to become the Empire Athletic Association (EAA) and in 1999 the EAA became the Empire 8 Athletic Conference.