Football | 10/10/2023 10:58:26 AM
The Empire 8 Conference is pleased to announce the addition of Alfred State College as an affiliate member in the sport of football effective with the 2025-26 academic year.
"Alfred State is a great addition to Empire 8 football,” said Empire 8 Commissioner
Chuck Mitrano. “They have a competitive program with strong leadership at all levels and fit perfectly in our footprint. We are happy to welcome them to the Empire 8.”
Alfred State College, located in Alfred, N.Y., was established in 1908 and since then has become the No. 1 SUNY Regional College by
US News. Alfred State has a beautiful campus with room for you to learn and grow as you build your future, through hands-on learning, you will gain skills to launch a fulfilling career.
More and more students are making Alfred State College (ASC) their top choice. An astounding 98 percent of their graduates land a job and start their career or choose to further their education. That success is one reason why
US News ranks ASC the No. 1 SUNY Regional College along with top marks for Social Mobility, Least Debt, Best Value, and Best for Vets.
“Alfred State is excited and grateful for the opportunity to compete in the Empire 8 Conference as a football member,” said Alfred State President
Dr. Steven Mauro, who is also a member of the NCAA Division III President’s Council. “We look forward to partnering with Empire 8 and the other colleges competing in this premier league to elevate our student-athletes’ experience. I’d like to personally thank the Empire 8 President’s Council, Athletic Directors and Commissioner Mitrano for this great opportunity.”
Alfred State currently sponsors 20 Division III sports, the majority competing in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference. The football program is in its sixth season as a full-fledged Division III program and is currently competing as a member of the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) through the 2024-25 season. In 2021, the Pioneers finished 6-4, including a 5-1 mark which was tied for first in the ECFC and competed in the New England Bowl.
Alfred State will become the ninth Empire 8 football program in 2025, joining full-time members Alfred University, SUNY Brockport, Hartwick College, St. John Fisher University and Utica University, in addition to fellow affiliate members SUNY Cortland, Hilbert College (beginning E8 play in 2024) and SUNY Morrisville.
“Alfred State has steadily improved our athletic programs since officially joining NCAA Division III in 2018,” said Alfred State College Athletic Director
Jason Doviak. “As part of our growth, we have continued to elevate our level of play each year and been part of different conferences along the way. The Empire 8 will bring us our biggest challenge yet with a strong conference schedule and competition amongst institutions with a longstanding history of success. We are thankful for this opportunity and look forward to working with Commissioner Mitrano and our conference members to promote Division III football.”
Alfred State has enjoyed a long and storied athletic history both at the two- and four-year level. The Pioneers have had six NCAA qualifiers and four All-Americans since joining Division III in 2018.
Founded in 1998, the Empire 8 has developed into one of the premier NCAA Division III athletic conferences, both on the field and in the classroom. The conference consists of current full-time members Alfred University, Elmira College, Hartwick College, Houghton College, Keuka College, Nazareth University, Russell Sage College, St. John Fisher University, and Utica University. SUNY Brockport and SUNY Geneseo are set to join the Empire 8 as full members in 2024-25.
“I am very excited to join the Empire 8,” said Alfred State Head Football Coach
Scott Linn. “This is a great opportunity for us to both compete with some of the best teams in the region and country, and also to continue to grow our program.”
ABOUT ALFRED STATE COLLEGE
School: Alfred State College
Location: Alfred, New York
Founded: 1908
Enrollment: 3,524
Nickname: Pioneers
Colors: Blue and Gold
Affiliation: NCAA Division III
President: Dr. Steven Mauro
Director of Athletics: Jason Dovniak
Athletics Website: http://www.alfredstateathletics.com/
NCAA Division III Sponsored Sports (20): Baseball, Men's and Women's Basketball, Men's and Women's Cross Country, Football, Men's and Women's Lacrosse, Men's and Women's Soccer, Softball, Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving, Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track and Field, Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field, Women’s Volleyball, Men’s and Women's Wrestling.
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished 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 E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com and
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