NAC Expands for Fourth Time in Four Years
Waterville, Maine – The North Atlantic Conference Presidents' Council announces the addition of two full members, SUNY Morrisville and Lesley University, to begin competition in 2023-24.
The addition of SUNY Morrisville and Lesley University continues the NAC's ongoing strategic initiative to build the membership and provide high-quality educational experiences for institutions and students. New member institutions join SUNY Canton, Cazenovia College, SUNY Cobleskill, SUNY Delhi, UMaine-Farmington, Husson University, Northern Vermont University-Johnson, Northern Vermont University-Lyndon, Maine Maritime Academy, SUNY Poly, UMaine-Presque Isle, and Thomas College (ME).
This marks the fourth league expansion in four years and brings full membership to 14 public and private schools. UMaine-Presque Isle and SUNY Canton joined the league in 2018, followed by SUNY Delhi in 2019, then Cazenovia College, SUNY Cobleskill, and SUNY Poly in 2020.
Conference leaders envisioned divisional playing schedules and championships when the footprint expanded into northern Maine and northern New York in 2018. The vision came to fruition when Delhi, Cazenovia, Cobleskill, and Poly joined the membership, allowing the formation of East and West divisions. SUNY Morrisville in the west, and Lesley in the east, expand divisional opportunities while maintaining balance in each division.
Commissioner Marcella Zalot is excited about the future. "Today we became stronger as a conference by adding two institutions, one in our East division and one in our West division. Expansion is about strengthening our divisional model and the long-term stability of the NAC. We were fortunate to find two institutions to help us achieve our goals. I welcome them and look forward to working with their leadership, coaches, and staff to provide exceptional opportunities for all NAC student athletes, both present and future."
Both institutions sponsor sports that fit with NAC offerings and allow for the possible expansion of conference championships.
Morrisville sponsors 16 intercollegiate sports, including ten sponsored by the NAC - men's & women's basketball, men's & women's cross country, men's & women's lacrosse, men's & women's soccer, softball, and women's volleyball. The Mustangs also sponsor football, men's and women's ice hockey, field hockey, and co-ed hunt seat & western equestrian.
Lesley University sponsors 14 intercollegiate sports, all but one of which are NAC sponsored sports - baseball, men's & women's basketball, men's & women's cross country, men's & women's soccer, softball, men's & women's tennis, men's & women's track & field, and women's volleyball. The Lynx also sponsor men's volleyball.
Presidents' Council Chair Ray Rice of UMaine-Presque Isle shares Zalot's enthusiasm. "We are thrilled to welcome SUNY Morrisville and Lesley University into the conference. At a time when higher education is facing increasing challenges, the NAC is expanding opportunities for student athletes. This is a result of having a strong vision for the conference, and the ability to execute our vision."
Located in scenic Central New York, SUNY Morrisville is a model of innovative applied education — a place where students begin crafting exciting careers through real-world experiences. Established in 1908 as a college of agriculture, SUNY Morrisville became a founding member of the State University of New York (SUNY) in 1948. Morrisville's students choose from more than 50 bachelor's and associate degree programs that embrace agriculture, technology, business, social sciences, and the liberal arts. Among them are strong programs in specialized areas such as renewable energy, environmental conservation, aquaculture, automotive technology, equine science, dairy management, nursing, wood technology, hospitality management, and information technology.
"All of us at SUNY Morrisville are looking forward to joining the North Atlantic Conference with the onset of the 2023-2024 academic year," shared President David Rogers. "Our entire community, especially our student athletes and coaches, are looking to rekindle some traditional rivalries while also forging new relationships. We are excited about joining a conference so deeply committed to values shared by NCAA DIII colleagues."
Lesley University uniquely focuses on the human arts, with programs that live at the intersection of education, counseling, and the visual arts. As the largest educator of teachers and counselors in New England, Lesley prepares students to impact lives, strengthen communities, and act as catalysts for a more just world. More than 6,000 students study across four colleges—a professionally-focused liberal arts college, an independent college of art and design, a graduate school of education, and a graduate school of social sciences—as well as in the Threshold Program, a residential program for students with learning differences. Spanning from Porter Square to Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Lesley extends the NAC into one of the most dynamic learning environments in the country. Student athletes at Lesley are working toward careers as mental health counselors, educators, expressive arts therapists, business leaders, social workers, designers, and visual artists.
"This invitation to join the NAC marks a milestone in Lesley's strategic plan to grow and strengthen our athletics programs," remarked President Janet L. Steinmayer. "Lesley's core values are very closely aligned with the NAC including our shared commitments to academic excellence, sportsmanship, diversity, equity and inclusion, and the health and well-being of student athletes, coaches, and staff. Our Lesley Lynx student-athletes and coaching staff are very excited to start competing with NAC teams in 2023-24."
Celebrating 25 years of excellence in 2021-22, the North Atlantic Conference was founded in 1997 as the North Atlantic Women's Conference (NAWC) to provide opportunities for female student athletes to compete in postseason tournaments. The NAWC added men's sports and was renamed the North Atlantic Conference in 1999. The NAC currently sponsors 18 men's and women's championships as members of NCAA Division III, including baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's swimming & diving, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's outdoor track & field, and women's volleyball.