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| Morrisville State, Lesley athletics photos |
The North Atlantic Conference Presidents' Council announces the addition of two full members, Morrisville State and Lesley, to begin competition in 2023-24.
The addition of the two schools continues what the NAC describes as its "ongoing strategic initiative" to build the membership and provide high-quality educational experiences for institutions and students. New member institutions join SUNY Canton, Cazenovia, SUNY Cobleskill, SUNY Delhi, Maine-Farmington, Husson, Northern Vermont-Johnson, Northern Vermont-Lyndon, Maine Maritime, SUNYIT, Maine-Presque Isle, and Thomas.
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, SUNY Cobleskill, and SUNYIT (also known as SUNY Poly) in 2020.
The move also gives the conference additional buffer if discussions in the state of Vermont result in the NVU-Johnson or NVU-Lyndon campuses, or both, losing athletics. Morrisville's departure leaves the United East Conference with eight teams, and the departure of Lesley reduces the New England Collegiate Conference to just three schools in 2023-24.
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."
Morrisville sponsors 16 intercollegiate sports, including ten sponsored by the NAC: men's & women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and 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 and western equestrian.
Lesley sponsors 14 intercollegiate sports, all but one of which are NAC sponsored sports: baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's track and 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."