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| SUNY Geneseo and Brockport will be the 10th and 11th members of the Empire 8, assuming no further membership changes. |
The Empire 8 Conference is pleased to announce the addition of Brockport and SUNY Geneseo, anticipated for the 2024-25 academic year. With the addition of Brockport and Geneseo, the E8 will be comprised of 11 members, all located in New York State. The conference currently sponsors 23 NCAA Division III sports.
“I extend a warm welcome from the Empire 8 Athletic Conference to SUNY Brockport and SUNY Geneseo,” said Nazareth president Beth Paul, who serves as the chair of the Empire 8 President’s Council. “As our newest core members, Brockport and Geneseo reflect the deep commitment of the Empire 8 to maximizing the strengths of the student-athlete experience. Together, the Empire 8 conference exemplifies the best of NCAA Division III athletics, with a most impressive record of athletic, academic and leadership success. The future is bright for Empire 8 student athletes!”
The two state schools join Alfred, Elmira, Hartwick, Houghton, Keuka, Nazareth, Russell Sage, St. John Fisher and Utica as full-time members. Only a handful of conferences in Division III mix state and private institutions, including the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference. The Capital Athletic Conference was nearly an even split before it underwent massive membership change in recent years, and the American Southwest Conference, which had three state schools as recently as five years ago, will have none next season.
Division III membership is approximately 25 percent state schools.
"SUNY Brockport is proud to join the Empire 8, an athletic conference that we believe is a perfect fit for our university. That’s because the Empire 8's priorities mirror our own —emphasizing both athletic and academic excellence,” said Brockport president Heidi Macpherson. “We are eager to embrace the opportunities this new relationship presents. We are confident that it will strengthen our athletic programs and enhance the overall experience of our student-athletes. We look forward to the camaraderie and spirited competition that awaits us in the Empire 8.”
Brockport sponsors 23 NCAA Division III varsity sports with a total roster of 650 student-athletes.
“SUNY Geneseo prides itself on offering equally exemplary academics and athletics, a rare combination," said Geneseo president Denise Battles. "We are thrilled to join the Empire 8, a conference that has earned an outstanding reputation for competitive excellence as well as its leadership in NCAA Division III, most notably in sportsmanship and student-athlete development. This move enhances the overall student-athlete experience, which is of paramount importance to Geneseo.”
The Knights are known both for stellar academic and athletic programs. SUNY Geneseo competes in 21 varsity sports and has finished in the top 25 in the Division III Learfield Sports/NACDA Directors Cup standings each of the last six completed years of competition.
“We are ecstatic to welcome Brockport and Geneseo as core members of the Empire 8,” said Empire 8 Executive Commissioner Chuck Mitrano. “Both institutions have excellent academic profiles, field competitive teams, and are committed to enhancing the student-athlete experience. Like our current members, their athletes are highly accomplished in the classroom and active in their communities. Both institutions are passionate about the role intercollegiate athletics plays in the educational mission developing young women and men into well-rounded future leaders. Moreover, they fit into our geographic footprint enabling us to retain and strengthen opportunities for our student-athletes while being fiscally responsible. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary and reflect on our history, this is an exciting look into a very bright future for the Empire 8.”
Founded in 1998, the Empire 8 is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2023-24. With the addition of Brockport and Geneseo in the fall of 2024, the conference will consist of 11 full-time member institutions.
“This is an exciting new chapter in the storied history of Geneseo athletics,” said Geneseo athletic director Dani Drews. “We are grateful for the opportunity to join such a respected conference as the Empire 8, providing our student-athletes with an outstanding NCAA Division III experience that supports their academic and athletic excellence.”
“We are thrilled to join the Empire 8 Conference. This move represents a new chapter in SUNY Brockport's commitment to excellence, competition, and growth,” said Brockport athletic director Erick Hart. “As we embark on this journey, we look forward to forging strong rivalries, showcasing our student-athletes, and embracing the values of sportsmanship and teamwork that define the Empire 8. Our dedicated athletes, coaches, and staff are poised to make their mark and continue our tradition of success in this dynamic conference.”