North Atlantic Conference Press Release
WATEVILLE, 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."
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.
