Empire 8 Statement on Norwich University Football Departure
September 17, 2007
ROCHESTER, NY -- On September 12, Norwich University announced it will be leaving the Empire 8 in football for the 2009 season to join the North Atlantic Conference as an associate member.
“We certainly wish Norwich all the best in its new venture in the NAC football conference and look forward to competing with them through 2008 in the Empire 8.” says Empire 8 Commissioner Chuck Mitrano. “As for the future of our football conference, we are committed to maintaining quality experiences and opportunities for our student-athletes in all sports and football is no exception. We will consider all options as we continue to move forward and enhance our outstanding conference.”
At the 2006 NCAA Convention, the Empire 8 sponsored a legislative proposal which provides conferences who have Automatic Qualification status a two-year grace period should they fall below the minimum of seven teams. The proposal was eventually passed by the membership and will allow Empire 8 to retain its AQ in football through the 2010-11 academic year.
Empire 8 boasts one of the strongest football conferences in the country with two teams currently ranked nationally in the d3football.com Top 20 (No. 6 St. John Fisher College, No. 18 Springfield College) and Alfred University on the cusp of cracking the Top 25.
Empire 8 consists of Alfred University (NY), Elmira College (NY), Hartwick College (NY), Ithaca College (NY), Nazareth College (NY), Rochester Institute of Technology (NY), St. John Fisher College (NY), Stevens Institute of Technology (NJ), Utica College (NY) with affiliate members Washington & Jefferson College (PA – field hockey only), Norwich University (VT – Football Only) and Springfield College (MA - Football Only).