General | 3/14/2006 3:30:00 PM
ROCHESTER, NY – The President's Council of the Empire 8 Athletic Conference is pleased to announce the addition of Stevens Institute of Technology (Hoboken, NJ) as a full member effective fall 2007. In addition, the Ducks will compete as an Empire 8 field hockey member effective fall 2006.
"The addition of Stevens Institute to the Empire 8 is an exciting development" said Empire 8 and Alfred University President Dr. Charles M. Edmondson. "Not only does Stevens share our conference philosophy of athletics as a learning experience for students, it also adds to our already strong reputation for academic excellence."
"Stevens Institute of Technology is honored to become a member of the Empire 8 which consists of highly respected educational institutions dedicated to enhancing the learning experience of their students and to conducting the highest caliber programs for their student-athletes," said Stevens Institute of Technology President Harold J. Raveche.
Founded in 1870, Stevens is one of the leading technological universities in the world dedicated to study and research. Stevens offers baccalaureates, master's and doctoral degrees in engineering, science, computer science and management, in addition to a baccalaureate degree in the humanities and liberal arts, and in business and technology. The university has a total enrollment of 1,780 undergraduate and 2,700 graduate students. Located on a scenic, 55-acre park-like campus just across the river from midtown Manhattan, Stevens also conducts international programs in China, Europe, Latin America, Turkey and the Middle East.
"Stevens is a first class university. They have an outstanding academic profile and field highly successful athletic programs," said Empire 8 Commissioner Chuck Mitrano. "They are a perfect fit and we are very proud to have them as part of our family."
Empire 8, which hopes to add at least one additional full member, sponsors 22 sports and Stevens will participate in all conference sports with the exception of football. Several of Empire 8's sports and teams are regarded as the very best in the east region and nation.
"The Empire 8 is one of the most well established and respected NCAA Division III athletic conferences in the nation," said Stevens Institute of Technology Director of Athletics Russell Rogers. "Stevens is excited to join this outstanding group of institutions and we look forward to the many special relationships soon to form as a result of our new affiliation."
Stevens currently ranks 11th on the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Division III Director's Cup standings. The Ducks' men's and women's soccer teams advanced to the Sweet 16 in November while its women's volleyball team participated in the NCAA Regional Semi-finals. Its men's and women's lacrosse teams currently rank in the top 15 nationally as well. The addition of Stevens gives Empire 8 an automatic qualifier in field hockey effective fall 2008.
Empire 8 has established itself as an innovative and progressive athletic conference that is considered a national leader in sportsmanship education and policy. Empire 8 is dedicated to enhancing the experiences of its student-athletes and celebrating the academic and athletic achievements of its young men, women and member institutions. Its student-athletes are also highly accomplished in the classroom recently compiling a 3.096 conference-wide grade point average while 459 of its student-athletes were named to the Empire 8 Presidents' List after attaining a 3.75 or better GPA for the term. In addition 69 of its member athletic teams collected a 3.2 grade point average or better.
Empire 8 full members include Alfred University, Elmira College, Hartwick College, Ithaca College, Nazareth College, Rochester Institute of Technology, St. John Fisher College and Utica College all in New York State. Empire 8 also has affiliates in football (Norwich University and Springfield College) and field hockey (Washington & Jefferson College).
