SUNYAC adds full members Alfred State, SUNY Cobleskill & SUNY Delhi; 4 associates https://t.co/Uxfo7aszJm
— SUNYAC (@SUNYACsports) June 6, 2025
SYRACUSE, NY – The State University of New York Athletic Conference will expand to a dozen full-time members with the addition of three schools in 2026-27, while welcoming four new associates in two different sports for the upcoming year.
The announcement was made on Thursday, June 5, by Commissioner Tom DiCamillo following unanimous approval by the SUNYAC Presidents Council during the conference's annual meeting on June 4 in Syracuse, N.Y.
Alfred State, SUNY Cobleskill and SUNY Delhi will join the SUNYAC as full-member institutions beginning in the fall of 2026. All three institutions are associate members in track and field with Cobleskill and Delhi participating as associates in cross country this coming fall for the first time.
Also beginning this fall, Penn State Altoona, Penn State Behrend and Pitt-Bradford will become associate members of the conference in the sports of men's and women's swimming & diving, while Elmira has been accepted as the ninth SUNYAC men's wrestling program in the league.
"The unprecedented growth by the SUNYAC over the last 21 months firmly entrenches the conference as a destination for NCAA Division III student-athletes," Alberto Cardelle, the president of SUNY Oneonta, chair of the SUNYAC Presidents Council, and a member of the NCAA Division III Presidents Council, stated. "The SUNYAC student-athlete experience combines challenging intercollegiate competition in 22 sports with an array of academic opportunities aligned with the careers of the future."
This marks the sixth round of SUNYAC expansion since October 2023 and sets the conference membership at 12 full members and 13 associates beginning with the 2026-27 campaign. The 13 associates will field 24 teams in nine different sports, and as a conference, the SUNYAC will boast 25 different member institutions.
"This addition of Alfred State, SUNY Cobleskill and SUNY Delhi as full member institutions will register as a pivotal moment in the history of the SUNYAC," Commissioner Tom DiCamillo said. "In the proverbial shifting sands of today's world of intercollegiate athletics, the SUNYAC is stable, powerful and has positioned itself as an NCAA Division III leader for the foreseeable future."
DiCamillo also expressed appreciation for the associate members joining the SUNYAC in swimming and diving, as well as men's wrestling.
"The partnership with the AMCC schools this past winter produced an outstanding championship event that excited both conferences. When the three remaining AMCC institutions sponsoring swimming and diving requested to join the SUNYAC as associate members, it was without hesitation that we would welcome them into our conference."
The SUNYAC is in the process of reimagining championships and league schedules to adapt to the expanding conference membership. That work will continue throughout the summer months as committees review a spectrum of options and opportunities.
A current member of the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference, Alfred State is excited about aligning with its sister SUNY institutions. The Pioneers sponsor 16 SUNYAC programs that include the following:
Baseball
Basketball (Men's & Women's)
Cross Country (Men's & Women's)
Lacrosse (Men's & Women's)
Soccer (Men's & Women's)
Softball
Track & Field – Indoor & Outdoor (Men's & Women's)
Volleyball (Women's)
Wrestling (Men's)
"More than 400 student athletes choose to attend Alfred State every year to get a high-quality education and compete in sports," Dr. Steven Mauro, president of the institution, said. "The move to the SUNYAC conference represents our latest effort to continue to invest in the development of these students both on and off the field of play. The SUNYAC is well known in New York State and across the NCAA for its high caliber of competition, and we are looking forward to being a part of that."
Jason Doviak, the director of athletics for the Pioneers and a member of the NCAA Division III Championships Committee, brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the SUNYAC that reflects Alfred State's growing program.
"We are honored and excited to be accepted into the SUNYAC, a conference that sets a high standard for both athletic competition and academic achievement in NCAA Division III," he stated. "This is a significant milestone for Alfred State, and a testament to the commitment shown by our student-athletes, coaches, staff and administration in building a strong and balanced program. Joining the SUNYAC will challenge us to elevate our performance during competition while continuing to prioritize academic excellence. We're eager to compete at this level and to represent Alfred State among such highly regarded institutions."
The college's proximity in Western New York aligns with the locations of Buffalo State and Fredonia – the two most western members of the SUNYAC.
SUNY Delhi and SUNY Cobleskill are both located within 45 minutes of Oneonta and expands the geographic footprint of the SUNYAC in the region. Delhi solidifies the automatic qualifier for the SUNYAC in women's tennis.
The Broncos were previously admitted as associate members for indoor and outdoor track & field beginning with the 2024-25 campaign and will join the SUNYAC for 2025-26 as associate members in men's and women's cross country and swimming & diving.
"Joining the SUNYAC for all our athletic offerings represents a proud milestone for SUNY Delhi," Dr. Mary Bonderoff, the president of the university, explained. "This transition not only elevates our athletic programs but also reinforces our dedication to student success both on the field and in the classroom. We look forward to competing with our SUNY peers and continuing to build a legacy of excellence and school pride."
A current member of the North Atlantic Conference, Delhi sponsors 16 SUNYAC programs that include the following:
Basketball (Men's & Women's)
Cross Country (Men's & Women's)
Lacrosse (Men's)
Soccer (Men's & Women's)
Softball
Swimming & Diving (Men's & Women's)
Tennis (Women's)
Track & Field – Indoor & Outdoor (Men's & Women's)
Volleyball (Women's)
"I would like to thank the SUNYAC Presidents and Commissioner DiCamillo for this opportunity," Director of Athletics Robb Munro said. "SUNY Delhi is honored to be accepted into the SUNYAC. This marks an exciting new chapter for our athletic department and reflects the hard work and dedication of our student-athletes, coaches and staff. More importantly, it gives us a forever home for our programs."
Munro brings his experience as a track and field coach to the conference and served as the voice of the SUNYAC Track & Field Championships in 2025 as the league debuted its broadcast on the SUNYAC Sports Network.
"The SUNYAC already has been terrific for our cross country and track and field programs," Munro added. "Now we look forward to competing at a high level and building lasting relationships within the SUNYAC for all our other programs."
A current member of the North Atlantic Conference as well, SUNY Cobleskill sponsors 14 SUNYAC programs that include the following:
Baseball
Basketball (Men's & Women's)
Cross Country (Men's & Women's)
Lacrosse (Men's)
Soccer (Men's & Women's)
Softball
Track & Field – Indoor & Outdoor (Men's & Women's)
Volleyball (Women's)
"We are honored to be joining this prestigious conference that represents the very best of SUNY athletics," Dr. Marion Terenzio, president of SUNY Cobleskill, said. "Our athletic programs have grown immensely since joining NCAA Division III competition, and we believe this move positions our programs for continued success while strengthening the bonds within the SUNY system. We welcome the exceptional competitive opportunities that SUNYAC membership will bring to our student-athletes, and we're excited to support them as they prepare to take on the competition and embrace new rivalries."
The Fighting Tigers membership in the SUNYAC returns former Buffalo State athletic administrator and head softball coach Marie Curran to the fold as the director of athletics for SUNY Cobleskill.
"This is a transformative moment for SUNY Cobleskill Athletics as we prepare to join the SUNYAC beginning in the 2026–27 academic year," Curran stated. "Joining the conference represents a significant step forward for our athletic programs and reflects the collective efforts of our student-athletes, coaches, and institutional leadership. We look forward to the innumerable opportunities this affiliation will provide for our campus and community."
SUNY Cobleskill is in the process of transforming its athletic facilities with a major investment in moving, redeveloping, turfing and lighting its softball and baseball fields, while also constructing a multiuse complex that includes a track centered with a field for men's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, and the addition of field hockey and women's lacrosse. The addition of field hockey will secure the automatic qualifier for the SUNYAC as it remains a six-team conference.
During the 2024-25 campaign, the SUNYAC partnered with the AMCC to provide a joint conference championship experience at the Flickinger Center in Buffalo, NY. Beginning in 2025-26, that partnership is evolving into membership as Penn State Altoona, Penn State Behrend and Pitt-Bradford join the SUNYAC as associate members.
The swimmers and divers from all three schools are now eligible for weekly and annual honors bestowed by the conference on its coaches and student athletes. The championship name will revert to the SUNYAC Men's & Women's Swimming & Diving Championships.
"Penn State Behrend is excited to again compete against all the quality swimmers of the SUNYAC schools," Brian Streeter, the director of athletics at PSU Behrend, stated. "This opportunity enhances the experiences that we want for our athletes. The quality meet that the SUNYAC runs is one of the best in Division III."
Brent Baird, the athletic director at Penn State Altoona, echoed Streeter's comments.
"Penn State Altoona is excited to continue our relationship with the SUNYAC in swimming," he said. "Our student-athletes had a great experience at the championships, and it enhanced their competitive experience at the end of the season. The SUNYAC runs a first-rate championship that we are looking forward to again this coming season and into the future."
Chelsea Schwab, the head coach at Pitt-Bradford, is excited to have her team become associate members of the SUNYAC.
"We are happy to be joining the SUNYAC as an associate member and look forward to competing among the SUNYAC teams," she said.
When Alfred State joins the SUNYAC in 2026-27, the conference's men's wrestling programs will increase to 10. The ninth program to join the league is Elmira College which will begin competition in the SUNYAC this coming year.
"I would like to thank the SUNYAC membership for allowing Elmira men's wrestling program to join their team," Rhonda Faunce, the director of athletics for the Soaring Eagles, said. "Being a part of such a strong established conference has great benefits for our wrestling team and coaches. The wrestlers are very excited to be able to say they finally have a home. They also are thankful to now have a more consistent schedule, and the opportunities for post-season and individual and team awards. It is a good day for the EC athletics program."
The SUNYAC returned men's wrestling to the conference championship portfolio in the fall of 2023. The league features core SUNYAC members Cortland, Oneonta and Oswego, and associates Brockport, Ithaca, RIT, St. John Fisher and Utica.
In May of 2023, the SUNYAC had just one associate member competing in two sports while sponsoring 20 conference championships. Entering the 2026-27 season of competition, the SUNYAC will be offering 22 championships, increase its full membership to 12, and boast 13 associate members for a total of 25 different institutions being members of the SUNYAC.
"The growth in the SUNYAC has been unprecedented and illustrates the strength of the league and its position as one of the premier NCAA Division III conferences," DiCamillo said. "There is no doubt we are stronger than ever."
The expansion of the SUNYAC began on May 12, 2023, when the conference absorbed the Northeast Women's Hockey League that had operated as a separate entity and was overseen by DiCamillo.
Buffalo State, Cortland, Oswego, Plattsburgh and Potsdam brought their women's programs into the SUNYAC, while Canton and Morrisville became associate members in the sport. The SUNYAC also admitted Canton as an associate member in men's ice hockey at that time.
Almost five months later on Oct. 5, 2023, the SUNYAC invited Canton and Morrisville to become full members, added Alfred State in men's and women's indoor and outdoor track & field, and returned men's wrestling to the fold as a conference sport after roughly a three-decade absence.
SUNYAC men's wrestling featured then-full member institutions Brockport, Cortland, Oneonta and Oswego, and added Ithaca, RIT, St. John Fisher and Utica to round out the eight-team league. Brockport transitioned to an associate member in the sport in 2024-25.
On April 10, 2024, the SUNYAC strengthened its ice hockey conference by adding Hobart – the now three-time NCAA Division III National Champion – and Skidmore on the men's side, and William Smith as the eighth team for the women. The programs will begin competition this fall.
Two days later on April 12, 2024, the SUNYAC admitted SUNY Delhi and Hilbert as associate members for indoor and outdoor track & field beginning this year, while Delhi's cross country programs will begin competition in the fall of 2025.
On June 18, 2024, the SUNYAC added Salisbury field hockey to its conference as the Sea Gulls will begin competition this coming fall.