Stevenson Accepted into ECAC Men’s West Hockey League
DANBURY, Conn. - Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) President and CEO Dr. Kevin T. McGinniss has announced the acceptance of Stevenson University into the ECAC Men’s West Ice Hockey League, beginning in the 2016-17 academic year. The Mustangs are elevating their Ice Hockey Program from club status to varsity and will begin a national search for a head coach.
The addition of Stevenson gives the ECAC Men’s West a total of seven teams and makes the league eligible for an automatic qualification into the NCAA Tournament. The league could receive an automatic qualification for its league champion as early as the 2018-19 season.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Stevenson into the ECAC Men’s West Hockey League,” said ECAC President & CEO Dr. Kevin T. McGinniss. “Stevenson has been an innovative athletics program under the leadership of Brett Adams, and adding ice hockey is yet another reminder of their strong commitment to their student-athletes. They will be a great addition to an already extremely competitive league.”
The Mustangs will join current league members, Hobart College, Neumann University, Nazareth College, Elmira College, Utica College and Manhattanville College.
The success of our Women’s Ice Hockey team really paved the way for the addition of a men’s program,” said Brett Adams, Stevenson’s Director of Athletics. “Not only is our women’s squad enjoying success on the ice, but the quality of student-athletes we are attracting through the program fits Stevenson University perfectly. We are excited to offer this opportunity to men’s ice hockey players across the region as well.”
About the ECAC
In the 76 years since its inception, the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) has emerged as the nation's largest Conference. The ECAC has grown considerably from its charter membership of 58, currently boasting over 300 member schools in Divisions I, II and III, ranging in location from Maine to South Carolina, and westerly to Missouri. In the 2014-15 academic year, the ECAC will host nearly 100 championships in 32 men's and women's sports as the sponsors of over 5,800 varsity teams and 111,000 male and female athletes. For more information, visit www.ecacsports.com.