ECAC Announces Significant Changes to its Division III Fee Structure

ECAC Announces Significant Changes to its Division III Fee Structure

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DANBURY, Conn. - The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) announced today significant changes to its Division III fee structure to better address the needs of its membership. The changes, effective for the 2017-18 academic year, were announced by President/CEO Dan Coonan following unanimous approval by the ECAC Board of Directors.

The new fee structure for Division III is tailored to meet the specific needs of each member institution. For the first time, ECAC members will be able to choose from four options that best fit their needs.

"My first task as President/CEO of the ECAC was to listen. I got in my car and drove to meet with as many conference commissioners and athletic directors as I could to seek their opinions and advice about how the ECAC can best provide compelling value for intercollegiate athletics in the region. I concluded very quickly that the landscape of Division III had changed dramatically," said Coonan.

"As a staff we took a good, long look internally at who we are and what we might become," Coonan continued. "These changes are the first steps in implementation of a new vision and direction for the ECAC. We are also in the process of addressing ways we can add value for our Division I and II members going forward."

With the new structure, the ECAC will offer four options to its Division III constituents: (click here for PDF version)

Option 1: All-Inclusive Membership ($2,250)
Institutions are eligible for awards and championship consideration for all ECAC-sponsored sports.

Option 2: Individual Sports Membership ($1,200)
Institutions are eligible for awards and championship consideration in the following: men's and women's golf; men's and women's indoor and outdoor track & field*; men's and women's cross country*; men's and women's swimming & diving.
* If a DIII institution wishes to compete at the DI level for indoor/outdoor track & field, it must pay dues at the all-inclusive level.

Option 3: Team Sports Membership ($1,200)
Institutions are eligible for awards and championship consideration in the following: baseball; men's and women's basketball; field hockey; men's and women's golf; men's and women's lacrosse; men's and women's soccer; softball; men's and women's tennis; men's and women's volleyball.

Option 4: Football Membership ($1,200)
Institutions are eligible for awards in the sport of football and consideration for #ECACD3FBFEST.

These changes come on the heels of multiple new ECAC initiatives. The revitalized championship structure, which has been well received throughout the membership; the increased interest in #ECACD3FBFEST and the newly implemented Empowerment Series.

Membership benefits not associated with specific sports will remain available to all, regardless of level selected. Institutions are encouraged to take advantage of the Asa S. Bushnell Internship Program, Officiating Payment Service (OPS) and professional development opportunities through the ECAC Job Center, access to ECAC-SIDA and Empowerment Series events.

"Given the financial landscape many Division III institutions are facing, we do not want to increase dues for our members," said Vice President and CFO John Rollins. "Instead, we want to invest in improving the experiences of student-athletes throughout the region with our championships and awards program. We are hoping to continue to strengthen the partnership with current members and reconnect with past members as well."

"Changes are occurring all around the intercollegiate athletics landscape and the ECAC is listening to its membership," concluded Coonan. "Understanding what an institution's needs are and positioning them for success are part of the Conference's strategic planning process moving forward."

For more information regarding dues and ECAC membership, please contact ECAC Executive Assistant Meghan Crystal at mcrystal@ecac.org or 203-745-2892.

Click here for 2017-18 ECAC Dues Options
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ABOUT the ECAC
In the 77 years since its inception, the ECAC has emerged as the nation's largest Conference, ranging in location from Maine to Georgia, and westerly to Missouri. In 2015-16, the ECAC hosted nearly 100 championships in men's and women's sports as the sponsors of over 5,800 varsity teams and 111,000 student-athletes. For more information, visit www.ecacsports.com.

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