SUNY New Paltz announces it will begin the two-year process to exit the SUNYAC and find a new conference starting in 2026-27. The rationale: “The primary goal of this transition will be to improve the athletics and academic experience for all SUNY New Paltz students – including student athletes on our 16 varsity teams as well as the thousands of students who take advantage of intramural sports, athletics facilities, group exercise classes and the many other wellness opportunities provided on our campus. […] A major component of this plan will be to reduce away-game travel time for varsity teams. New Paltz athletes currently average four hours of transit time for road contests against SUNYAC teams, many of which take place at distant sites in western and northern New York.” AD Renee Bostic: “A conference change presents opportunities to enhance the profile and competitiveness of Hawks athletics programs at a time when our varsity teams are performing at historic levels. The transition to a new conference will position SUNY New Paltz to expand its athletics recruitment footprint, as well as our overall institutional awareness, beyond our historical markets.” (link)