Cleveland -- The North Coast Athletic Conference has strengthened its field hockey membership with the addition of Transylvania University and Washington & Jefferson College as affiliate members effective for the fall of 2023.
 
This brings NCAC field hockey sponsorship to eleven institutions including full-member institutions Denison University, DePauw University, Kenyon College, Oberlin College, Ohio Wesleyan University, Wittenberg University and the College of Wooster, along with current affiliate members Allegheny College and Earlham College.
 
"Transylvania University and Washington & Jefferson College are excellent colleges who share our passion and commitment to high level Division III athletics," stated Adam Weinberg, president of the NCAC and Denison University. "We are excited to welcome them into the NCAC."
 
"This is an exciting step for NCAC field hockey," stated Executive Director Keri Alexander Luchowski. "Our programs have long established relationships with both the Pioneers and the Presidents, and I’m so pleased to formally welcome them into the NCAC Field Hockey family. I look forward to watching our relationships grow in the coming years throughout conference competition.”
 
As the only Division III conference in the Great Lakes footprint, the addition of two members helps solidify conference field hockey schedules into the future. The NCAC will now be able to offer single round-robin play within the conference, allowing members to play a 10-game schedule and still leave room for competitive non-conference opportunities. Said Alexander Luchowski, “I couldn’t be more pleased that we are able to support the sport of field hockey in the conference, and it’s especially meaningful to do so within this year of the 50th anniversary of Title IX."
 
Transylvania and Washington & Jefferson are both currently under similar affiliate relationships with other Division III conferences.
 
The Pioneers are an associate field hockey member of the Southern Athletic Association (SAA), a partnership that began with the 2004 season. Transylvania posted a third-place finish (tie) in the SAA this fall; the Pioneers advanced to the semifinals of the SAA Tournament with a 1-0 victory over Concordia University (WI) before bowing out of the tourney with a loss to runner-up Rhodes. The majority of Pioneer teams compete in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC); several sports are independent.
 
"We are excited to join the North Coast Conference as an affiliate member in field hockey, said Transylvania Vice President of Athletics Holly Sheilley. “The opportunity to participate in conference play, with the number and caliber of teams, is something that we look forward to and believe it will help to strengthen one of the oldest women's teams on our campus."
 
The Presidents are an associate field hockey member of the Empire 8 (E8), a partnership that began in 2006. W&J clinched a spot in the conference tournament, with a fifth-place finish this fall. The Presidents closed out their 2022 campaign in the first round of the E8 tourney. The majority of W&J teams participate in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC); men’s water polo plays in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, while the women are a member of the Collegiate Water Polo Association.
 
“Washington & Jefferson College is delighted to accept the offer to join the NCAC as an affiliate field hockey member,’ said Director of Athletics Scott McGuinness. “We have annually competed against NCAC opponents during the non-conference portion of our schedule, and we greatly respect the quality student-athletes, coaches, and administrators in this conference. This is an exciting opportunity for our field hockey program.”
 
The NCAC anticipates field hockey schedules for the fall of 2023 to be shared in the coming weeks.
 
About Transylvania University
Transylvania University, located in the heart of downtown Lexington, Kentucky, is a top ranked private liberal arts college featuring a community-driven, personalized approach to a liberal arts education through 48 majors. Founded in 1780, it is the 16th oldest institution of higher learning in the country, with approximately 1,000 students. Visit Transylvania Athletics.
 
About Washington & Jefferson College
Founded in 1781, right after the end of the battles for American independence, Washington & Jefferson College is recognized nationally as a highly selective, residential, student-centered liberal arts college with an exceptional record of producing future leaders, whose graduates are prepared for a breadth of life opportunities and professional success. Visit Washington & Jefferson Athletics.
 
About the North Coast Athletic Conference
Founded in 1983, the North Coast Athletic Conference consists of nine academically selective colleges and universities - Denison University, DePauw University, Hiram College, Kenyon College, Oberlin College, Ohio Wesleyan University, Wabash College, Wittenberg University, and the College of Wooster along with affiliate members Allegheny College and Earlham College (field hockey). The NCAC sponsors 23 championship sports, 11 for men and 12 for women. For more information visit northcoast.org or follow the conference on Twitter and Instagram at @NCAC and on Facebook at @NorthCoastConf.