Union and Clarkson have been extended membership into the ECAC Division I Women’s Hockey League. Union will join the league in the 2003-04 season, while Clarkson was voted in effective with the 2004-05 campaign.
“Both schools boast rich hockey traditions and a history of academic success that will make them strong members of the league,” said ECAC Commissioner Phil Buttafuoco. “In addition, the inclusion of the two programs will open new opportunities for the existing members as the women’s league becomes more compatible with the men’s league.”
Current league members include Brown, Colgate, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, St. Lawrence, Vermont, and Yale.
Union is in its fourth season of varsity competition where it has competed as a member of the ECAC Division III East Women’s League. In 2001-02, the Dutchwomen finished in sixth place with a record of 8-9-1 in conference play and 8-16-2 overall. Coach Fred Quistgard has guided the program since its inception.
Clarkson announced its women’s hockey program in September, and will begin competition as an independent in 2003-04 against a mixture of Division I and III teams. Rick Seeley, previously the women’s coach at Manhattanville, was appointed Clarkson’s first women’s coach.
