Nazareth College has been accepted for membership in the ECAC West, joining longtime members Elmira, Hobart, Manhattanville, Neumann and Utica.
The Golden Flyers, a new program in Division III hockey located in Pittsford, N.Y., a Rochester suburb, will begin competition in the fall of 2012.
“We think that top to bottom, this is one of the top conferences in the country,” said Nazareth coach George Roll in a news release. “It could be tough for us coming out of the gate, but we’re excited about the opportunity that the ECAC has given us.”
League members will continue to play each other three times in the 2012-2013 season, resulting in a 15-game league schedule.
Nazareth will play its home games at the 2,300 seat Sports Centre at Monroe Community College, with its first home game against Geneseo on October 19, 2012.
“Nazareth will be an exceptional addition to the ECAC Men’s West ice hockey league,” ECAC commissioner Rudy Keeling said in a statement. “Their rich history of athletic success has paved the way for their men’s hockey program to be a strong contender immediately. The ECAC is excited to welcome the institution as our newest member.”
