Conferences: State University of New York at Binghamton will join America East on July 1, bringing the total membership in the conference to nine schools. The expansion is the second in less than three months for America East. State University of New York at Albany and State University of New York at Stony Brook were added in January to compensate for the University of Delaware, Drexel University, Towson University and Hofstra University joining the Colonial Athletic Conference. Binghamton will compete in 15 varsity sports, including men's and women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's swimming and diving, men's and women's indoor track and field, baseball, softball, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's outdoor track and field, and men's golf next year. The Bearcats will join America East in men's and women's soccer and volleyball in the fall of 2002. The move coincides with Binghamton's move to Division I. "To begin our first year in Division I as a member of America East rather than as an independent is truly exciting," said Binghamton President Lois B. DeFleur. "Not many schools have such an opportunity right out of the gate, and we see it as a crowning moment for our program." Binghamton will be eligible for all America East championships with the exception of men's basketball, which carries an NCAA-mandated two-year wait. However, the Bearcats will participate fully in the men's basketball regular-season conference schedule this year, but won't be eligible for the league's men's basketball championship until 2004. Also, America East has extended associate memberships to Delaware, Drexel, Hofstra and Towson in men's and women's soccer, and field hockey next fall. Drexel and Towson also will be associate members in volleyball in the fall. Binghamton, Albany (New York) and Stony Brook join Boston University; the University of Hartford; the University of Maine, Orono; the University of New Hampshire; Northeastern University; and the University of Vermont as America East members. "The addition of Binghamton, combined with the recent additions of Albany and Stony Brook puts America East in position to move forward as a significant mid-major conference in this part of the country," said America East Commissioner Chris Monasch.

Miscellaneous: After a 15-month study involving an internal committee and local and national branding experts, the University of Washington announced a new, consolidated identity program. The identity launch includes new uniforms for six athletics programs, an enhanced block W logo, a new secondary animated Husky logo, new word marks and new color schemes. "We needed to review our marks and come up with a program that would work for all of our sports and give Washington athletics a uniform look," said Barbara Hedges, Washington's director of athletics. "We wanted to accomplish that goal, but not at the risk of losing any of the heritage and tradition that has been built over time." Application of the new marks began last fall when Washington installed its new FieldTurf playing surface in Husky Stadium. Washington's new secondary logo features a more modernistic Husky. The distinctive looking mark depicts an alerted Husky with strong, bold features, that represents character, fight, tenacity and courage. The logo can stand alone or with the words "Washington," "Huskies" or "Dawgs" beneath it. The new identity launch also enhances Washington's primary school colors and adds a new accent color. The new gold has less orange tint, while the purple is a darker shade that was more traditional for Washington's teams until the past two decades. A cool gray has been added as a possible highlight color for uniforms such as baseball and for general sportswear ... The Mid-Continent Conference has signed a three-year agreement with Strategic Marketing Affiliates, Inc. of Lafayette, Indiana, to represent the conference in all of its marketing efforts, including corporate partner- ships, licensing, merchandising, brand building and new revenue generation. The group also will work with the league's tournament and championship concessionaires on product selection and display.

-- Compiled by Gary T. Brown