Conferences: The Great Northeast Athletic Conference announced that Lasell College, Mount Ida College and Saint Joseph’s College (Maine) have accepted invitations to join the league beginning with the 2007-08 academic year. The additions will increase the league’s membership to 16 schools. "In addition to academic, geographic, demographic and athletics programming similarities with the existing members of the GNAC, the three new schools also have demonstrated a track record of commitment to the GNAC core values of community service, sportsmanship and integrity," said Commissioner Joe Walsh. "Over the course of a comprehensive nine-month application process, it was evident that the student-athletes and coaching staffs at these three colleges benefit from a strong institutional commitment to their athletics programs." Administrators at the three schools said GNAC membership provides opportunities while supporting institutional objectives. "The GNAC is a good fit for Lasell College as it will give us a greater presence in the Boston area and align us with like institutions," said Athletics Director Kristy Walter of Lasell, current a member of the North Atlantic Conference. Mount Ida Athletics Director Jacqueline Palmer said the move will provide students with an "appropriate sports experience" consistent with the school’s ideals: "The GNAC’s commitment to sportsmanship and community service and integrity are right on line with what we try to accomplish in our programs." Mount Ida also currently is an NAC member. At Saint Joseph’s, currently an independent, "Being affiliated with the GNAC, its history and its championships is something the college has worked toward for some time," said Athletics Director Brian Curtin ... Seven Division III institutions that announced plans last winter to form a new conference have settled on a name. The Landmark Conference will include Catholic University of America, Drew University, Goucher College, Juniata College, Moravian College, Susquehanna University and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Athletics directors from the schools met for the first time June 9 and indicated they expect to announce an eighth member of the league and appoint a commissioner by the end of the summer. The conference’s new name refers to the many historical landmarks located near the conference’s schools in the eastern United States, but also is intended to symbolize an alignment of institutions of similar size that share educational philosophies and high academic standards ... Birmingham-Southern College, which announced plans May 26 to seek reclassification from Division I to Division III, will join the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference as its 12th member upon approval of the move. The school plans to add football and begin its transition into the conference during the 2007-08 academic year. "The addition of Birmingham-Southern College signals a message from our presidents that we are committed to providing an athletics environment for student-athletes that reflects two important aspects — a first-class liberal arts education and the opportunity to compete with similar colleges and universities at the Division III level," said SCAC Commissioner Steve Argo. Birmingham-Southern President David Pollick said affiliation with the SCAC is a "natural fit" for his school. "This is a group of institutions among which we belong in terms of our academic mission and our intercollegiate athletics program," he said. "Our scholar-athletes can compete on the playing fields and courts while at the same time preparing for extraordinary careers." The school currently sponsors 13 of the 19 sports that are sponsored by SCAC members — baseball; men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, golf, soccer and tennis; softball; and women’s volleyball.