Lock Haven will join the Atlantic 10 Conference as an affiliate member in field hockey beginning in 2010. The Bald Eagles will play a seven-game league schedule and will be eligible for both the regular-season and tournament championships next fall.

Lock Haven joins Massachusetts, Saint Joseph’s, Saint Louis, Temple, West Chester and reigning conference champion Richmond in the Atlantic 10.

The Bald Eagles have played in the Division I Field Hockey Championship the past four years as members of the Northeast Conference. Head coach Pat Rudy led the team to the Division II championship in 2000 and has a record of 249-60.

“The Atlantic 10 is well-respected in the sport, and the level of competition will be challenging,” said Lock Haven Athletics Director Sharon Taylor. “At the same time, I believe our field hockey program will only contribute to the A-10’s excellence. We’re all looking forward to our association, now and into the future.”