The New England Collegiate Conference is boosting league sponsorship of men’s golf to seven schools with the addition of Babson as an associate member in the sport.

Babson, which plays other sports in the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference, will begin NECC golf play during the coming academic year.

“The Babson College golf program has enjoyed a storied history of success over the past several decades with five NCAA tournament appearances and outstanding performances in the New England Intercollegiate Golf Association (NEIGA) Championships,” NECC Commissioner Del Malloy said.

Babson joins fellow NEWMAC member Springfield as an associate member of the NECC in golf. NECC members Becker, Daniel Webster, Elms, Mitchell and Newbury also sponsor golf.

The NECC gained active conference membership in Division III in 2008-2009 and will receive automatic bids into NCAA tournaments in seven sports during the 2010-2011 academic year. Men’s golf is one of 14 sports in which the conference conducts a championship.