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New conference formed for DIII men’s volleyball

Twelve Division III institutions have banded together to form a men’s volleyball conference in anticipation of legislation being approved at the 2011 NCAA Convention that establishes a Division III Men’s Volleyball Championship that would debut in spring 2012.

Vassar College President Catherine B. Hill announced the formation of the United Volleyball Conference on Tuesday.

The UVC consists of:

• Bard College
• D’Youville College
• Elmira College
• Hilbert College
• Medaille College
• Nazareth College
• New York University
• Pennsylvania State University Erie, the Behrend College
• Stevens Institute of Technology
• State University of New York Institute of Technology at Utica/Rome
• State University College at New Paltz
• Vassar College

“I know I speak for all UVC members when I say how proud we are to be a part of this new group that will play an integral role in the transition of Division III men’s volleyball to an NCAA championship structure,” said Russell Rogers, the director of athletics at Stevens Institute of Technology and vice president of the new league. “The conference is going to provide an outstanding experience for its student-athletes and add excitement to student life on each of our campuses.”

The inaugural season will include 10 of the 12 members. New York U. is completing its final season with the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association. Penn State-Behrend recently added the sport and will begin play in 2011-12.

The UVC has already been recognized by the NCAA as an officially sanctioned single-sport conference, an important move as the Division III membership prepares to adopt men’s volleyball as an NCAA Division III championship sport this January.

“The UVC features an excellent blend of outstanding institutions,” said Chuck Mitrano, commissioner of the UVC and of the Empire 8 Athletic Conference. “With the outstanding leadership of the presidents, athletics directors and coaches, it is going to be a vibrant and exceptional conference for many years to come.”