Jul 20, 2010 9:56:17 AM

Regis College (Massachusetts) on Monday accepted an invitation to become the 10th member of the New England Collegiate Conference at the close of the 2010-11 academic year.

Regis will be the first full-time member the NECC has added since the league's inception in 2008.

Regis President Mary Jane England said the NECC's commitment to the student-athlete, particularly with regard to academic achievement and sportsmanship, "is deeply compatible with our educational values at Regis."

"In addition," she said, "Regis students and coaches are looking forward to welcoming NECC members to our splendid new athletics facilities and letting the games begin."  

The NECC currently sponsors conference championships in 14 sports: baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, field hockey, men's golf, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's tennis, and men's and women's volleyball. Women's lacrosse will be added as a conference sport in 2012.

Regis, presently a member of the Commonwealth Coast Conference, sponsors seven men's sports and 10 for women. The Pride will compete in all NECC sports except baseball.

"Competing within the NECC is a great opportunity for Regis," said Regis Athletics Director Marybeth Lamb. "The NECC offers a great fit athletically and promotes – as we do – sportsmanship and equity."

The New England Collegiate Conference just completed its second year. Current members are Bay Path College, Becker College, Daniel Webster College, Elms College, Lesley University, Mitchell College, Newbury College, Southern Vermont College and Wheelock College.