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Stevenson University and Hood College have accepted invitations to join the Middle Atlantic Conference, effective July 1, 2012. The two schools will be the 56th and 57th to become members of the MAC throughout the 100-year history of the conference.

The MAC now has 18 members in four states – Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Maryland.

“Stevenson and Hood are institution with a strong academic traditions and athletic programs that complement these traditions in ways that embody the ideals of Division III athletics,” said Steve MacDonald, Lebanon Valley College president and chair of the MAC presidents. “These two schools will strengthen the MAC, and we’re delighted to have them as our partners.”

Founded in 1912, the Middle Atlantic Conference is an organization of three conferences – Commonwealth, Freedom and Middle Atlantic. It is the only “umbrella” conference structure in the United States.

Hood, which sponsors 20 sports, has been a member of the Capital Athletic Conference since December 2005 and will compete in that conference for the 2011-12 academic year.

Stevenson, also a current member of the CAC, sponsors 22 sports, 11 men’s and 11 women’s. All but men’s volleyball will compete in the MAC Commonwealth Conference. Football and women’s golf are already associate members of the MAC.

“The presidential leadership, sport sponsorship, athletic facilities, competitive prowess and academic reputation at both schools mesh well with our 16 current members,” said MAC Executive Director Ken Andrews. “Most importantly, we share similar values about the role of intercollegiate athletics as a component of the educational experience for our students. I look forward to working with their athletic staff and administration as they make the full transition to our conferences over the next year.”

The MAC sponsors 23 conference sports that include student-athletes from Albright College, Alvernia University, Arcadia University, Delaware Valley College, DeSales University, Eastern University, Elizabethtown College, Fairleigh Dickinson University-The College at Florham, King’s College, Lebanon Valley College, Lycoming College, Manhattanville College, Messiah College, Misericordia University, Widener University and Wilkes University.