SELINSGROVE , PA - The presidents of eight colleges and universities have announced the formation of a new NCAA Division III athletics conference. The members of the new conference will compete in all sports other than football. The conference, yet to be named, will begin competition in the fall of 2007.

The institutions are Catholic University, Washington, D.C.; Drew University, Madison, N.J.; Goucher College, Baltimore, Md.; Juniata College, Huntingdon, Pa.; Moravian College, Bethlehem, Pa.; Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, N.J.; Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pa.; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, N.Y.

In a joint statement, presidents of the above institutions outlined the purpose and character of the new conference: “In forming an affiliation with this new conference, we have affirmed a shared focus on institutional excellence that emphasizes our academic mission and a belief that athletics competition is an important component of the undergraduate experience.”

“Susquehanna University is pleased to align with a group of institutions that share a common vision of quality undergraduate education combined with a commitment to a positive experience for student-athletes,” said president Dr. L. Jay Lemons. “We are looking forward to a strong collaborative relationship with our new conference colleagues both athletically and academically.”

“We are excited about this new association, as it will provide our student-athletes with the opportunity to compete against student-athletes that have similar academic pressures and still achieve at the highest level possible on the playing field,” said Susquehanna director of athletics Dr. Pam Samuelson.

In addition to athletics competition, members of the new conference will explore ways to develop and expand curricular and co-curricular relationships among their institutions.

Presidents of the eight member institutions indicated that work had begun on a full range of organizational activities related to the formation of a new conference, including the articulation of conference philo sophy, drafting and adoption of governing by-laws, petition for NCAA recognition, staffing and organization of conference offices, and establishment of operating and financial procedures.

Teams from the eight colleges and universities will continue to participate in their current conferences through spring 2007.

In October, Susquehanna announced that its football program will compete in the Liberty League beginning with the 2007 season. ("Susquehanna Football to Join Liberty League in 2007")