SYRACUSE, NY – The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) will add Hilbert College and SUNY Delhi in the sports of men's and women's indoor and outdoor track & field beginning next year, while SUNY Delhi will join the conference in men's and women's cross country in the fall of 2025.
The announcement was made on Friday, April 12, by Commissioner Tom DiCamillo following a recommendation by the SUNYAC Board of Directors (Athletic Directors) and approval by the SUNYAC Presidents Council.
This marks the third round of expansion for the SUNYAC since October and increases the conference associate membership to 10 institutions participating in 21 conference sports beginning in 2025-26. The SUNYAC has 10 full members.
The addition of Hilbert and SUNY Delhi will increase the number programs competing at the SUNYAC Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field Championships to 11 women's teams and 10 men's squads. When SUNY Delhi joins the conference for cross country in 2025, 11 men's and women's programs will race for individual awards as well as team titles.
"We are thrilled to welcome Hilbert and SUNY Delhi as associate members of the SUNYAC," Alberto Cardelle, the president of SUNY Oneonta and chair of the SUNYAC Presidents Council, said. "These new members increase the competition field in cross country, and indoor and outdoor track & field, which enhances the SUNYAC Championship experience for all participating student-athletes."
Buffalo State, Cortland, Fredonia, Oneonta, Oswego, Plattsburgh and Potsdam are the seven full-member institutions that sponsor both men's and women's track & field programs, while Morrisville sponsors indoor and outdoor track & field for women. Alfred State was admitted as an associate member of the SUNYAC for both men's and women's indoor and outdoor track & field in October. All 10 full-member institutions sponsor cross country making Delhi the 11th program in the conference.
"The growth of the SUNYAC continues to expand opportunities for our student-athletes to participate in high-level competition," Commissioner Tom DiCamillo said. "Welcoming SUNY Delhi and Hilbert strengthens and increases the competitive fields that comprise the indoor and outdoor track & field championships, as well as the cross country title races."
Bob Backus, director of athletics at SUNY Delhi, has a long history with the sports and is excited about the opportunity to participate in the SUNYAC.
"As director of athletics and a former cross country and track head coach of the Broncos, I want to sincerely thank the SUNYAC for accepting our application to join the conference," Backus said. "This marks the next chapter of our institution's athletics history and our journey as an NCAA Division III program. It is truly an exciting opportunity for our student-athletes moving forward. It's a great day for the Broncos!"
Dr. Mary Bonderoff, SUNY Delhi's acting president, echoed Backus' feelings about joining the SUNYAC.
"SUNY Delhi is grateful for the opportunity for our indoor and outdoor track & field teams, and our cross country teams, to join the SUNYAC," she said. "This is a tremendous opportunity for our institution, and we are excited to showcase the talents of our student-athletes who participate in track & field and cross country. Thank you to our sister institutions within SUNY for welcoming us to the conference."
Head Coach Zachary Brown, a 2014 graduate of Brockport, is exhilarated about the chance to return to the conference where he competed.
"I am excited about the opportunity to join the SUNYAC for indoor and outdoor track & field and cross country. Having competed in the SUNYAC as a student-athlete myself, it is great to be part of SUNY Delhi's transition into the conference. I am confident SUNY Delhi can continue its current success and be very competitive in the SUNYAC."
Located in Hamburg, N.Y., Hilbert College also augments the championship field for the SUNYAC in both indoor and outdoor track & field.
"We are very excited to have the opportunity to join the ranks of the SUNYAC," Bob Krug, the head coach of the Hawks, said. "The conference has a long standing and impressive presence in New York and we look forward to the competition as we continue to grow our own program."
Competition against institutions in the region is an exciting opportunity for the members of the Hilbert track & field programs, according to Dr. Michael Brophy, president of the college.
"Hilbert is very much looking forward to competing in the SUNYAC for track & field. Competing against teams within this region is great for our student-athletes and their overall experience."
Athletic Director Tim Seil agrees and feels it is important to provide the best experience possible for Hilbert's programs.
"We are grateful for this new partnership with the SUNYAC for our track & field programs," Seil said. "Giving our student-athletes a quality championship experience is important, and the SUNYAC will help us provide just that."
