Golden Eagles Will Play Full Conference Schedule Starting in 2014
The College at Brockport State University of New York will join Empire 8 football starting in 2014 as an affiliate member. The Golden Eagles will join Alfred University, affiliates Buffalo State College and Frostburg State University, Hartwick College, Ithaca College, affiliate Salisbury University, St. John Fisher College, and Utica College.
“I am very pleased that The College at Brockport has been approved for football membership in the Empire 8,” said Daan Braveman, President of the Empire 8 and of Nazareth College. “Brockport brings great academic and athletic traditions, and we are looking forward to their participation.” Empire 8 Commissioner Chuck Mitrano added, “We are thrilled to welcome The College at Brockport to the Empire 8 family. This addition provides our football playing institutions the opportunity to renew and enhance long-standing traditions with Brockport and greatly enhance the quality experience of our student-athletes. This will also further engage alumni and the campus community at all member institutions.”
Founded in 1835, The College at Brockport is a public, comprehensive master’s institution. Brockport offers 49 undergraduate majors, 47 master’s degree programs, and teacher certification in 24 areas. Each year, The College at Brockport awards approximately 25% of all bachelor degrees in the Rochester area.
“Golden Eagles football is entering a new era and The College at Brockport couldn’t be more excited,” said Brockport President John Halstead. “Brockport is a natural fit in the Empire 8 with several natural rivalries. Like our peers in the conference, we are committed to pursuing both academic and athletic excellence. We look forward to our student-athletes entering competition in this outstanding conference and our area alumni cheering them on.”
“Both conferences are competitive and offer positive attributes. The Empire 8 conference allows us to provide a better experience for our student-athletes,” said Director of Athletics Erick Hart. “This new affiliation will significantly reduce travel time, minimize missed class time and from a financial standpoint this transition allows us to do more for our student-athletes because of the savings in travel costs.”
“It is exciting to have the opportunity to renew some of the traditional regional rivalries that we have had over the years,” said Head Football Coach Rocco Salomone. “The Empire 8 is a very competitive conference which regularly receives an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The teams in the Empire 8 will offer a challenge each and every week of the season. I am also excited for our alumni and local fans as they will have the opportunity to see us play more often each season.”
In 10 seasons, the Empire 8 has recorded 25 postseason victories with conference champion Salisbury and at-large selection St. John Fisher each advancing to the national quarterfinals this past season. Empire 8 teams finished 22-8 in non-conference play in 2011 and posted a 105-37 mark against non-conference Division III opponents over the past five years for a .739 winning percentage.
Empire 8 consists of Alfred University (NY), Elmira College (NY), Hartwick College (NY), Houghton College (NY), Ithaca College (NY), Nazareth College (NY), St. John Fisher College (NY), Stevens Institute of Technology (NJ), and Utica College (NY).
