Men's Volleyball to Compete in UVC

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Dr. Catherine B. Hill, Vassar College President, is pleased to announce the formation of the United Volleyball Conference (UVC), a men’s volleyball conference consisting of 12 outstanding NCAA Division III athletic and academic institutions.

“On behalf of the UVC Presidents Council, we are delighted by the establishment of the United Volleyball Conference.” said Dr. Hill. “We are looking forward to the first season of UVC play.  The conference will be a wonderful addition for our student athletes.”

The UVC consists of Bard College (NY), D’Youville College (NY), Elmira College (NY), Hilbert College (NY), Medaille College (NY), Nazareth College (NY), New York University (NY), Penn State Behrend (PA), Stevens Institute of Technology (NJ), SUNY IT (NY), SUNY New Paltz (NY), and Vassar College (NY).

“I know I speak for all UVC members when I say how proud we are to be a part of this new group that will play an integral role in the transition of Division III men’s volleyball to an NCAA championship  structure,” said Russell Rogers, who is the UVC Vice-President and Director of Athletics at Stevens Institute of Technology. “The conference is going to provide an outstanding experience for its student-athletes and add excitement to student life on each of our campuses.”

The inaugural season is prepared to commence with 10 of its members in the first competitive campaign. NYU is completing its final season with the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association, while Penn State Behrend recently added the sport and its first season will be in 2011-12. The UVC has already been recognized by the NCAA as an officially sanctioned single sport conference, an important move as the Division III membership prepares to adopt men’s volleyball as an NCAA Division III Championship sport this January at the annual convention. Approval by the membership would give Division III men’s volleyball an NCAA Tournament effective 2011-12.

“The UVC features an excellent blend of outstanding academic and athletic institutions,” said Chuck Mitrano, commissioner of the UVC and of the Empire 8 Athletic Conference. “With the outstanding leadership of the Presidents, Athletic Directors, and coaches it is going to be a vibrant and exceptional conference in the service of its membership for many years to come.”