The North Atlantic Conference, an NCAA Division III athletic conference, is pleased to announce the addition of two new full member institutions, Green Mountain College and Lyndon State College. At their recent meeting, the NAC Presidents' Council and Council of Athletic Directors expressed their approval to grant membership by voting unanimously to accept the two Vermont institutions into the Conference.

"Following my site visits and the institutional presentations, it was apparent that the philosophies and commitment to the student-athletes on each campus were in line with our current membership and all will benefit by this future affiliation." NAC Commissioner Julie Muller stated.

Both schools currently sponsor 10 sports which will compete in NAC championships; men's and women's basketball, men's and women?s cross country, men's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, men's tennis, softball and volleyball. Additionally, Lyndon State sponsors baseball and women's tennis while Green Mountain will compete in golf.

"I am delighted that the NAC has added both Green Mountain and Lyndon State to our league for the 2008-09 season and beyond," said Castleton President and current NAC Presidents Council Chair Dave Wolk.  "Our conference continues to grow and flourish, adhering to the non-scholarship focus on student-athletes embraced by Division III NCAA colleges."

Green Mountain will complete its final provisional year in June and will be full NCAA Division III members beginning fall of 2007.  "President Brennan and Athletic Director Jamey Ventura have done outstanding work refocusing the mission and offerings of Green Mountain and we have every confidence this commitment will continue," said Muller.

Lyndon State College has just completed its first year of provisional status for Division III and will be applying for an NCAA waiver that would shorten the four year process to two.  If the waiver is approved, Lyndon will achieve NCAA Division III status in 2008. Until Division III status is granted, Lyndon will be eligible for NAC championships but will not have the option of representing the conference in NCAA national championship play. 

"Lyndon State brings to the NAC a commitment to continuing the process through the provisional status, good athletic facilities and an institutional focus on providing strong and equitable opportunities for their student-athletes," said Muller. "Athletic Director Chris Ummer, with the full support of President Moore, is working diligently to enhance the athletic offerings of the school and I trust their participation in the conference will be positive for all involved." 

The membership process began in May of 2006 when the Conference Council of Presidents voted to lift the moratorium on membership for the NAC. Membership consideration began, culminating in formal presentations by both schools during the Conference annual meetings last week in York Harbor, Maine. 

Founded in the fall of 1999, the North Atlantic Conference is comprised of 11 NCAA Division-III institutions across New England.  They are Bay Path College, Becker College, Castleton State College, Elms College, Husson College, Johnson State College, Lesley University, Maine Maritime Academy, the University of Maine-Farmington, Thomas College and Wheelock College.