The North Atlantic Conference announced the addition of Anna Maria College (Paxton, Massachusetts) as an associate member in football. The Conference will add football as a conference sport beginning in fall 2009. 

The AMcats will be eligible for awards and compete against NAC football institutions beginning with their inaugural season in 2009 but will not have a full conference schedule until 2010.

Anna Maria joins full conference members Husson College (Bangor, Maine) and Castleton State College (Castleton, Vermont) along with five associate members: Becker College (Leicester, Mass.), Gallaudet University (Washington, D.C.), Maritime College State University of New York (Throggs Neck, N.Y.), Mount Ida College (Newton, Mass.), and Norwich University (Northfield, Vt.).

“We are pleased to welcome Anna Maria to the NAC and look forward to their participation,” said commissioner Julie Muller. “Our current football members have newer programs and Anna Maria’s participation during their inaugural season will be a good fit for the conference. The extensive plans the school has for facility development and their commitment to creating a quality football program were the major factors for membership acceptance.”

Anna Maria College recently announced the addition of new sport programs in addition to facility upgrades including an expanded and renovated indoor fitness facility with state-of-the art fitness equipment along the development of a new outdoor multi-purpose synthetic turf field.

“Joining the North Atlantic Conference in football is exciting for the entire Anna Maria College community,” says David Shea, Athletic Director for AMC. “The expansion of our varsity sports program to include football opens up tremendous opportunities for our current and future students. Being a part of the North Atlantic Conference will allow us to expand our recruiting from both a geographic and demographic perspective as we continue to seek out both exceptional students and accomplished athletes.”

The conference will not be eligible for an automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Football Championship even with eight playing members since it does not meet the NCAA requirement for four core members.