MOVING TO DIVISION 1

Bryant Accepts Invitation to Join D1 Northeast Conference

SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- Bryant University announced that it has received and accepted an invitation to join the Northeast Conference (NEC), an 11-member Division I conference that sponsors championships in 21 sports for men and women. The announcement was made today by Northeast Conference Commissioner Brenda Weare following a vote from the NEC Council of Presidents.

"Bryant is an outstanding university that has demonstrated excellence both academically and competitively," said NEC commissioner Brenda Weare. "They are an excellent fit for the NEC, and we look forward to them joining us in the fall of 2012."

"I think this is great for the Northeast Conference," said Vice Admiral Paul Gaffney, President of Monmouth University and Chair of the NEC Membership Committee. "We were extremely impressed with the commitment of their President, trustees, and athletic department staff."

Having already filed with the NCAA, Bryant is currently in its first year of a five-year transition period for full Division I membership.

The NCAA Division I Board of Directors earlier this summer had issued a moratorium for four years on schools applying to transition to Division I. Bryant had filed its paperwork before June 1 with the NCAA.

With the invitation into the Northeast Conference, Bryant will become the fourth Division I institution in the state of Rhode Island, joining Brown University, Providence College and the University of Rhode Island.

Bryant will continue its transition to Division I with full membership effective September 2012. Bryant is expected to begin playing a Division I schedule in 2008-09.

"The movement to Division I athletic competition is consistent with our strategic plan to continually enhance Bryant University's reputation as a superb educational institution," said Bryant University President Ronald K. Machtley.

"Membership in the prestigious Northeast Conference will raise our academic and athletic profiles, providing our student-athletes the opportunity to compete at the highest level," added Director of Athletics Bill Smith.

Reclassification Timeline
1. 2007-2008 Exploratory Year – Remain Eligible for D-II Championships
2. 2008-2009 First Year of Reclassification
3. 2009-2010 Second Year of Reclassification
4. 2010-2011 Third Year of Reclassification
5. 2011-2012 Fourth Year of Reclassification
6. 2012-2013 Eligible for NCAA Division I Championships

The Northeast Conference currently consists of 11 institutions: Central Connecticut State University (New Britain, Conn.), Fairleigh Dickinson University (Hackensack, N.J.), Long Island University (Brooklyn, N.Y.), Monmouth University (West Long Branch, N.J.), Mount St. Mary's University (Emmitsburg, M.D.), Quinnipiac University (Hamden, Conn.), Robert Morris University (Moon Township, Pa.), Sacred Heart University (Fairfield, Conn.), Saint Francis College (Brooklyn, N.Y.), Saint Francis University (Loretto, Pa.), and Wagner College (Staten Island, N.Y.).

The University of Albany (Albany, N.Y.) and Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, Pa.) are associate members of the Northeast Conference in football only.