|
| Keuka athletics photo |
Keuka announced on Wednesday that it has accepted an invitation by the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference to be its newest full-time member institution.
The school currently competes in the Empire 8 and will make its full transition to the AMCC starting with the 2027-28 academic year.
"The decision to join the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference reflects our commitment to providing the best possible experience for our student-athletes," said Keuka president Amy Storey. "The AMCC's strong alignment with our values – including academic excellence, a strong sense of community, and student success – makes this an exciting next step for Keuka College. We're confident this move will create new opportunities for our students to thrive both in the classroom and in competition."
College leaders added that the conference, which includes non-football schools with similar resources to Keuka, will be a good fit for the Wolves. The Empire 8 currently has 12 full members and recently added three state schools which are members of the SUNY system.
"The Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference is proud to welcome Keuka College as a full member beginning in the 2027–28 academic year," stated AMCC commissioner Jeromy Yetter. "Keuka's demonstrated commitment to academic excellence, student-athlete success, and institutional integrity aligns seamlessly with the core values of the AMCC. Their addition further strengthens our conference by enhancing the overall competitive landscape and deepening our shared commitment to providing a high-quality Division III experience. Under the leadership of president Amy Storey and director of athletics Jon Accardi, Keuka College is well-positioned to make an immediate and meaningful impact within our conference, and we look forward to the continued growth and success of the AMCC membership."
The addition of Keuka will give the AMCC nine full-time members in 2027-28, as the AMCC continues its efforts to provide the best student-athlete experience and strengthen the conference in an ever-changing landscape in higher education and college athletics. The Wolves will join Carlow, Hilbert, La Roche, Mount Aloysius, Penn State-Altoona, Penn State-Behrend, Pitt-Bradford, and Pitt-Greensburg.
Keuka sponsors 16 sports, many aligning with the sport offerings of the AMCC. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, Esports, golf, lacrosse, and soccer. Women's sports are basketball, cheerleading, cross country, Esports, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, softball, soccer, and volleyball.
"On behalf of Keuka College athletics, I would like to thank Commissioner Yetter, the Presidents Council, and the AMCC athletic directors for welcoming us," said associate vice president and athletic director Jon Accardi. "The conference's commitment to a positive and well-rounded student-athlete experience aligns closely with our priorities at Keuka, and we're excited to join the membership as part of the AMCC's continued momentum. We're looking forward to building new rivalries and creating meaningful championship opportunities for our student-athletes that reflect the direction and continued growth of Keuka College athletics."
The announcement comes on the heels of the men's basketball team capturing the Empire 8 title and competing for the first time in the Division III men's basketball NCAA Tournament.
"We are delighted to welcome Keuka College to the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference. Keuka's commitment to putting students first, both in the classroom and in competition, reflects the very best of the Division III experience. Their thoughtful leadership, strong campus culture, and emphasis on holistic student development align seamlessly with the values of our conference. We are confident Keuka will enrich the AMCC and enhance opportunities for all of our student-athletes," said Christina Clark, Ph.D., president of La Roche and chair of the AMCC Presidents Council.