OWINGS MILLS, Md. - Stevenson Director of Athletics Brett Adams announced on Friday that the university's newly-formed football team, which will take the field for the first time next Thursday, August 12 at 2:00p.m., has accepted an offer from the Middle Atlantic Conference to join as an associate member beginning with the school's inaugural season in 2011.
Founded in 1912, the Middle Atlantic Conferences, commonly known as the MAC, is an umbrella organization of three conferences – Commonwealth, Freedom, and Middle Atlantic. The 23 conference sports are nationally competitive in NCAA Division III.
"We've known that the MAC is one of the premier academic and athletic conferences in the country," said Adams. "The reputation of the schools and our opportunity to be associated with the reputation of the schools and the athletic departments is a great fit for our school. I have a long history with a number of athletic directors and coaches in the MAC and have always had positive experiences. We can't think of a better fit."
It has been an exciting as fast-moving first year for the new football program at Stevenson. After officially announcing the addition of football in June 2009, the school hired its first football coach in November, hired an offensive and defensive coordinator in the spring along with a staff of six assistants and volunteers, developed plans on a new stadium on the Owings Mills campus for completion in fall 2011 and joined a conference.
“It is hard to describe the excitement and anticipation that football is bringing to Stevenson’s students, alumni, parents and staff," said Kevin J. Manning, Ph.D., President of Stevenson University. "We are very proud to be invited to join the MAC and we are all counting down to that first Saturday in 2011 when we kick off our first season.”
With the addition of Stevenson, the MAC will have nine institutions that sponsor football, including Albright, Delaware Valley, Fairleigh Dickinson, King’s, Lebanon Valley, Lycoming, Widener and Wilkes.
"I think anytime that you can join a league with the established history that the MAC has is an honor in many ways," said Stevenson head coach Ed Hottle. "The history of those programs is significant. The success that they've had putting four teams in the postseason
this past fall is very, very significant to the history and quality of play within the league. I don't know how many other leagues nationwide had an opportunity to put three teams into the postseason in one year."
Stevenson also considered other high-profile football conferences, including the Old Dominion Athletic Conference who is a co-host of the NCAA Division III national championship game, the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl.
While Stevenson's inaugural 2011 schedule has yet to be released, Hottle commented that even in their first year, the Mustangs look forward to building a winning tradition and competing for championships.
"Its our mission at Stevenson that we seek out some of the better teams in the country because that's where we want to be and the MAC is a big step towards that."
What Others Are Saying
Jim Clements, Head Football Coach, Delaware Valley College:
"We are very pleased and excited to have Stevenson join the MAC for the 2011 season and beyond. Stevenson is a fine institution with a great commitment to both academics and athletics. Adding Stevenson will not only strengthen our conference as one of the best Division III conferences in the country, but improve our recruiting efforts in Northern Virginia, Maryland and the DC area. Stevenson has the location and facilities that will help Ed Hottle and his staff compete right away in the MAC."
Steve MacDonald, Lebanon Valley College President, Chair of the MAC presidents:
"On behalf of the member institutions of the Middle Atlantic Conference, I am pleased to welcome Stevenson University into the MAC as an affiliate member in the sport of football beginning in the fall of 2011. Stevenson is a dynamic academic institution which we know
will offer a competitive and exciting football program. We’re looking forward to some great games with Stevenson."
Ken Andrews, MAC Executive Director:
"The MAC presidents, football coaches and directors of athletics are unanimous in their support of Stevenson University joining us in football. Our schools recognize the dramatic growth of their institution and welcome the challenge their new football team will pose to our established programs. Most importantly, we share similar values about the role of intercollegiate athletics as a component of the educational experience for our students. We look forward to the 2011 season when Stevenson will play their first MAC game!"