State University of New York Athletic Conference

Last updated
State University of New York Athletic Conference
Sunyac conference logo.png
FormerlyNew York State Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Association NCAA
Founded1958
CommissionerTom Di Camillo (since 2014)
Sports fielded
  • 22
    • men's: 10
    • women's: 12
Division Division III
No. of teams10 full (12 full in 2026), 6 affiliates
Headquarters Syracuse, New York
Region New York
Official website sunyacsports.com
Locations
SL-USA-states.png

The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) is an intercollegiate athletic conference that competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III, consisting of schools in the State University of New York system. It was chartered in 1958 as the New York State Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Contents

History

State University of New York Athletic Conference
State University of New York Athletic Conference
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110km
68miles
Blue pog.svg
Morrisville
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Alfred State
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Cobleskill
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Delhi
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New Paltz
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Plattsburgh
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Oneonta
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Potsdam
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Cortland
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Oswego
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Fredonia
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Buffalo State
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Canton
Locations of SUNYAC members:
Blue pog.svg Full
Red pog.svg Departing
Green pog.svg Future

Recent changes

On May 12, 2023, the SUNYAC announced that the conference absorbed the Northeast Women's Hockey League (NEWHL; a women's ice hockey-only league) and started to sponsor the sport. 5 full members of the SUNYAC were members of the NEWHL, therefore SUNY Canton and SUNY Morrisville became affiliate members of SUNYAC in that sport in the 2023–24 season. [1]

On August 21, 2023, SUNY Brockport and SUNY Geneseo both announced that they would become full members of the Empire 8 starting in the 2024-25 season. [2]

On October 5, 2023, the SUNYAC announced that started to sponsor men's wrestling effective immediately during the 2023-24 academic year, absorbing the remnants of the Empire Collegiate Wrestling Conference (ECWC), which 4 full members of the SUNYAC sponsor the sport. Also the SUNYAC welcomed Ithaca, RIT, St. Johns Fisher and Utica as affiliate members in that sport. Also in the same date, the SUNYAC announced that SUNY Canton and SUNY Morrisville will join the conference as full members starting in 2024-25. [3]

On April 3, 2024, SUNY New Paltz announced that they would leave the SUNYAC after the conclusion of the 2025-26 season to join the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC). [4]

On June 5, 2025, Alfred State College, SUNY Cobleskill, and SUNY Delhi will join the conference starting in 2026-27. [5]

Chronological timeline

Member schools

Current members

The SUNYAC currently has ten full members, all are public schools:

InstitutionLocation [a] FoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoined [b] Colors
State University of New York Buffalo State University
(Buffalo State)
Buffalo 1871Public [c] 8,339 Bengals 1958   
State University of New York at Canton
(SUNY Canton)
Canton 1906Public [c] 3,122 Roos 2024 [d]    
State University of New York at Cortland
(SUNY Cortland)
Cortland 1868Public [c] 6,832 Red Dragons 1958   
State University of New York at Fredonia
(SUNY Fredonia)
Fredonia 1826Public [c] 3,780 Blue Devils 1959     
State University of New York at Morrisville
(SUNY Morrisville)
Morrisville 1908Public [c] 2,486 Mustangs 2007;
2024 [e]
   
State University of New York at New Paltz
(SUNY New Paltz)
New Paltz 1828Public [c] 7,489 Hawks 1958     
State University of New York at Oneonta
(SUNY Oneonta)
Oneonta 1889Public [c] 6,733 Red Dragons 1958   
State University of New York at Oswego
(SUNY Oswego)
Oswego 1861Public [c] 7,636 Lakers 1958   
State University of New York at Plattsburgh
(SUNY Plattsburgh)
Plattsburgh 1889Public [c] 5,257 Cardinals 1958   
State University of New York at Potsdam
(SUNY Potsdam)
Potsdam 1816Public [c] 3,098 Bears 1958   
Notes
  1. All cities are located within the State of New York.
  2. Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Part of the State University of New York System.
  4. Affiliate member of the SUNYAC for women's ice hockey since 2023.
  5. Full member of the SUNYAC from 2007–08 to 2008–09; affiliate member for field hockey and men's ice hockey since 2009 and women's ice hockey since 2023

Future full members

InstitutionLocation [a] FoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoining [b] ColorsPrevious
conference
Alfred State College Alfred 1908Public [c] 3,500 Pioneers 2026 [d]     Allegheny Mountain (AMCC)
State University of New York at Cobleskill
(SUNY Cobleskill)
Cobleskill 1911Public [c] 2,087 Fighting Tigers 2026 [e]    North Atlantic (NAC)
State University of New York at Delhi
(SUNY Delhi)
Delhi 1913Public [c] 3,088 Broncos 2026 [f]       North Atlantic (NAC)
Notes
  1. All cities are located within the State of New York.
  2. Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
  3. 1 2 3 Part of the State University of New York System.
  4. Alfred State currently competes as an associate member of the SUNYAC for men's and women's indoor and outdoor track & field since the 2024–25 school year, before gaining full membership in 2026–27.
  5. SUNY Cobleskill currently competes as an associate member of the SUNYAC for men's and women's indoor and outdoor track & field since the 2024–25 school year, and in men's and women's cross country since 2025–26, before gaining full membership in 2026–27.
  6. SUNY Delhi currently competes as an associate member of the SUNYAC for men's and women's indoor track & field since the 2024–25 school year, and in men's and women's cross country since 2025–26, before gaining full membership in 2026–27.

Affiliate members

The SUNYAC currently has 17 affiliate members, half of them are private schools:

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoined [a] SUNYAC
sport(s)
Primary
conference
Alfred State College Alfred, New York 1908 Public [b] 3,500 Pioneers 2024Men's indoor track & field Allegheny Mountain (AMCC)
2024Men's outdoor track & field
2024Women's indoor track & field
2024Women's outdoor track & field
Elmira College Elmira, New York 1855Nonsectarian768 Soaring Eagles 2025Men's wrestling Empire 8 (E8)
Hilbert College Hamburg, New York 1957 Catholic
(Franciscan)
1,100 Hawks 2024Men's indoor track & field Allegheny Mountain (AMCC)
2024Men's outdoor track & field
2024Women's indoor track & field
2024Women's outdoor track & field
Hobart College Geneva, New York 1822Nonsectarian2,337 Statesmen 2025Men's ice hockey [6] Liberty (LL)
Ithaca College Ithaca, New York 1892Nonsectarian6,769 Bombers 2023Men's wrestling Liberty (LL)
Penn State Altoona Logan Township, Pennsylvania 1939 Public [c] 3,800 Lions 2025Men's swimming & diving Allegheny Mountain (AMCC)
2025Women's swimming & diving
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College Erie, Pennsylvania 1948Public [c] 4,700 Lions 2024Men's indoor track & field Allegheny Mountain (AMCC)
2024Men's outdoor track & field
2024Women's indoor track & field
2024Women's outdoor track & field
2025Men's swimming & diving
2025Women's swimming & diving
University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Bradford, Pennsylvania 1963 Public [c] 1,502 Panthers 2025Men's swimming & diving Allegheny Mountain (AMCC)
2025Women's swimming & diving
Rochester Institute of Technology
(RIT)
Henrietta, New York 1829Nonsectarian18,000 Tigers 2023Men's wrestling Liberty (LL)
St. John Fisher University Rochester, New York 1948Nonsectarian3,610 Cardinals 2023Men's wrestling Empire 8 (E8)
Salisbury University Salisbury, Maryland 1925Public8,657 Sea Gulls 2025Field hockey Coast to Coast (C2C)
Skidmore College Saratoga Springs, New York 1903Nonsectarian2,500 Thoroughbreds 2025Men's ice hockey [6] Liberty (LL)
State University of New York at Brockport
(SUNY Brockport) [d]
Brockport, New York 1867Public [b] 7,924 Golden Eagles 2024Men's wrestling Empire 8 (E8)
State University of New York at Cobleskill
(SUNY Cobleskill)
Cobleskill, New York 1911Public [b] 2,087 Fighting Tigers 2024Men's indoor track & field North Atlantic (NAC)
2024Men's outdoor track & field
2024Women's indoor track & field
2024Women's outdoor track & field
2025Men's cross country
2025Women's cross country
State University of New York at Delhi
(SUNY Delhi)
Delhi, New York 1913Public [b] 3,088 Broncos 2024Men's indoor track & field North Atlantic (NAC)
2024Women's indoor track & field
2025Men's cross country
2025Women's cross country
Utica University Utica, New York 1946Nonsectarian4,614 Pioneers 2023Men's wrestling Empire 8 (E8)
William Smith College Geneva, New York 1908Nonsectarian2,229 Herons 2025Women's ice hockey [6] Liberty (LL)
Notes
  1. Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Part of the State University of New York System.
  3. 1 2 3 Part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE).
  4. SUNY Brockport was a full member of the SUNYAC from 1958–59 to 2023–24.

Former members

The SUNYAC had six former full members, all were public schools:

InstitutionLocation [a] FoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoined [b] Left [c] Current
conference
University at Albany [d]
(SUNY Albany)
Albany 1844Public [e] 17,500 Great Danes 19581995 America East (AmEast) [f]
Binghamton University [g]
(SUNY Binghamton)
Vestal 1946Public [e] 14,713 Bearcats 19731997 America East (AmEast) [f]
University at Buffalo [h]
(SUNY Buffalo)
Buffalo 1846Public [e] 28,601 Bulls 19781988 Mid-American (MAC) [f]
State University of New York at Brockport [i]
(SUNY Brockport)
Brockport 1867Public [e] 7,924 Golden Eagles 19582024 Empire 8 (E8)
State University of New York at Geneseo
(SUNY Geneseo)
Geneseo 1871Public [e] 4,910 Knights 19592024 Empire 8 (E8)
State University of New York Institute of Technology
(SUNY Poly)
Marcy 1966Public [e] 2,870 Wildcats 19912008 Empire 8 (E8)
Notes
  1. All cities are located within the State of New York.
  2. Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
  3. Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition ends.
  4. Also known as the State University of New York at Albany.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Part of the State University of New York System.
  6. 1 2 3 Currently an NCAA Division I athletic conference.
  7. Also known as the State University of New York at Binghamton.
  8. Also known as the State University of New York at Buffalo.
  9. SUNY Brockport remains in the SUNYAC as an affiliate member for men's wrestling.

Membership timeline

Hobart and William Smith CollegesSkidmore CollegeSalisbury UniversityUniversity of Pittsburgh at BradfordPenn State AltoonaHobart and William Smith CollegesElmira CollegePenn State Erie, The Behrend CollegeHilbert CollegeState University of New York at DelhiState University of New York at CobleskillAlfred State CollegeUtica UniversitySt. John Fisher UniversityRochester Institute of TechnologyIthaca CollegeState University of New York at CantonState University of New York at MorrisvilleEmpire 8North Atlantic ConferenceUnited East ConferenceState University of New York Institute of TechnologyMid-American ConferenceSummit LeagueEast Coast Conference (Division I)NCAA Division I independent schoolsUniversity at Buffalo, The State University of New YorkAmerica East ConferenceNCAA Division I independent schoolsNew England Collegiate Conference (Division II)NCAA Division II independent schoolsBinghamton UniversityState University of New York at FredoniaEmpire 8State University of New York at GeneseoState University of New York at PotsdamState University of New York at PlattsburghState University of New York at OswegoState University of New York at OneontaNew Jersey Athletic ConferenceState University of New York at New PaltzState University of New York at CortlandBuffalo State UniversityEmpire 8SUNY BrockportAmerica East ConferenceNCAA Division I independent schoolsNew England Collegiate Conference (Division II)University at Albany, SUNYState University of New York Athletic Conference

 Full member (all sports)  Full member (non-football)  Associate member (football)  Associate member (sport) 

Conference facilities

InstitutionBasketball ArenaCapacityFootball StadiumCapacityIce Hockey ArenaCapacity
Buffalo State Buffalo State Sports Arena 3,500Coyer Field3,000Buffalo State Ice Arena1,800
CortlandWhitney T. Corey Gymnasium3,500SUNY Cortland Stadium Complex6,500 Alumni Arena 2,500
FredoniaSteele Hall Fieldhouse3,300Non-Football SchoolN/ASteele Hall Ice Arena1,100
New PaltzHawk Center1,800Non-Football SchoolN/ANon-Ice Hockey SchoolN/A
OneontaDewar Arena4,000Non-Football SchoolN/ANon-Ice Hockey SchoolN/A
OswegoMax Ziel Gymnasium3,500Non-Football SchoolN/A Campus Center Ice Arena 2,500
PlattsburghMemorial Hall1,000Non-Football SchoolN/A Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena 1,924
PotsdamJerry Welsh Gymnasium3,600Non-Football SchoolN/AMaxcy Ice Arena2,500

Sports

The SUNYAC sponsors intercollegiate athletic competition in the following sports:

Conference sports
SportMen'sWomen's
Baseball
Green check.svgY
Basketball
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Cross Country
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Field Hockey
Green check.svgY
Ice Hockey
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Lacrosse
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Soccer
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Softball
Green check.svgY
Swimming & Diving
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Tennis
Green check.svgY
Track & Field (Indoor)
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Track & Field (Outdoor)
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Volleyball
Green check.svgY
Wrestling
Green check.svgY

Men's sponsored sports by school

SchoolBaseballBasketballCross CountryIce HockeyLacrosseSoccerSwimming & DivingTrack & Field
(Indoor)
Track & Field
(Outdoor)
WrestlingTotal SUNYAC Sports
Buffalo StateRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svg6
CantonGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgRed x.svg6
CortlandGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg10
FredoniaGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svg8
MorrisvilleRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svg7
New PaltzGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg [a] Red x.svgRed x.svgRed x.svg6
OneontaGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg9
OswegoGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg10
PlattsburghGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svg8
PotsdamRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svg8
Totals710108+2 [b] 8106+4 [c] 8+4 [d] 8+3 [e] 3+2 [f] 79+15
  1. Swimming only
  2. Affiliate members Hobart and Skidmore
  3. Affiliate Members Alfred State, Penn State Altoona, Penn State Behrend and Pittsburgh–Bradford
  4. Affiliate members Alfred State, Hilbert, SUNY Cobleskill and SUNY Delhi.
  5. Affiliate members Alfred State, Hilbert and SUNY Cobleskill.
  6. Affiliate members Ithaca and RIT

Men's varsity sports not sponsored by the SUNYAC

SchoolEquestrianFootballGolfTennisVolleyball
Buffalo StateNo Liberty League NoNo AMCC
CantonNoNo Empire 8 NoNo
CortlandNo Empire 8 NoNoNo
Morrisville IHSA [a] Empire 8 NoNoNo
New PaltzNoNoNoNo UVC
OneontaNoNoNo WIAC No
OswegoNoNo Empire 8 Empire 8 No
PotsdamNoNoNoNo NEVC

Women's sponsored sports by school

SchoolBasketballCross CountryField HockeyIce HockeyLacrosseSoccerSoftballSwimming & DivingTennisTrack & Field
(Indoor)
Track & Field
(Outdoor)
VolleyballTotal SUNYAC Sports
Buffalo StateGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg9
CantonGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svg7
CortlandGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg12
FredoniaGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg10
MorrisvilleGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg10
New PaltzGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg [b] Green check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svg9
OneontaGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg11
OswegoGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg12
PlattsburghGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg10
PotsdamGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg10
Totals101057+1 [c] 1010106+4 [d] 68+4 [e] 8+3 [f] 10100+12
  1. Co-Ed
  2. Swimming only
  3. Affiliate member William Smith
  4. Affiliate Members Alfred State, Penn State Altoona, Penn State Behrend and Pittsburgh–Bradford
  5. Affiliate members Alfred State, Hilbert, SUNY Cobleskill and SUNY Delhi.
  6. Affiliate members Alfred State, Hilbert and SUNY Cobleskill.

Women's varsity sports not sponsored by the SUNYAC

SchoolAcrobatics & TumblingEquestrianGolfGymnasticsWrestling
Buffalo StateYesNoNoNo IND
CantonNoNo NWGC NoNo
CortlandNoNo NWGC NCGA No
MorrisvilleNo IHSA [a] NoNoNo

See also

Notes

  1. Co-Ed

References

  1. "SUNYAC adds women's ice hockey, admits Canton in men's ice hockey". 12 May 2023.
  2. "SUNY Brockport and SUNY Geneseo to Join Empire 8; 2024-25 Start Date Anticipated". empire8.com. 2022-02-14. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
  3. "SUNYAC Adds 2 Full-Time Members, 5 Associates & Men's Wrestling". 5 October 2023.
  4. "SUNY New Paltz Initiating Two-Year Process to Seek a New Athletic Conference". nphawks.com. 2024-04-03. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
  5. "SUNYAC adds full members Alfred State, SUNY Cobleskill & SUNY Delhi; 4 associates". sunyacsports.com. 2025-06-05. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
  6. 1 2 3 "SUNYAC adds Hobart, Skidmore to men's hockey conference, William Smith to women's hockey conference". USCHO. April 10, 2024. Retrieved June 9, 2024.