SUNYAC strengthens field hockey conference by adding associates Keuka and Saint Francis (PA); Cobleskill launches program in 2029
SYRACUSE, NY – The State University of New York Athletic Conferencen (SUNYAC) is strengthening its field hockey conference by adding three new programs over a three-year period beginning in 2027.
The SUNYAC will welcome Keuka to the conference as an associate member in the fall of 2027, while Saint Franics (PA) will join the league in the fall of 2028 after completing its transition from Division I to Division III.
In the fall of 2029, Cobleskill will launch its field hockey program to give the SUNYAC seven teams and solidify its automatic qualifier. Cobleskill becomes a full member of the SUNYAC on July 1, 2026.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, June 17, by Commissioner Tom DiCamillo following unanimous approval by the SUNYAC Presidents Council during the conference's annual meeting on June 2 in Syracuse, N.Y.
"One of the priorities of the SUNYAC is to ensure that our conference champions have access to NCAA sports that offer an automatic qualifier," Commissioner Tom DiCamillo explained. "The opportunity presented itself to add high-quality institutions to the SUNYAC in Keuka and Saint Francis, and welcome Cobleskill as a new program in 2029, that will maintain the automatic qualifier for our field hockey student-athletes. We are excited that all three institutions will be joining the SUNYAC."
Both Keuka and Saint Francis are moving to new primary conferences that do not sponsor field hockey. Keuka will leave the Empire 8 and join the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference in 2027, while Saint Francis will complete its transition from Division I to Division III in 2028 and will enter the Presidents' Athletic Conference.
"We're grateful for the opportunity to join the SUNYAC as an associate member," Jonathan Accardi, Keuka vice president and director of athletics and recreation, said. "The SUNYAC offers a strong field hockey tradition, quality competition, and a regional footprint that makes sense for Keuka College. This affiliation supports the student-athlete experience we want to provide while aligning well with the continued growth and direction of our program. We appreciate Commissioner Tom DiCamillo and the SUNYAC membership for their support and look forward to building new relationships within the conference."
Jim Brazill, director of athletics at Saint Francis, echoed Accardi's comments.
"As we transition from Division I to Division III, it was important for us to identify a conference that offers both high-quality competition and a strong commitment to the student-athlete experience. The opportunity for our field hockey program to join the SUNYAC as an associate member aligns perfectly with those values. We are appreciative of Commissioner Tom DiCamillo and the SUNYAC membership for this opportunity and look forward to building strong relationships within the conference."
On June 17, the athletic directors approved a four-year schedule for field hockey that begins in 2027 and concludes in 2030. The conference schedule will feature four games in 2027 when Keuka joins the league, while in 2028 the conference contests will increase to five with the admittance of Saint Francis (PA).
Cobleskill will bring the total number of field hockey teams in the SUNYAC to seven in 2029 when a six-game schedule will be contested. The SUNYAC will maintain its automatic qualifier and will return to its Wednesday-Saturday semifinal and championship playoff format in 2027. IN 2025 and 2026, the SUNYAC used a Friday-Saturday final four post-season tournament.
