Empire 8
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The Empire 8 (E8) is an intercollegiate athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division III. The E8 sponsors intercollegiate athletic competition in men's baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, women's field hockey, men's football, men's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, women's softball, men's and women's swimming and diving, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's track and field, and women's volleyball. The E8 shared offices with the United Volleyball Conference, a separate Division III league that competed solely in men's volleyball before disbanding after the spring 2026 season.
History
The Empire 8 can trace its beginnings back to 1964 with the founding of the Independent College Athletic Conference (ICAC). At this time, the conference was made up of Alfred University, Clarkson University, Hobart College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), St. Lawrence University, and Union College. After Union left the league, Ithaca College and Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) joined the ICAC.
In 1991, the ICAC regrouped to become the Empire Athletic Association (EAA), with Clarkson leaving and Hartwick College joining to replace the spot. Hobart/William Smith, RPI, and St. Lawrence left in 1993, to be replaced by Elmira College, Nazareth College, and Utica University. Alfred re-joined and St. John Fisher College joined the league in 1998.
The EAA became the Empire 8 Athletic Conference in 1999, hosting 13 sports.
Stevens Institute of Technology joined as a field hockey member beginning in 2006 and became a full member in 2007. RIT announced on June 5, 2009 that it planned to leave the Empire 8 for the Liberty League beginning in the fall of the 2011–12 season. Houghton College also announced that they would join the Empire 8 in the 2012–13 season as they transitioned from a school of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) to NCAA Division III status; they became full D-III members in 2016.
The most recent changes to the conference's membership were announced in the 2018–19 school year. First, Stevens announced in August 2018 that it would leave the E8 at the end of the 2018–19 school year to rejoin the Middle Atlantic Conferences after an absence of more than 40 years. Stevens joined the MAC's Freedom Conference. In January 2019, the E8 reported that Stevens would eventually be replaced by Keuka College in 2020–21, and in March, The Sage Colleges merged Russell Sage College and Sage College of Albany, effectively making the former women-only Russell Sage co-educational in fall 2020.
On July 15, 2020, the Empire 8 postponed all fall sports, but provided conference championships in those sports in spring 2021. On August 26, 2021, the E8 admitted Medaille for 2022–23, joining from the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference.
In 2023, three State University of New York schools will all join the Empire 8, beginning in the 2024–25 academic year: Starting with the State University of New York at Brockport (SUNY Brockport) and the State University of New York at Geneseo (SUNY Geneseo) on August 21; followed by the State University of New York Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) on November 20.
Chronological timeline
- 1964 – The Empire 8 was founded of the Independent College Athletic Conference (ICAC). Charter members included Alfred University, Clarkson College of Technology (now Clarkson University), Hobart College (later William Smith College followed suit when women's sports was added into the conference), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), St. Lawrence University and Union College, beginning the 1964–65 academic year.
- 1971: Union (N.Y.) left the ICAC after the 1970–71 academic year. Ithaca College and Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) joined the ICAC in the 1971–72 academic year.
- 1991: Alfred and Clarkson left the ICAC after the 1990–91 academic year. The ICAC was regrouped to become the Empire Athletic Association (EAA), beginning the 1991–92 academic year. Hartwick College joined the EAA in the 1991–92 academic year.
- 1993: Hobart & William Smith, Rensselaer Poly (RPI) and St. Lawrence left the EAA after the 1992–93 academic year. Elmira College, Nazareth College (now Nazareth University) and Utica College (now Utica University) joined the EAA in the 1993–94 academic year.
- 1998 – St. John Fisher College joined the EAA (with Alfred rejoining alongside) in the 1998–99 academic year.
- 1999 – The EAA was rebranded as the Empire 8 Athletic Conference (a.k.a. Empire 8 or E8), hosting 13 sponsored sports, beginning the 1999–2000 academic year.
- 2004 – Norwich University and Springfield College of Massachusetts joined the Empire 8 as affiliate members for football in the 2004 fall season (2004–05 academic year).
- 2006 – Stevens Institute of Technology (a.k.a. Stevens Tech or Stevens) and Washington & Jefferson College joined the Empire 8 as affiliate members for field hockey in the 2006 fall season (2006–07 academic year):
- 2007 – Stevens upgraded as a full member of the Empire 8 for all sports in the 2007–08 academic year.
- 2009: Norwich left the Empire 8 as an affiliate member for football after the 2008 fall season (2008–09 academic year). Moravian University, the University of Scranton and Susquehanna University joined the Empire 8 as affiliate members for men's golf in the 2010 spring season (2009–10 academic year).
- 2010 – Springfield left the Empire 8 as an affiliate member for football after the 2009 fall season (2009–10 academic year).
- 2011: Rochester Tech (RIT) left the Empire 8 for the Liberty League after the 2010–11 academic year. Frostburg State University and Salisbury University joined the Empire 8 as affiliate members for football in the 2011 fall season (2011–12 academic year).
- 2012: Houghton College joined the Empire 8 in the 2012–13 academic year. The State University of New York College at Buffalo (now Buffalo State University) joined the Empire 8 as an affiliate member for football in the 2012 fall season (2012–13 academic year).
- 2014 – The State University of New York at Brockport (SUNY Brockport) joined the Empire 8 as an affiliate member for football in the 2014 fall season (2014–15 academic year).
- 2015: Frostburg State and Salisbury left the Empire 8 as affiliate members for football to join the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) for that sport after the 2014 fall season (2014–15 academic year). The State University of New York at Cortland (SUNY Cortland) and the State University of New York at Morrisville (SUNY Morrisville) joined the Empire 8 as affiliate members for football in the 2015 fall season (2015–16 academic year).
- 2017: Moravian, Scranton and Susquehanna left the Empire 8 as affiliate members for men's golf after the 2017 spring season (2016–17 academic year). Ithaca left the Empire 8 to join the Liberty League after the 2016–17 academic year. Russell Sage College (then a women's college) and Sage College of Albany joined the Empire 8 in the 2017–18 academic year. The State University of New York at Canton (SUNY Canton) and the State University of New York at Oswego (SUNY Oswego) joined the Empire 8 as affiliate members for men's golf in the 2018 spring season (2017–18 academic year).
- 2018 – SUNY Canton left the Empire 8 as an affiliate member for men's golf after the 2018 spring season (2017–18 academic year).
- 2019: Buffalo State left the Empire 8 as an affiliate member for football to join the NJAC after the 2018 fall season (2018–19 academic year). Stevens left the Empire 8 to rejoin the Middle Atlantic Conferences (particularly the MAC's Freedom Conference) after the 2018–19 academic year.
- 2020: Keuka College joined the Empire 8 in the 2020–21 academic year The Sage Colleges merged Russell Sage and Sage College of Albany, making the former women-only Russell Sage co-educational (thus remaining in the Empire 8), in the 2020–21 academic year.
- 2022 – Medaille College joined the Empire 8 in the 2022–23 academic year.
- 2023: Medaille left the Empire 8 after the 2022–23 academic year; as the university announced that it would ceased operations one year after joining the conference. Washington & Jefferson left the Empire 8 as an affiliate member for field hockey to join the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) for that sport after the 2022 fall season (2022–23 academic year).
- 2024: The State University of New York at Geneseo (SUNY Geneseo) and the State University of New York Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) [alongside SUNY Brockport to upgrade for all sports] joined the Empire 8 in the 2024–25 academic year. Nine institutions joined the Empire 8 as affiliate members (and/or added other single sports into their associate memberships), all effective in the 2024–25 academic year: Hilbert College for football SUNY Canton rejoining for men's golf and SUNY Oswego, Lesley University, Norwich University, the State University of New York at Delhi (SUNY Delhi), Thomas College, Vermont State University at Johnson and Vermont State University at Lyndon for men's tennis
- 2025: Alfred State College joined the Empire 8 as an affiliate member for football in the 2025 fall season (2025–26 academic year). The Empire 8 announced that it entered into a scheduling agreement for non-conference football games with the Liberty League for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. As part of this agreement, Hilbert left the Empire 8 to join the Liberty League as an affiliate member for football after the 2024 season (2024–25 school year), giving both leagues 8 football-playing members.
- 2026 The State University of New York at Oneonta (SUNY Oneonta) will join the Empire 8 as an affiliate member for men's tennis, beginning in the 2027 spring season (2026–27 academic year). The Empire 8, which had previously sponsored men's volleyball as a non-NCAA sport with its members competing for NCAA tournament bids as part of single-sport conferences (the Continental Volleyball Conference, New England Volleyball Conference, and United Volleyball Conference), will elevate that sport to full NCAA championship status starting in spring 2027 (2026–27 school year). The E8 men's volleyball league will launch with seven full members.
- 2027 – Keuka will leave the Empire 8 to join the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference after the 2026–27 academic year.
Member schools
Current members
The Empire 8 currently has twelve full members; all but three are private schools.
| Institution | Location | Founded | Affiliation | Enrollment | Nickname | Colors | Joined | Football? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfred University | Alfred, New York | 1836 | Nonsectarian | 2,189 | Saxons | 1964 1998 | Yes | |
| Elmira College | Elmira, New York | 1855 | Nonsectarian | 768 | Soaring Eagles | 1993 | No | |
| Hartwick College | Oneonta, New York | 1797 | Nonsectarian | 1,208 | Hawks | 1991 | Yes | |
| Houghton University | Houghton, New York | 1883 | Wesleyan | 927 | Highlanders | 2012 | No | |
| Keuka College | Keuka Park, New York | 1890 | Baptist | 1,535 | Wolves | 2020 | No | |
| Nazareth University | Pittsford, New York | 1924 | Nonsectarian | 2,791 | Golden Flyers | 1993 | No | |
| Russell Sage College | Albany and Troy, New York | 1916 | Nonsectarian | 2,389 | Gators | 2017 | No | |
| St. John Fisher University | Rochester, New York | 1948 | Catholic (Basilians) | 3,610 | Cardinals | 1998 | Yes | |
| State University of New York at Brockport | Brockport, New York | 1867 | Public | 7,924 | Golden Eagles | 2024 | Yes | |
| State University of New York at Geneseo | Geneseo, New York | 1871 | Public | 4,910 | Knights | 2024 | No | |
| State University of New York Polytechnic Institute | Marcy, New York | 1966 | Public | 2,850 | Wildcats | 2024 | No | |
| Utica University | Utica, New York | 1946 | Nonsectarian | 4,614 | Pioneers | 1993 | Yes |
Notes
Affiliate members
The Empire 8 currently has eleven affiliate members; all but three are public schools.
Notes:
Former members
The Empire 8 had ten former full members, all private schools.
| Institution | Location | Founded | Affiliation | Enrollment | Nickname | Joined | Left | Current conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarkson University | Potsdam, New York | 1896 | Nonsectarian | 3,539 | Golden Knights | 1964 | 1991 | Liberty (LL) |
| Hobart and William Smith Colleges | Geneva, New York | 1822 & 1908 | 2,118 | Statesmen & Herons | 1964 | 1993 | Liberty (LL) | |
| Ithaca College | Ithaca, New York | 1892 | 4,600 | Bombers | 1971 | 2017 | Liberty (LL) | |
| Medaille College | Buffalo, New York | 1937 | 3,925 | Mavericks | 2022 | 2023 | Closed in 2023 | |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) | Troy, New York | 1824 | 7,521 | Engineers | 1964 | 1993 | Liberty (LL) | |
| Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) | Henrietta, New York | 1829 | 17,652 | Tigers | 1971 | 2011 | Liberty (LL) | |
| The Sage Colleges Sage College of Albany (co-ed) | Albany, New York | 1949 | 1,600 | Gators | 2017 | 2020 | N/A | |
| St. Lawrence University | Canton, New York | 1856 | 2,431 | Saints | 1964 | 1993 | Liberty (LL) | |
| Stevens Institute of Technology | Hoboken, New Jersey | 1870 | 5,260 | Ducks | 2007 | 2019 | MAC Freedom | |
| Union College | Schenectady, New York | 1795 | 2,194 | Dutchmen & Dutchwomen | 1964 | 1971 | Liberty (LL) |
Notes
Former affiliate members
The Empire 8 had ten former affiliate members; all but four were public schools.
Notes
Membership timeline
Full member (all sports) Full member (non-football) Associate member (football) Associate member (sport)
Championships
Sports
The Empire 8 sponsors intercollegiate athletic competition in the following sports:
| Sport | Men's | Women's |
|---|---|---|
| Baseball | Y | |
| Basketball | Y | Y |
| Cross country | Y | Y |
| Field hockey | Y | |
| Flag football | Y | |
| Football | Y | |
| Golf | Y | Y |
| Ice hockey | Y | |
| Lacrosse | Y | Y |
| Soccer | Y | Y |
| Softball | Y | |
| Swimming & Diving | Y | Y |
| Tennis | Y | Y |
| Track and field (indoor) | Y | Y |
| Track and field (outdoor) | Y | Y |
| Volleyball | Y | Y |
| Wrestling | Y |
Men's sponsored sports by school
| School | Baseball | Basketball | Cross Country | Football | Golf | Ice Hockey | Lacrosse | Soccer | Swimming & Diving | Tennis | Track & Field (Indoor) | Track & Field (Outdoor) | Volleyball | Wrestling | Total Empire 8 Sports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfred | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | 10 |
| Brockport | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 11 |
| Elmira | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | 7 |
| Geneseo | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | 8 |
| Hartwick | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 9 |
| Houghton | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 8 |
| Keuka | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | 6 |
| Nazareth | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 11 |
| Russell Sage | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 9 |
| St. John Fisher | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 13 |
| SUNY Poly | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | 7 |
| Utica | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 11 |
| Totals | 9 | 12 | 11 | 5+3 | 6+2 | 6 | 11 | 12 | 5 | 4+7 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 122 |
Men's varsity sports not sponsored by the Empire 8
| School | Alpine skiing | Equestrian | Rugby |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alfred | Independent | Independent | Independent |
| Nazareth | No | Independent | Independent |
Women's sponsored sports by school
| School | Basketball | Cross Country | Field Hockey | Flag Football | Golf | Lacrosse | Soccer | Softball | Swimming & Diving | Tennis | Track & Field (Indoor) | Track & Field (Outdoor) | Volleyball | Total Empire 8 Sports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfred | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 11 |
| Brockport | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 11 |
| Elmira | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | 6 |
| Geneseo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 12 |
| Hartwick | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 11 |
| Houghton | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9 |
| Keuka | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | 8 |
| Nazareth | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 12 |
| Russell Sage | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 11 |
| St. John Fisher | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 11 |
| SUNY Poly | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | 7 |
| Utica | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 11 |
| Totals | 12 | 11 | 11 | 5 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 120 |
Women's varsity sports not sponsored by the Empire 8
| School | Alpine skiing | Equestrian | Gymnastics | Ice hockey | Rowing | Rugby | Wrestling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfred | Independent | Independent | No | No | No | Independent | No |
| Brockport | No | No | NCGA | No | No | No | No |
| Elmira | No | No | No | UCHC | No | No | AMCC |
| Geneseo | No | Independent | No | No | No | No | No |
| Hartwick | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Nazareth | No | Independent | No | UCHC | Independent | No | No |
| Russell Sage | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| St. John Fisher | No | No | No | UCHC | Liberty League | No | No |
| Utica | No | No | NCGA | UCHC | No | No | Independent |