Nazareth Accepted for Membership into ECAC Men's West
(Courtesy of Nazareth Athletics; ECAC Communications contributed to this report)
CENTERVILLE, Mass. -- Slowly but surely
the pieces are beginning to fall into place for Nazareth College's
men's ice hockey team.
The Golden Flyers, set to begin intercollegiate play in 2012, have
been accepted for membership into the Eastern College Athletic
Conference Men's West (ECAC Men's West) ice hockey league. The
Golden Flyers will be the conference’s sixth member, joining
Elmira College, Hobart College, Manhattanville College, Neumann
University and Utica College.
“We think that top to bottom that this is one of the top conferences in the country,” said Nazareth Coach George Roll. “It could be tough for us coming out of the gate, but we’re excited about the opportunity that the ECAC has given us.”
“Nazareth will be an exceptional addition to the ECAC Men's West ice hockey league,” ECAC commissioner Rudy Keeling added. “Their rich history of athletic success has paved the way for their men’s hockey program to be a strong contender immediately. The ECAC is excited to welcome the institution as our newest member.”
With a six-team conference, each team will play a 15-game league
schedule. Nazareth has a tentative 25-game schedule in place for
2012-13 with the first game Oct. 19, 2012 versus Geneseo, out
of the State University of New York Athletic Conference.
Nazareth also has finalized plans to play its home games at the
2,500-seat Sports Centre at Monroe Community College, about a
15-minute drive from the Nazareth campus.
“There are a lot of plusses,” Roll said. “It’s a first-class facility that should be very accessible for visiting teams.”
The current ECAC West lineup has combined for 24 NCAA men's ice hockey tournament appearances, a national championship (Neumann in 2009), nine final four berths and one runner-up finish.
Nazareth 2012-13 Schedule (tentative)
Fri., Oct. 19 – Geneseo
Sat., Oct. 20 – at Geneseo
Tue., Oct. 23 – at Brockport
Sat., Oct. 27 – Salve Regina
Sat., Nov. 3 – at Utica
Fri., Nov. 9 – at Manhattanville
Sat., Nov. 10 – at Manhattanville
Fri., Nov. 16 – Hobart
Sat., Nov. 17 – Hobart
Sat., Nov. 23 – at Skidmore Tournament
Sun., Nov. 24 – at Skidmore Tournament
Fri., Dec. 7 – Western New England
Sat., Dec. 8 – Buffalo State
Sat., Jan. 12 – at Oswego
Tue., Jan. 15 – Brockport
Fri., Jan. 18 – Elmira
Sat., Jan. 19 – Elmira
Fri., Jan. 25 – Manhattanville
Sat., Jan. 26 – Neumann
Fri., Feb. 1 – at Hobart
Sat., Feb. 2 – at Elmira
Fri., Feb. 8 – at Utica
Sat., Feb. 9 – Utica
Fri., Feb. 15 – at Neumann
Sat. Feb. 16 – at Neumann
Wed., Feb. 20 – ECAC West First Round
Sat., Feb. 23 – ECAC West Semifinals
Sat., Mar. 2 – ECAC West Championship
