MASCAC ANNOUNCES FORMATION OF MEN'S ICE HOCKEY LEAGUE

WESTFIELD, MA, July 14, 2008 - The Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) formally announced the addition of men's ice hockey as a conference-sponsored sport on Monday, July 14.

With Westfield State reinstating its program following a 20-year hiatus, the MASCAC now has five member institutions sponsoring men's ice hockey, and per conference-bylaw, will now become a MASCAC-recognized sport. Fitchburg State College, Framingham State College, Salem State College and Worcester State College are the other four members.

After competing as full members in the ECAC during the 2008-09 season, those five will be joined by affiliate members UMass-Dartmouth and Plymouth State University. The seven schools will formally withdraw from the ECAC and begin MASCAC play in 2009-10.

"We are excited to announce the addition of men's ice hockey as a MASCAC-sponsored sport," MASCAC Commissioner Angela Baumann said. "UMass-Dartmouth and Plymouth State University will be welcomed additions to our conference. We look forward to the opportunities this new league will provide to our member institutions and men's ice hockey student-athletes."

Following a mandatory two-year waiting period, the MASCAC will be sanctioned by the NCAA and receive an automatic qualifier into the NCAA Division III Championship beginning in 2011-12.

The MASCAC last sponsored men's ice hockey for 32 years 1971-2003.