Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Explained

Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
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Association:NCAA
Division:Division II
Teams:17
Sports:23
Mens:11
Womens:12
Region:Pennsylvania and West Virginia
Headquarters:Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Commissioner:Steve Murray
Since:1998
Map:PSAC Locations and Divisions.png
Map Size:250

The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) is a college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division II level. The conference was originally formed in 1951 as the State Teachers Conference, and was temporarily named the Pennsylvania State Teachers College Conference in 1956 before being assuming its current name in 1964.[1]

The conference's 17 full-time members include 16 based in Pennsylvania and one in West Virginia. The conference's headquarters are in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania and staffed by a commissioner, two assistant commissioners, and a director of media relations.

History

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education organized the conference in 1951 to promote competition in men's sports amongst the system's 14 universities.

In 1977, following growing interest, the conference was expanded to offer competition in women's sports. From its inception, each conference member selected its own competitive division within the NCAA (I, II, or III).

In 1980, however, the presidents voted to reclassify the entire conference to Division II within the NCAA.[2]

Membership remained unchanged until the conference announced on June 18, 2007, that it had invited three private universities—Gannon University and Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania and C.W. Post of Brookville, New York—to join the conference.[3] Gannon and Mercyhurst left the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference to join the PSAC, effective July 1, 2008.[4] C.W. Post became an associate member for football and field hockey.[5]

In 2010, Seton Hill University was accepted to join the conference as an associate member for field hockey. With the transition of West Chester from Division I to Division II, the number of teams competing in field hockey increased from 10 to 12 for the 2011 season.[6]

On August 19, 2012, the PSAC announced that Seton Hill and the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, formerly members of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC), would become full members beginning with the 2013–14 school year. This announcement was fallout from a split in the WVIAC that ultimately led to the formation of the Mountain East Conference (MEC). Although Seton Hill was one of the schools that initially broke away from the WVIAC, it chose not to join the MEC.[7] The arrival of these two schools brought the PSAC to 18 full members, making it the largest NCAA all-sports conference in terms of membership at that time.[8] While two other conferences briefly expanded to more members, the D-II Lone Star Conference to 19 in 2019–20 and the D-III USA South Athletic Conference to the same number in 2021–22, both have since reduced their memberships to less than 18, once again giving the PSAC the largest membership of any NCAA all-sports conference.

In March 2018, charter member Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, facing crises in enrollment, graduation rates, and finances, announced that it would leave NCAA Division II and the PSAC at the end of the 2017–18 school year. The school had dropped football in December 2017.[9]

Later that year, the conference announced that it would expand into West Virginia, bringing in Shepherd University from the MEC as a full member effective with the 2019–20 school year. Shepherd is the first full PSAC member outside of Pennsylvania.[10]

Role in Division I conference realignment

The PSAC played a little-known but nonetheless significant role in the history of NCAA Division I conference realignment. In 1986, the conference was seeking a way out of a football scheduling conundrum. The PSAC had 14 members at the time, and had been split into divisions for decades. One of the methods it historically used to determine a football champion involved a championship game between the winners of its two divisions. However, due to NCAA limits on regular-season games, every PSAC team had to leave a schedule spot open, with only the two division winners getting to play all of their allowed regular-season games. Then-conference commissioner Tod Eberle asked Dick Yoder, then athletic director at West Chester and member of the Division II council, to draft NCAA legislation that would allow the PSAC to play a conference title game that would be exempt from regular-season limits. The initial draft required that a qualifying league have 14 members and play a round-robin schedule within each division; only the PSAC then qualified.[11]

Before Yoder formally introduced the proposal, he was approached by the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, which was interested in co-sponsoring the legislation because it was also split into football divisions and wanted the option of a championship game. Since the CIAA then had 12 members, Yoder changed the legislation to require 12 members instead of 14. Although at the time all NCAA legislation had to be approved by the entire membership, regardless of divisional alignment, the proposal passed with little notice. It was generally seen as a non-issue by Division I-A (now FBS) schools since no conference in that group then had more than 10 members. While the PSAC planned to stage its first exempt title game in 1988, it decided against doing so at that time because the D-II playoffs expanded from 8 to 16 teams that season, and it feared that the result of a title game could cost the league a playoff berth. The new NCAA rule would not see its first use until the Southeastern Conference took advantage of it by expanding to 12 members in 1991 and launching a title game the following year. In 2014, then-Sports Illustrated writer Andy Staples said that the rule "helped dictate the terms of conference realignment for more than 20 years."[11]

Chronological timeline

Notes

Member schools

Current members

The PSAC currently has 17 full members, all but two being public schools. Also, only three of the 15 public members are outside of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoinedColors
Bloomsburg University of PennsylvaniaBloomsburg, Pennsylvania1839Public7,440Huskies1951
East Stroudsburg University of PennsylvaniaEast Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania1893Public5,152Warriors1951
Gannon UniversityErie, Pennsylvania1925Catholic4,705Golden Knights2008
Indiana University of PennsylvaniaIndiana, Pennsylvania1875Public8,825Crimson Hawks1951
Kutztown University of PennsylvaniaKutztown, Pennsylvania1866Public7,466Golden Bears1951
Lock Haven University of PennsylvaniaLock Haven, Pennsylvania1870Public2,860Bald Eagles1951
Mansfield University of PennsylvaniaMansfield, Pennsylvania1857Public1,793Mountaineers1951
Millersville University of PennsylvaniaMillersville, Pennsylvania1855Public6,814Marauders1951

(California)
California, Pennsylvania1852Public6,885Vulcans1951

(Clarion)
Clarion, Pennsylvania1867Public3,922Golden Eagles1951

(Edinboro)
Edinboro, Pennsylvania1857Public4,319Fighting Scots1951
Johnstown, Pennsylvania1927Public
(State-related)
2,039Mountain Cats2013
Seton Hill UniversityGreensburg, Pennsylvania1883Catholic1,989Griffins2013
Shepherd UniversityShepherdstown, West Virginia1871Public3,235Rams2019
Shippensburg University of PennsylvaniaShippensburg, Pennsylvania1871Public5,162Raiders1951
Slippery Rock University of PennsylvaniaSlippery Rock, Pennsylvania1889Public8,243The Rock1951
West Chester University of PennsylvaniaWest Chester, Pennsylvania1871Public17,275Golden Rams1951
Notes:

Former members

The PSAC had two former full members, a public school and a private school:

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoinedLeftColorsCurrent
conference
Cheyney University of PennsylvaniaCheyney, Pennsylvania1837Public 642Wolves19512018Independent
Mercyhurst UniversityErie, Pennsylvania1926Catholic2,801Lakers20082024Northeast (NEC)
Notes:

Affiliate members

The PSAC has one affiliate member, a public school.

Former affiliate members

The PSAC had one former affiliate member, which was also a private school:

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationNicknameJoinedLeftPSAC
sport(s)
Primary
conference
Long Island University–PostBrookville, New York1954NonsectarianPioneers2008–092012–13Field hockeyNortheast (NEC)
Football
Note:

Membership timeline

DateFormat = yyyyImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:20Period = from:1951 till:2031TimeAxis = orientation:horizontalPlotArea = right:5 left:5 bottom:20 top:5

Colors = id:line value:black id:Full value:rgb(0.63,0.88,0.755) # all sports id:FullxF value:rgb(0.88,0.755,0.63) # non-football id:AssocF value:rgb(0.88,0.63,0.63) # football-only id:AssocOS value:rgb(0.755,0.755,0.63) # associate

PlotData = width:15 textcolor:black shift:(5,-5) anchor:from fontsize:s

bar:1 color:Full from:1951 till:end text:Bloomsburg (1951–present)

bar:2 color:Full from:1951 till:end text:California (1951–present)

bar:3 color:Full from:1951 till:2018 text:Cheyney (1951–2018)

bar:4 color:Full from:1951 till:end text:Clarion (1951–present)

bar:5 color:Full from:1951 till:end text:East Stroudsburg (1951–present)

bar:6 color:Full from:1951 till:end text:Edinboro (1951–present)

bar:7 color:Full from:1951 till:1966 text:Indiana (1951–present) bar:7 color:FullxF from:1966 till:1974 bar:7 color:Full from:1974 till:end

bar:8 color:Full from:1951 till:end text:Kutztown (1951–present)

bar:9 color:Full from:1951 till:end text:Lock Haven (1951–present)

bar:10 color:Full from:1951 till:2007 text:Mansfield (1951–present) bar:10 color:FullxF from:2007 till:end

bar:11 color:Full from:1951 till:end text:Millersville (1951–present)

bar:12 color:Full from:1951 till:end text:Shippensburg (1951–present)

bar:13 color:Full from:1951 till:end text:Slippery Rock (1951–present)

bar:14 color:Full from:1951 till:1977 text:West Chester (1951–present) bar:14 color:FullxF from:1977 till:1982 bar:14 color:Full from:1982 till:end

bar:15 color:Full from:2008 till:end text:Gannon (2008–present)

bar:16 color:Full from:2008 till:2024 text:Mercyhurst (2008–2024)

bar:17 color:AssocF from:2008 till:2013 text:LIU–Post (2008–2013)

bar:18 color:AssocOS from:2011 till:2013 text:Seton Hill (2011–present) bar:18 color:Full from:2013 till:end

bar:19 color:FullxF from:2013 till:end text:Pitt–Johnstown (2013–present)

bar:20 color:Full from:2019 till:end text:Shepherd (2019–present)

bar:21 color:AssocOS from:2024 till:end text:Frostburg State (2024–future)

ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit:year increment:5 start:1951

Sports

In wrestling; Bloomsburg, Clarion, Edinboro, and Lock Haven compete as members of the Division I Mid-American Conference. The PSAC held an annual championship open to all Division I and Division II teams, however with the transition of all of the former members of the Eastern Wrestling League into the MAC starting in 2019 the Division I level PSAC programs will focus on Division I level competition. The PSAC offers championships in the following sports.[14]

width=33%A 2-divisional format is used for baseball, basketball (M / W), football, and tennis (W).width=33%A 3-divisional format is used for softball.width=33%A 4-divisional format is used for volleyball.
  • Bloomsburg
  • East Stroudsburg
  • Kutztown
  • Lock Haven
  • Mansfield
  • Millersville
  • Shepherd
  • Shippensburg
  • West Chester
  • California
  • Clarion
  • Edinboro
  • Gannon
  • IUP
  • Mercyhurst
  • Pitt–Johnstown
  • Seton Hill
  • Slippery Rock
  • East Stroudsburg
  • Kutztown
  • Millersville
  • Shepherd
  • Shippensburg
  • West Chester
  • Bloomsburg
  • Clarion
  • IUP
  • Lock Haven
  • Mansfield
  • Pitt–Johnstown
  • California
  • Edinboro
  • Gannon
  • Mercyhurst
  • Seton Hill
  • Slippery Rock
  • Bloomsburg
  • East Stroudsburg
  • Kutztown
  • Lock Haven
  • Millersville
  • Clarion
  • Edinboro
  • Gannon
  • Mercyhurst
  • Slippery Rock
  • Millersville
  • Shepherd
  • Shippensburg
  • West Chester
  • California
  • IUP
  • Pitt–Johnstown
  • Seton Hill

Men's sponsored sports by school

SchoolBaseballBasketballCross
Country
FootballGolfSoccerSwimming
& Diving
TennisTrack
& Field
Indoor
Track
& Field
Outdoor
WrestlingTotal
PSAC
Sports
Bloomsburg9
California8
Clarion5
East Stroudsburg8
Edinboro6
Gannon8
Indiana8
Kutztown8
Lock Haven6
Mansfield5
Millersville7
Pittsburgh–Johnstown8
Seton Hill8
Shepherd6
Shippensburg9
Slippery Rock7
West Chester10
Totals161714158127611138126-Future Member -->

Women's sponsored sports by school

SchoolBasketballCross
Country
Field
Hockey
GolfLacrosseSoccerSoftballSwimming
& Diving
TennisnowrapTrack
& Field
Indoor
Track
& Field
Outdoor
VolleyballTotal
PSAC
Sports
Bloomsburg10
California10
Clarion10
East Stroudsburg12
Edinboro10
Gannon8
Indiana11
Kutztown12
Lock Haven9
Mansfield7
Millersville12
Pittsburgh–Johnstown7
Seton Hill11
Shepherd7
Shippensburg11
Slippery Rock10
West Chester12
Totals171610+191317171213151516170-Future Member -->

Other sponsored sports by school

SchoolMenWomen
LacrosseWater
Polo
WrestlingAcrobatics &<br>TumblingBowlingEquestrianField
Hockey
GymnasticsRugbyWater
Polo
Wrestling
BloomsburgMAC
ClarionMAC
East StroudsburgINDIND
EdinboroMAC
GannonWWPAINDWWPAIND
KutztownINDECC
Lock HavenMACA-10IND
Seton HillG-MACIND
West ChesterECACNIRA

In addition to the above:

Championships

See main article: PSAC Football Championship Game and PSAC men's basketball tournament.

Conference venues

SchoolFootball stadiumCapacityBasketball arenaCapacityOther facilities
BloomsburgRobert B. Redman StadiumNelson FieldhouseJan Hutchinson Field
Danny Litwhiler Field
Steph Pettit Stadium
CaliforniaHepner-Bailey Field at Adamson StadiumCalifornia University of Pennsylvania Convocation CenterWild Things Park
Phillipsburg Soccer Facility
Lilley Field
Hamer Hall
ClarionMemorial FieldW.S. Tippin Gymnasium
East StroudsburgEiler-Martin StadiumKoehler FieldhouseWhitenight Field
Mitterling Field
Zimbar Field
EdinboroSox Harrison StadiumMcComb FieldhouseZafirovski Sports and Recreation Dome
GannonMcConnell Family StadiumHammermill Center
IUPGeorge P. Miller StadiumKovalchick Convention and Athletic ComplexDougherty Field
Podbielski Field
Memorial Field House
South Campus Field
KutztownUniversity Field at Andre Reed StadiumKeystone Field HouseO'Pake Field House
Keystone Field
North Campus Field
Lock HavenHubert Jack StadiumThomas FieldhouseFoundation Field
Lawrence Field
Charlotte Smith Field
Zimmerli Gymnasium
MansfieldDecker GymnasiumLutes Field
Spaulding Field
Shaute Field
Soccer Field
MillersvilleBiemesderfer StadiumPucillo GymnasiumCooper Park
Millersville Softball Field
Pittsburgh–JohnstownSports CenterPoint Stadium (baseball)
Seton HillOffutt FieldSalvitti GymnasiumDick's Sporting Goods Field
ShepherdRam StadiumButcher CenterFairfax Baseball Field
Shepherd Softball Field
ShippensburgSeth Grove StadiumHeiges Field HouseRobb Field
David See Field
Art Fairchild Field
Slippery RockN. Kerr Thompson StadiumMorrow Field HouseEgli Soccer Field
Critchfield Park
West ChesterJohn A. Farrell StadiumHollinger Field HouseVonnie Gros Field
Serpico Stadium

Notable alumni

The following is a list of alumni of the respective universities, including before the formation of the Conference in 1951.

Football

Baseball

Basketball

Soccer

Olympians

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Clarion Men's Basketball - Year by Year Records (PDF). March 19, 2022. Clarion University. https://web.archive.org/web/20220319175007/https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/clariongoldeneagles.com/documents/2020/5/12/All_Time_Results_5_12_20.pdf. March 19, 2022. live.
  2. Web site: PSAC Overview. September 10, 2010. PSAC. https://web.archive.org/web/20101127045724/http://psacsports.org/sports/2009/6/29/overview.aspx. November 27, 2010. dead.
  3. News: PSAC invites, Gannon, Mercyhurst to be full members. June 19, 2007. September 10, 2010. The Vindicator. https://web.archive.org/web/20120320083009/http://www.vindy.com/news/2007/jun/19/psac-invites-gannon-mercyhurst-to-be-full-members/. March 20, 2012. dead.
  4. Web site: PSAC adds Gannon University and Mercyhurst College to Membership. June 27, 2007. PSAC. September 10, 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20071026063925/http://www.psacsports.org/news/200607/6_27GandM.html. October 26, 2007.
  5. News: PSAC admits C.W. Post as associate members in two sports. https://archive.today/20130131081557/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/s_514932.html. dead. January 31, 2013. June 28, 2007. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. September 10, 2010.
  6. Web site: Seton Hill to Join PSAC as Field Hockey Associate Member. October 26, 2010. October 27, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20101128235931/http://psacsports.org/news/2010/10/26/FHOCK_1026104026.aspx. November 28, 2010. dead.
  7. News: Cards, Toppers Set To Jump Into New League. Shawn. Rine. The Intelligencer & Wheeling News Register. Wheeling, WV. August 20, 2012. August 21, 2012.
  8. University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Seton Hill University to Join PSAC. Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. August 19, 2012. August 21, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20130927192131/http://www.psacsports.org/news/2012/8/19/GEN_0819125935.aspx. September 27, 2013. dead.
  9. News: Cheyney University dropping sports in an attempt to strengthen academics and school . Daryl . Bell . . March 23, 2018 . March 25, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180325232245/https://theundefeated.com/features/cheyney-university-oldest-hbcu-dropping-ncaa-division-ii-status-psac/ . March 25, 2018 . live .
  10. Shepherd University to Join PSAC in 2019–20 . Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference . June 7, 2018 . June 19, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180619214014/http://psacsports.org/news/2018/6/7/general-shepherd-university-to-join-psac-in-2019-20.aspx . June 19, 2018 . dead .
  11. Should NCAA alter title game requirements? Look at the rule's origin. Andy. Staples. Sports Illustrated. May 16, 2014. January 5, 2016.
  12. Welcome To The Lake Show: Mercyhurst University Accepts Northeast Conference Membership Invite . Northeast Conference . April 4, 2024 . April 4, 2024.
  13. PSAC announces addition of Frostburg State field hockey as Associate Member beginning in 2024 season. Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference . May 30, 2023 . May 30, 2023.
  14. Web site: Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. September 22, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090924094403/http://www.psacsports.org/. September 24, 2009. dead.