Release courtesy of ECAC Communications

CENTERVILLE, Mass. – Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Commissioner Dr. Kevin T. McGinniss announced that Endicott College has been accepted as a member into the ECAC Northeast Hockey league, beginning with the 2015-16 season.

"We're thrilled to have Endicott join ECAC Northeast Hockey," said McGinniss. "This is an exciting time for the growth of ice hockey with new programs emerging every year. The ECAC is committed to the sport and we look forward to providing a highly competitive experience for all of our members and student-athletes."

"We are really honored and excited that the ECAC Northeast membership, and the work of Assistant Commissioner Katie Boldvich, has welcomed Endicott into the Conference for the fall of 2015," said Endicott Athletic Director Dr. Brian Wylie. "Though we anticipate the growth and development of our program taking some time to be at the level of the other programs, we know that the leadership of head coach R.J. Tolan provides us the best opportunity. The collective work of our former club coaches Dan Haugh and most recently Mark O'Meara, have done a phenomenal job in getting our program where it is today.  We look forward to joining and competing in a quality conference."

Endicott recently announced the elevation of the men's program from club to NCAA Division III varsity status for the fall of 2015. The move will coincide with the construction of the College's new state-of-the-art rink, which is also scheduled to open in the fall of 2015.

The Gulls will join a league that currently consists of Becker College, Curry College, Johnson & Wales University, Nichols College, Salve Regina University, Suffolk University, Wentworth Institute of Technology, and Western New England University.  Nichols earned a berth in the NCAA Division III Men's Hockey Championship after capturing the ECAC Northeast crown in 2014.