FROSTBURG, Md. – Frostburg State University has accepted an invitation to become a member of the Capital Athletic Conference, it was announced by FSU President Jonathan Gibralter and Capital Athletic Conference Commissioner Tom Byrnes. Frostburg will become an official member of the league on July 1, 2010, and start athletic competition that fall.
FSU will join the eight other members of the CAC, including fellow Maryland state institutions Salisbury University and St. Mary’s College, as well as Hood College and Stevenson University in Maryland, York College in Pennsylvania, Marymount University and University of Mary Washington in Virginia and Wesley College in Delaware.
Frostburg State University is currently a member of the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference, which encompasses schools primarily from western Pennsylvania and western New York. FSU will remain in AMCC for the 2009-10 athletic year.
“Entry into the CAC represents a new era for Frostburg State Athletics that will improve our competitiveness and expand our range of sports,” Gibralter said. “In addition, the schools that represent the CAC are in our recruitment area, making it easier for FSU to attract student-athletes and for their families to watch their sons and daughters participate in intercollegiate athletics. We will miss the AMCC. It is an outstanding, competitive conference, but this is best for our students.”
The Bobcats compete in 13 of the AMCC’s 14 championship sports, but will compete in 18 of 19 sports in the CAC. That includes three Frostburg teams – field hockey, women’s lacrosse and its renewed men’s lacrosse team – that will find a conference after having to compete as independents. Frostburg fields 21 NCAA Division III varsity sports teams.
“Spirited competition has always been a hallmark of the CAC, and Frostburg State's programs will be an excellent addition to our conference,” said Byrnes. “Under the leadership of President Gibralter and Director of Athletics Troy Dell, we look forward to the Bobcats' program being a challenger in the already strong Capital Athletic Conference.”
The Capital Athletic Conference, which is celebrating its 20th year in existence, is a coalition of four-year, co-educational institutions that promotes intercollegiate athletic competition among schools located in close geographic proximity that have similar educational and athletic philosophies.
“The Capital Athletic Conference Board of Directors is thrilled to offer CAC membership to Frostburg State University; an institution that not only fits our philosophical make up but also offers a highly competitive array of intercollegiate athletic teams,” CAC President Sean Sullivan said. “The Bobcats joining CAC competition is a winning situation. The CAC further enhances its level of play on the field with yet another successful program, and FSU is able to join a like minded athletic conference which frequently makes waves at the national level. It’s a fantastic match!”
Situated in the mountains of Allegany County, Frostburg State University is one of the 13 institutions of the University System of Maryland. FSU is a comprehensive, residential regional university and serves as an educational and cultural center for Western Maryland.