Monday, August 20, 2012

PHILIPPI, W.Va. -- Alderson-Broaddus College held a press conference Monday afternoon to discuss its acceptance as a member of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) as released Sunday evening.

"We were so pleased last week to be offered an invitation by the Great Midwest Athletic Conference to become a member of the new athletic conference," said President Richard Creehan. "Conferences today in the NCAA want a regional footprint and no longer want to be isolated in one state, and the G-MAC certainly has that intention as well. The G-MAC will have representation in West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, and have expansion opportunities that will branch even further than those states. This will be a truly regional conference that we are excited to be a part of.”

The Battlers will begin play in the G-MAC for the 2013-14 academic year and anticipate finding an associate membership with a conference as a home for the football program in the near future.

 “Our plans are to begin play in our new conference next year,” explained Creehan. “The G-MAC will be the home for most of our athletic programs. It is growing and is new, but they hope in the near future that they will have enough members to have a football component.”

Athletic Director Dennis Creehan echoed the President’s enthusiasm surrounding the Battlers move to the G-MAC.

“This move to the Great Midwest Athletic Conference is perfect for us,” said Creehan. “We are really fired up about this league. All of our sports have a home now and they are secure.”

The G-MAC was approved by the NCAA as a member conference effective September 1, 2012 and is looking to begin competition as the 24^th active NCAA Division II conference by 2013-14.