SUNY New Paltz is beginning a two-year process of exiting the SUNY Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) and seeking a new home conference for Hawks varsity sports. This transition would not take effect until the 2026-27 season. New Paltz will continue to compete in SUNYAC, with no changes to the existing structure, until that time.
The primary goal of this transition will be to improve the athletics and academic experience for all SUNY New Paltz students – including student athletes on our 16 varsity teams as well as the thousands of students who take advantage of intramural sports, athletics facilities, group exercise classes and the many other wellness opportunities provided on our campus.
“We are excited to be able to open a new chapter for Hawks athletics,” said SUNY New Paltz President Darrell P. Wheeler. “We take pride in our longstanding membership in SUNYAC, and I want to express gratitude to conference leadership and our outstanding competitors across the state system. The timing is right for our institution to pursue a new alignment that will create fresh opportunities for our entire student population and the University as a whole.”
“A conference change presents opportunities to enhance the profile and competitiveness of Hawks athletics programs at a time when our varsity teams are performing at historic levels,” said Director of Athletics, Wellness & Recreation Renee Bostic. “The transition to a new conference will position SUNY New Paltz to expand its athletics recruitment footprint, as well as our overall institutional awareness, beyond our historical markets.”
A major component of this plan will be to reduce away-game travel time for varsity teams. New Paltz athletes currently average four hours of transit time for road contests against SUNYAC teams, many of which take place at distant sites in western and northern New York.
Reducing that geographic distance will provide a better experience for athletes, by reducing the need for overnight stays and missed class time and enabling parents, friends and family to more easily travel to see them compete. It will also provide cost savings that can be reinvested into athletics and wellness programs that benefit all New Paltz students.
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