The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) is an intercollegiate athletic conference that competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III, consisting of schools in the State University of New York system. It was chartered in 1958 as the New York State Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
| Formerly | New York State Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (1958–1963) |
|---|---|
| Association | NCAA |
| Founded | 1958 |
| Commissioner | Tom Di Camillo (since 2014) |
| Sports fielded |
|
| Division | Division III |
| No. of teams | 10 full (12 full in 2026), 17 affiliates |
| Headquarters | Syracuse, New York |
| Region | New York |
| Official website | sunyacsports.com |
| Locations | |
History
110km
68miles
68miles
Morrisville
Alfred State
Cobleskill
Delhi
New Paltz
Plattsburgh
Oneonta
Potsdam
Cortland
Oswego
Fredonia
Buffalo State
Canton
Locations of SUNYAC members:
Full
Departing
Future
Full
Departing
Future
Recent changes
On May 12, 2023, the SUNYAC announced that the conference absorbed the Northeast Women's Hockey League (NEWHL; a women's ice hockey-only league) and started to sponsor the sport. 5 full members of the SUNYAC were members of the NEWHL, therefore SUNY Canton and SUNY Morrisville became affiliate members of SUNYAC in that sport in the 2023–24 season.
On August 21, 2023, SUNY Brockport and SUNY Geneseo both announced that they would become full members of the Empire 8 starting in the 2024-25 season.
On October 5, 2023, the SUNYAC announced that started to sponsor men's wrestling effective immediately during the 2023-24 academic year, absorbing the remnants of the Empire Collegiate Wrestling Conference (ECWC), which 4 full members of the SUNYAC sponsor the sport. Also the SUNYAC welcomed Ithaca, RIT, St. Johns Fisher and Utica as affiliate members in that sport. Also in the same date, the SUNYAC announced that SUNY Canton and SUNY Morrisville will join the conference as full members starting in 2024-25.
On April 3, 2024, SUNY New Paltz announced that they would leave the SUNYAC after the conclusion of the 2025-26 season to join the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC).
On June 5, 2025, it was announced that Alfred State College, SUNY Cobleskill, and SUNY Delhi would join the conference starting in 2026-27.
Chronological timeline
- 1958 – On September 19, 1958, the SUNYAC was founded as the New York State Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NYSIAC). Charter members included the New York State College for Teachers at Albany (now the University at Albany), the Brockport State Teachers College (now the State University of New York at Brockport), the State University College for Teachers at Buffalo (now Buffalo State University), Cortland State Teachers College (now the State University of New York at Cortland), the New York State College for Teachers at New Paltz (now the State University of New York at New Paltz), the State University College of Education at Oneonta (now the State University of New York at Oneonta), Oswego State Teachers College (now the State University of New York at Oswego), Plattsburgh State Normal and Training School (now the State University of New York at Plattsburgh) and the New York State College for Teachers at Potsdam (now the State University of New York at Potsdam), beginning the 1958–59 academic year.
- 1959 – Geneseo Normal and Training School (now the State University of New York at Geneseo) and Fredonia State Teachers College (now the State University of New York at Fredonia) joined the SUNYAC in the 1959–60 academic year.
- 1963 – The NYSIAC was rebranded as the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) in the 1963–64 academic year.
- 1973 – Harpur College (now Binghamton University) joined the SUNYAC in the 1973–74 academic year.
- 1978 – The University at Buffalo joined the SUNYAC in the 1978–79 academic year.
- 1983 – Women's sports became part of the SUNYAC in the 1983–84 academic year.
- 1988 – SUNY Buffalo left the SUNYAC to join the Division I ranks of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as an NCAA D-I Independent after the 1987–88 academic year.
- 1991 – The State University of New York at Utica/Rome (now the State University of New York Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly)) joined the SUNYAC in the 1991–92 academic year.
- 1995 – SUNY Albany left the SUNYAC to join the NCAA Division II ranks as an NCAA D-II Independent after the 1994–95 academic year.
- 1997 – SUNY Binghamton left the SUNYAC to join the NCAA Division II ranks as an NCAA D-II Independent after the 1996–97 academic year.
- 2007 – The State University of New York at Morrisville (also known as Morrisville State College) joined the SUNYAC in the 2007–08 academic year.
- 2008 – SUNYIT left the SUNYAC to join the North East Athletic Conference (NEAC; now known as the United East Conference) after the 2007–08 academic year.
- 2009 – SUNY Morrisville left the SUNYAC to join the NEAC (after a tenure of two seasons) at the end of the 2008–09 academic year; while the school has since remained in the league as an associate member from 2009–10 on forward for field hockey and men's ice hockey.
- 2023:
- Six institutions joined the SUNYAC as associate members (and/or added other single sports into their associate memberships), all effective in the 2023–24 academic year:
- Ithaca College, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), St. John Fisher University and Utica University for men's wrestling; all coming from the defunct wrestling-only Empire Collegiate Wrestling Conference (ECWC)
- and the State University of New York at Canton (SUNY Canton) and former full member SUNY Morrisville for women's ice hockey; both coming from the defunct ice hockey-only Northeast Women's Hockey League (NEWHL)
- Six institutions joined the SUNYAC as associate members (and/or added other single sports into their associate memberships), all effective in the 2023–24 academic year:
- 2024:
- SUNY Brockport and SUNY Geneseo left the SUNYAC to join the Empire 8 Athletic Conference (Empire 8) after the 2023–24 academic year; while SUNY Brockport remained in the league as an associate member for men's wrestling.
- SUNY Canton upgraded as a full member for all sports (with SUNY Morrisville following suit) in the 2024–25 academic year.
- Five institutions joined the SUNYAC as associate members, all effective in the 2024–25 academic year:
- Alfred State College, Hilbert College and Pennsylvania State University at Erie, The Behrend College (a.k.a. Penn State–Behrend) and the State University of New York at Cobleskill (SUNY Cobleskill) for men's and women's indoor and outdoor track & field
- and the State University of New York at Delhi (SUNY Delhi) for men's and women's indoor track & field
- 2025:
- Ten institutions will join the SUNYAC as associate members (and/or add other single sports into their associate memberships), all effective in the 2025–26 academic year:
- Elmira College for men's wrestling
- Hobart College and Skidmore College for men's ice hockey
- Pennsylvania State University at Altoona (a.k.a. Penn State–Altoona), Penn State–Behrend and the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford for men's and women's swimming & diving
- Salisbury University for field hockey
- SUNY Cobleskill and SUNY Delhi for men's and women's cross country
- and William Smith College for women's ice hockey
- Ten institutions will join the SUNYAC as associate members (and/or add other single sports into their associate memberships), all effective in the 2025–26 academic year:
- 2026:
- SUNY New Paltz will leave the SUNYAC to join the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) at the end of the 2025–26 academic year.
- Alfred State, SUNY Cobleskill and SUNY Delhi will upgrade as full members of the SUNYAC for all sports, beginning the 2026–27 academic year.
Member schools
Current members
The SUNYAC currently has ten full members, all are public schools:
| Institution | Location | Founded | Affiliation | Enrollment | Nickname | Joined | Colors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State University of New York Buffalo State University (Buffalo State) | Buffalo | 1871 | Public | 8,339 | Bengals | 1958 | |
| State University of New York at Canton (SUNY Canton) | Canton | 1906 | Public | 3,122 | Roos | 2024 | |
| State University of New York at Cortland (SUNY Cortland) | Cortland | 1868 | Public | 6,832 | Red Dragons | 1958 | |
| State University of New York at Fredonia (SUNY Fredonia) | Fredonia | 1826 | Public | 3,780 | Blue Devils | 1959 | |
| State University of New York at Morrisville (SUNY Morrisville) | Morrisville | 1908 | Public | 2,486 | Mustangs | 2007; 2024 | |
| State University of New York at New Paltz (SUNY New Paltz) | New Paltz | 1828 | Public | 7,489 | Hawks | 1958 | |
| State University of New York at Oneonta (SUNY Oneonta) | Oneonta | 1889 | Public | 6,733 | Red Dragons | 1958 | |
| State University of New York at Oswego (SUNY Oswego) | Oswego | 1861 | Public | 7,636 | Lakers | 1958 | |
| State University of New York at Plattsburgh (SUNY Plattsburgh) | Plattsburgh | 1889 | Public | 5,257 | Cardinals | 1958 | |
| State University of New York at Potsdam (SUNY Potsdam) | Potsdam | 1816 | Public | 3,098 | Bears | 1958 |
- Notes
- All cities are located within the State of New York.
- Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
- Part of the State University of New York System.
- Affiliate member of the SUNYAC for women's ice hockey since 2023.
- Full member of the SUNYAC from 2007–08 to 2008–09; affiliate member for field hockey and men's ice hockey since 2009 and women's ice hockey since 2023
Future full members
| Institution | Location | Founded | Affiliation | Enrollment | Nickname | Joining | Colors | Previous conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfred State College | Alfred | 1908 | Public | 3,500 | Pioneers | 2026 | Allegheny Mountain (AMCC) | |
| State University of New York at Cobleskill (SUNY Cobleskill) | Cobleskill | 1911 | Public | 2,087 | Fighting Tigers | 2026 | North Atlantic (NAC) | |
| State University of New York at Delhi (SUNY Delhi) | Delhi | 1913 | Public | 3,088 | Broncos | 2026 | North Atlantic (NAC) |
- Notes
- All cities are located within the State of New York.
- Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
- Part of the State University of New York System.
- Alfred State currently competes as an associate member of the SUNYAC for men's and women's indoor and outdoor track & field since the 2024–25 school year, before gaining full membership in 2026–27.
- SUNY Cobleskill currently competes as an associate member of the SUNYAC for men's and women's indoor and outdoor track & field since the 2024–25 school year, and in men's and women's cross country since 2025–26, before gaining full membership in 2026–27.
- SUNY Delhi currently competes as an associate member of the SUNYAC for men's and women's indoor track & field since the 2024–25 school year, and in men's and women's cross country since 2025–26, before gaining full membership in 2026–27.
Affiliate members
The SUNYAC currently has 17 affiliate members, half of them are private schools:
| Institution | Location | Founded | Affiliation | Enrollment | Nickname | Joined | SUNYAC sport(s) | Primary conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfred State College | Alfred, New York | 1908 | Public | 3,500 | Pioneers | 2024 | Men's indoor track & field | Allegheny Mountain (AMCC) |
| 2024 | Men's outdoor track & field | |||||||
| 2024 | Women's indoor track & field | |||||||
| 2024 | Women's outdoor track & field | |||||||
| Elmira College | Elmira, New York | 1855 | Nonsectarian | 768 | Soaring Eagles | 2025 | Men's wrestling | Empire 8 (E8) |
| Hilbert College | Hamburg, New York | 1957 | Catholic (Franciscan) | 1,100 | Hawks | 2024 | Men's indoor track & field | Allegheny Mountain (AMCC) |
| 2024 | Men's outdoor track & field | |||||||
| 2024 | Women's indoor track & field | |||||||
| 2024 | Women's outdoor track & field | |||||||
| Hobart College | Geneva, New York | 1822 | Nonsectarian | 2,337 | Statesmen | 2025 | Men's ice hockey | Liberty (LL) |
| Ithaca College | Ithaca, New York | 1892 | Nonsectarian | 6,769 | Bombers | 2023 | Men's wrestling | Liberty (LL) |
| Penn State Altoona | Logan Township, Pennsylvania | 1939 | Public | 3,800 | Lions | 2025 | Men's swimming & diving | Allegheny Mountain (AMCC) |
| 2025 | Women's swimming & diving | |||||||
| Penn State Erie, The Behrend College | Erie, Pennsylvania | 1948 | Public | 4,700 | Lions | 2024 | Men's indoor track & field | Allegheny Mountain (AMCC) |
| 2024 | Men's outdoor track & field | |||||||
| 2024 | Women's indoor track & field | |||||||
| 2024 | Women's outdoor track & field | |||||||
| 2025 | Men's swimming & diving | |||||||
| 2025 | Women's swimming & diving | |||||||
| University of Pittsburgh at Bradford | Bradford, Pennsylvania | 1963 | Public | 1,502 | Panthers | 2025 | Men's swimming & diving | Allegheny Mountain (AMCC) |
| 2025 | Women's swimming & diving | |||||||
| Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) | Henrietta, New York | 1829 | Nonsectarian | 18,000 | Tigers | 2023 | Men's wrestling | Liberty (LL) |
| St. John Fisher University | Rochester, New York | 1948 | Nonsectarian | 3,610 | Cardinals | 2023 | Men's wrestling | Empire 8 (E8) |
| Salisbury University | Salisbury, Maryland | 1925 | Public | 8,657 | Sea Gulls | 2025 | Field hockey | Coast to Coast (C2C) |
| Skidmore College | Saratoga Springs, New York | 1903 | Nonsectarian | 2,500 | Thoroughbreds | 2025 | Men's ice hockey | Liberty (LL) |
| State University of New York at Brockport (SUNY Brockport) | Brockport, New York | 1867 | Public | 7,924 | Golden Eagles | 2024 | Men's wrestling | Empire 8 (E8) |
| State University of New York at Cobleskill (SUNY Cobleskill) | Cobleskill, New York | 1911 | Public | 2,087 | Fighting Tigers | 2024 | Men's indoor track & field | North Atlantic (NAC) |
| 2024 | Men's outdoor track & field | |||||||
| 2024 | Women's indoor track & field | |||||||
| 2024 | Women's outdoor track & field | |||||||
| 2025 | Men's cross country | |||||||
| 2025 | Women's cross country | |||||||
| State University of New York at Delhi (SUNY Delhi) | Delhi, New York | 1913 | Public | 3,088 | Broncos | 2024 | Men's indoor track & field | North Atlantic (NAC) |
| 2024 | Women's indoor track & field | |||||||
| 2025 | Men's cross country | |||||||
| 2025 | Women's cross country | |||||||
| Utica University | Utica, New York | 1946 | Nonsectarian | 4,614 | Pioneers | 2023 | Men's wrestling | Empire 8 (E8) |
| William Smith College | Geneva, New York | 1908 | Nonsectarian | 2,229 | Herons | 2025 | Women's ice hockey | Liberty (LL) |
- Notes
- Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
- Part of the State University of New York System.
- Part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE).
- SUNY Brockport was a full member of the SUNYAC from 1958–59 to 2023–24.
Former members
The SUNYAC had six former full members, all were public schools:
| Institution | Location | Founded | Affiliation | Enrollment | Nickname | Joined | Left | Current conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University at Albany (SUNY Albany) | Albany | 1844 | Public | 17,500 | Great Danes | 1958 | 1995 | America East (AmEast) |
| Binghamton University (SUNY Binghamton) | Vestal | 1946 | Public | 14,713 | Bearcats | 1973 | 1997 | America East (AmEast) |
| University at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo) | Buffalo | 1846 | Public | 28,601 | Bulls | 1978 | 1988 | Mid-American (MAC) |
| State University of New York at Brockport (SUNY Brockport) | Brockport | 1867 | Public | 7,924 | Golden Eagles | 1958 | 2024 | Empire 8 (E8) |
| State University of New York at Geneseo (SUNY Geneseo) | Geneseo | 1871 | Public | 4,910 | Knights | 1959 | 2024 | Empire 8 (E8) |
| State University of New York Institute of Technology (SUNY Poly) | Marcy | 1966 | Public | 2,870 | Wildcats | 1991 | 2008 | Empire 8 (E8) |
- Notes
- All cities are located within the State of New York.
- Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
- Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition ends.
- Also known as the State University of New York at Albany.
- Part of the State University of New York System.
- Currently an NCAA Division I athletic conference.
- Also known as the State University of New York at Binghamton.
- Also known as the State University of New York at Buffalo.
- SUNY Brockport remains in the SUNYAC as an affiliate member for men's wrestling.
Membership timeline
Full member (all sports) Full member (non-football) Associate member (football) Associate member (sport)
- Buffalo left to join the East Coast Conference while reclassifying to Division I and the Mid-American Conference
- Albany and Binghamton left to join the New England Collegiate Conference while reclassifying to Division I and the America East Conference
- SUNYIT left to join the North Eastern Athletic Conference
- Morrisville State (SUNY Morrisville) left to join the North Eastern Athletic Conference
Conference facilities
| Institution | Basketball Arena | Capacity | Football Stadium | Capacity | Ice Hockey Arena | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo State | Buffalo State Sports Arena | 3,500 | Coyer Field | 3,000 | Buffalo State Ice Arena | 1,800 |
| Cortland | Whitney T. Corey Gymnasium | 3,500 | SUNY Cortland Stadium Complex | 6,500 | Alumni Arena | 2,500 |
| Fredonia | Steele Hall Fieldhouse | 3,300 | Non-Football School | N/A | Steele Hall Ice Arena | 1,100 |
| New Paltz | Hawk Center | 1,800 | Non-Football School | N/A | Non-Ice Hockey School | N/A |
| Oneonta | Dewar Arena | 4,000 | Non-Football School | N/A | Non-Ice Hockey School | N/A |
| Oswego | Max Ziel Gymnasium | 3,500 | Non-Football School | N/A | Campus Center Ice Arena | 2,500 |
| Plattsburgh | Memorial Hall | 1,000 | Non-Football School | N/A | Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena | 1,924 |
| Potsdam | Jerry Welsh Gymnasium | 3,600 | Non-Football School | N/A | Maxcy Ice Arena | 2,500 |
Sports
The SUNYAC sponsors intercollegiate athletic competition in the following sports:
| Sport | Men's | Women's |
|---|---|---|
| Baseball | ||
| Basketball | ||
| Cross Country | ||
| Field Hockey | ||
| Ice Hockey | ||
| Lacrosse | ||
| Soccer | ||
| Softball | ||
| Swimming & Diving | ||
| Tennis | ||
| Track & Field (Indoor) | ||
| Track & Field (Outdoor) | ||
| Volleyball | ||
| Wrestling |
Men's sponsored sports by school
| School | Baseball | Basketball | Cross Country | Ice Hockey | Lacrosse | Soccer | Swimming & Diving | Track & Field (Indoor) | Track & Field (Outdoor) | Wrestling | Total SUNYAC Sports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo State | 6 | ||||||||||
| Canton | 6 | ||||||||||
| Cortland | 10 | ||||||||||
| Fredonia | 8 | ||||||||||
| Morrisville | 7 | ||||||||||
| New Paltz | 6 | ||||||||||
| Oneonta | 9 | ||||||||||
| Oswego | 10 | ||||||||||
| Plattsburgh | 8 | ||||||||||
| Potsdam | 8 | ||||||||||
| Totals | 7 | 10 | 10 | 8+2 | 8 | 10 | 6+4 | 8+4 | 8+3 | 3+2 | 79+15 |
- Swimming only
- Affiliate members Hobart and Skidmore
- Affiliate Members Alfred State, Penn State Altoona, Penn State Behrend and Pittsburgh–Bradford
- Affiliate members Alfred State, Hilbert, SUNY Cobleskill and SUNY Delhi.
- Affiliate members Alfred State, Hilbert and SUNY Cobleskill.
- Affiliate members Ithaca and RIT
Men's varsity sports not sponsored by the SUNYAC
| School | Equestrian | Football | Golf | Tennis | Volleyball |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo State | No | Liberty League | No | No | AMCC |
| Canton | No | No | Empire 8 | No | No |
| Cortland | No | Empire 8 | No | No | No |
| Morrisville | IHSA | Empire 8 | No | No | No |
| New Paltz | No | No | No | No | UVC |
| Oneonta | No | No | No | WIAC | No |
| Oswego | No | No | Empire 8 | Empire 8 | No |
| Potsdam | No | No | No | No | NEVC |
Women's sponsored sports by school
| School | Basketball | Cross Country | Field Hockey | Ice Hockey | Lacrosse | Soccer | Softball | Swimming & Diving | Tennis | Track & Field (Indoor) | Track & Field (Outdoor) | Volleyball | Total SUNYAC Sports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo State | 9 | ||||||||||||
| Canton | 7 | ||||||||||||
| Cortland | 12 | ||||||||||||
| Fredonia | 10 | ||||||||||||
| Morrisville | 10 | ||||||||||||
| New Paltz | 9 | ||||||||||||
| Oneonta | 11 | ||||||||||||
| Oswego | 12 | ||||||||||||
| Plattsburgh | 10 | ||||||||||||
| Potsdam | 10 | ||||||||||||
| Totals | 10 | 10 | 5 | 7+1 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 6+4 | 6 | 8+4 | 8+3 | 10 | 100+12 |
- Co-Ed
- Swimming only
- Affiliate member William Smith
- Affiliate Members Alfred State, Penn State Altoona, Penn State Behrend and Pittsburgh–Bradford
- Affiliate members Alfred State, Hilbert, SUNY Cobleskill and SUNY Delhi.
- Affiliate members Alfred State, Hilbert and SUNY Cobleskill.
Women's varsity sports not sponsored by the SUNYAC
| School | Acrobatics & Tumbling | Equestrian | Golf | Gymnastics | Wrestling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo State | Yes | No | No | No | IND |
| Canton | No | No | NWGC | No | No |
| Cortland | No | No | NWGC | NCGA | No |
| Morrisville | No | IHSA | No | No | No |
See also
- Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
- Mid Hudson Conference
- Yankee Small College Conference
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