Landmark Conference Ready To Begin Competition

MADISON, N.J. - More than 18 months after its formation, the Landmark Conference will begin competition in the coming months. The eight-member Division III conference will have official competition and will crown champions beginning in the Fall of 2007.

A men's soccer match between the University of Scranton and the United States Merchant Marine Academy on Sept. 15 will mark the first official conference contest within the Landmark.

The formation of the Landmark Conference was officially announced on December 13, 2005. The institutions in the Landmark are The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.; Drew University, Madison, N.J.; Goucher College, Baltimore, Md.; Juniata College, Huntingdon, Pa.; Moravian College, Bethlehem, Pa.; The University of Scranton, Scranton, Pa.; Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pa.; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, King's Point, N.Y.

In a joint statement, presidents of the above institutions outlined the purpose and character of the new conference: "In forming an affiliation with this new conference, we have affirmed a shared focus on institutional excellence that emphasizes our academic mission and a belief that athletics competition is an important component of the undergraduate experience."

In addition to athletics competition, members of the new conference will explore ways to develop and expand curricular and co-curricular relationships among their institutions.

Presidents of the eight member institutions indicated that work had begun on a full range of organizational activities related to the formation of a new conference, including the articulation of conference philosophy, drafting and adoption of governing by-laws, petition for NCAA recognition, staffing and organization of conference offices, and establishment of operating and financial procedures.

The Landmark Conference will crown champions in field hockey, soccer, cross-country and women's volleyball during the Fall 2007 season.