Bryant University Joins MAAC as Men's Swimming Associate Member
MAAC Sports
Edison, N.J. - The Metro Atlantic
Athletic Conference Council of Presidents has voted to approve the associate
membership of Bryant University in the sport of men's swimming and diving.
Bryant's membership is effective immediately and will allow them to compete in
the 2013 MAAC Championship.
"The MAAC is pleased to
extend associate membership to Bryant University in the sport of men's
swimming," noted Commissioner Richard J. Ensor. "Bryant University is an
institution that shares the MAAC's commitment to excellence in sports and
academics and the MAAC Council of Presidents unanimously approved accommodating
the men's swimmers in their effort to compete in a conference championship."
"This is an exciting
time for our entire athletic department, particularly for our men's swimming
and diving team," said Bill Smith, Director of Athletics at Bryant. "It is an
honor for our men to be welcomed into a conference so successful and
well-regarded, both athletically and academically, as the MAAC. We look forward
to being a part of everything the MAAC stands for."
Men's swimming became Bryant
University's 22nd varsity sport beginning in 2005-06 and is among the athletic
department's most successful programs. Head coach Katie Cameron has been the
program's only coach and has guided the Bulldogs through the Division I
transition over the past four seasons. During that time, the men have broken
record after record, most notably setting 16 new school marks at the 2012 ECAC
Championships, where the team finished seventh in the 20-team field. In
2012-13, the Bulldogs add diving to the program for the first time in school
history.
"The MAAC is the perfect
conference for us to call home," added head men's swimming and diving coach
Katie Cameron. "To be able to compete for a conference championship is very
exciting for our program. It is going to keep our men more focused throughout
the year and give us something to fight for season after season. The MAAC is a
widely known and respected conference in the world of men's swimming, so this
is a great move for us not only in terms of competition, but recruiting as
well. I am extremely grateful to be a part of this great conference."
Bryant
joins nine current men's swimming members: Canisius College, Fairfield
University, Iona College, Loyola University Maryland, Manhattan College, Marist
College, Niagara University, Rider University, and Saint Peter's University.
The 2013 MAAC Men's and Women's Swimming & Diving
Championships will be held February 14-16 at the Burt Flickinger Center in
Buffalo, N.Y.
About Bryant University
Bryant
University, located in Smithfield, R.I., has a clear focus: preparing students
to be successful in an age of unlimited global opportunity. Our close-knit,
student-centered community offers a supportive learning environment and
challenging academic programs that integrate the liberal arts with business -
with an emphasis on real-world applications and cultivation of a global
perspective. The culture of our community places a high value on innovation and
the qualities of character.