ATTLEBORO, Mass. - Babson College officially became an associate member of the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC); it was announced today by Commissioner Del Malloy. Babson, a full member of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC), will sponsor men's golf in the NECC for the 2009-2010 academic year increasing the NECC's membership in men's golf to seven programs.

They will join NECC members Becker College, Daniel Webster College, Elms College, Mitchell College and Newbury College, along with fellow NEWMAC member Springfield College who is also an associate member in men's golf.

"The NECC is proud to welcome Babson College as an associate member in the sport of golf, "stated Commissioner Malloy.  "The Babson College golf program has enjoyed a storied history of success over the past several decades with five NCAA Tournament appearances, and outstanding performances in the New England Intercollegiate Golf Association (NEIGA) Championships."

The New England Collegiate Conference consists of nine full-time members and two associate members and conducts fourteen championships. The NECC started competition in 2008-2009 and will receive automatic bids into the NCAA Tournaments in seven sports during the 2010-2011 academic year. 

About the NECC

Established: May 31, 2007

First Year of Competition: 2008-09 Academic Year

Number of Schools: 9 (8 co-educational, 1 women's only)

Member Institutions: Bay Path College, Becker College, Daniel Webster College, Elms College, Lesley University, Mitchell College, Newbury College, Southern Vermont College, Wheelock College

Championships sponsored: 14 - Baseball, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country, Field Hockey, Men's Golf, Men's Soccer, Women's Soccer, Softball, Men's Tennis, Women's Tennis, Men's Volleyball, and Women's Volleyball.

Mission Statement: The mission of the NECC is to provide for athletic competition among institutions that share similar academic aspirations and are committed to the importance of the total educational experience for students engaged in sports.

The NECC comprises independent institutions whose student bodies are similar in academic achievement and whose missions and curricula are similar in educational growth of its student body. The member institutions share an educational culture that seeks to foster academic excellence.

Intercollegiate athletics programs are an integral part of the life of member institutions and complement their educational objectives. Each institution provides a comprehensive, broad-based athletics program, available to all students. All varsity sports are expected to be treated equitably.

The supervision and oversight of the athletics program is vested in the President of each institution.

The day-to-day operation of the program is conducted by the administrators of athletics. Within an atmosphere of integrity and mutual trust, the member institutions pledge their commitment to the purpose and mission of the NECC.