Feb. 23, 2007
FAIRFIELD, Conn. - The Fairfield University field hockey program has accepted an invitation to compete in the America East Conference effective for the 2007 season. The announcement was made by Director of Athletics Eugene P. Doris on Friday.
The Stags make the move to America East after spending the last three seasons as an associate member of the Northeast Conference (NEC). Head Coach Jackie Kane led her program to two NEC tournament appearances, including a spot in the 2004 championship game.
"We are pleased with the opportunity to compete in the America East conference," Doris said. "America East will offer our field hockey program a challenging schedule against competitive programs that share our goals both athletically and academically. We are grateful to the Northeast Conference for having provided our student-athletes with an opportunity to compete against quality institutions for the previous three years."
America East started as a men's basketball conference in 1979, but has evolved into one of the most comprehensive NCAA Division I conferences with a commitment to broad-based, competitive athletics programs, complementing the academic integrity and missions of member institutions. The nine members include the University at Albany, Binghamton University, Boston University, University of Hartford, University of Maine, University of Maryland-Baltimore County, University of New Hampshire, Stony Brook University, and University of Vermont.
"I am very excited to join America East and look forward to adding several of the best field hockey programs in the region to our schedule," Coach Kane said. "I enjoyed working with the coaches in the Northeast Conference and appreciated their support over the last three seasons."
The Fairfield University field hockey program will play its 26th varsity Division I season in 2007. Under Coach Kane, more than 30 student-athletes have earned National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) National Academic honors. The Stags have appeared in one NCAA tournament, earning a berth in 2001 after capturing the Patriot League tournament title. The team played the University of Maryland in the first round of the tournament. The program joined the Patriot League for the 1996 season, and remained a member until joining the Northeast Conference in 2004. The Stags advanced to the Northeast Conference tournament in 2004 and 2005.
