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==History==
==History==


The [[Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education]] organized the conference in 1951 to promote competition in men's sports amongst the system's 14 universities. In 1977, following growing interest, the conference was expanded to offer competition in women's sports. Then in 1980, in order to promote increased competition, the entire conference was reclassified as [[NCAA Division II|Division II]] within the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]].<ref name=overview>{{cite web |url=http://psacsports.org/sports/2009/6/29/overview.aspx?|title = PSAC Overview |accessdate = September 10, 2010 |publisher = PSAC}}</ref>
The [[Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education]] organized the conference in 1951 to promote competition in men's sports amongst the system's 14 universities. In 1977, following growing interest, the conference was expanded to offer competition in women's sports. From its inception, each conference member selected its own competitive division within the NCAA (I, II, or III). In 1980, however, the presidents voted to reclassify the entire conference to [[NCAA Division II|Division II]] within the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]].<ref name=overview>{{cite web|url=http://psacsports.org/sports/2009/6/29/overview.aspx?|title=PSAC Overview|accessdate=September 10, 2010|publisher=PSAC}}</ref>


Membership remained unchanged until the conference announced on June 18, 2007, that it had invited three private universities—[[Gannon University]] and [[Mercyhurst University|Mercyhurst College]] in [[Erie, Pennsylvania]] and [[LIU Post|C.W. Post]] of [[Brookville, New York]]—to join the conference.<ref name ="postgazette">{{cite news |url = http://www.vindy.com/news/2007/jun/19/psac-invites-gannon-mercyhurst-to-be-full-members/ |title = PSAC invites, Gannon, Mercyhurst to be full members |date=June 19, 2007 |accessdate = September 10, 2010 |publisher = [[The Vindicator]]}}</ref> Gannon and Mercyhurst left the [[Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference]] to join the PSAC, effective July 1, 2008.<ref name="accept">{{cite web|url=http://www.psacsports.org/news/200607/6_27GandM.html |title=PSAC adds Gannon University and Mercyhurst College to Membership |date=June 27, 2007 |publisher=PSAC |accessdate=September 10, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20071026063925/http://www.psacsports.org:80/news/200607/6_27GandM.html |archivedate=October 26, 2007 }}</ref> C.W. Post became an associate member for football and field hockey.<ref name="trib">{{ cite web | url = http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/s_514932.html | title = PSAC admits C.W. Post as associate members in two sports | date =June 28, 2007| publisher = [[Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]] |accessdate=September 10, 2010}}</ref>
Membership remained unchanged until the conference announced on June 18, 2007, that it had invited three private universities — [[Gannon University]] and [[Mercyhurst University|Mercyhurst College]] in [[Erie, Pennsylvania]] and [[LIU Post|C.W. Post]] of [[Brookville, New York]] — to join the conference.<ref name="postgazette">{{cite news|url=http://www.vindy.com/news/2007/jun/19/psac-invites-gannon-mercyhurst-to-be-full-members/|title=PSAC invites, Gannon, Mercyhurst to be full members|date=June 19, 2007|accessdate=September 10, 2010|publisher=[[The Vindicator]]}}</ref> Gannon and Mercyhurst left the [[Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference]] to join the PSAC, effective July 1, 2008.<ref name="accept">{{cite web|url=http://www.psacsports.org/news/200607/6_27GandM.html|title=PSAC adds Gannon University and Mercyhurst College to Membership|date=June 27, 2007|publisher=PSAC|accessdate=September 10, 2010|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20071026063925/http://www.psacsports.org:80/news/200607/6_27GandM.html|archivedate=October 26, 2007}}</ref> C.W. Post became an associate member for football and field hockey.<ref name="trib">{{cite web|url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/s_514932.html|title=PSAC admits C.W. Post as associate members in two sports|date=June 28, 2007|publisher= [[Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]]|accessdate=September 10, 2010}}</ref>


In 2010, [[Seton Hill University]] was accepted to join the conference as an associate member for field hockey. With the additional transition of West Chester's program from Division I to Division II, the number of teams competing in field hockey increased from 10 to 12 for the 2011 season.<ref name="psacsports.org">http://psacsports.org/news/2010/10/26/FHOCK_1026104026.aspx</ref>
In 2010, [[Seton Hill University]] was accepted to join the conference as an associate member for field hockey. With the additional transition of West Chester's program from Division I to Division II, the number of teams competing in field hockey increased from 10 to 12 for the 2011 season.<ref name="psacsports.org">http://psacsports.org/news/2010/10/26/FHOCK_1026104026.aspx</ref>


On August 19, 2012, the PSAC announced that Seton Hill and the [[University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown]], formerly members of the [[West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference]] (WVIAC), would become full members beginning with the 2013–14 school year. This announcement was fallout from a [[West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference#WVIAC breakup|split in the WVIAC]] that ultimately led to the formation of the [[Mountain East Conference]] (MEC). Although Seton Hill was one of the schools that initially broke away from the WVIAC, it chose not to join the MEC.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news-register.net/page/content.detail/id/573196/Cards--Toppers-Set-To-Jump-Into-New-League.html?nav=523 |title=Cards, Toppers Set To Jump Into New League |first=Shawn |last=Rine |newspaper=[[The Intelligencer & Wheeling News Register]] |location=[[Wheeling, West Virginia|Wheeling, WV]] |date=August 20, 2012 |accessdate=August 21, 2012}}</ref> The arrival of these two schools brought the PSAC to 18 full members, making it the largest NCAA all-sports conference in terms of membership.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.psacsports.org/news/2012/8/19/GEN_0819125935.aspx |title=University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Seton Hill University to Join PSAC |publisher=Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference |date=August 19, 2012 |accessdate=August 21, 2012}}</ref>
On August 19, 2012, the PSAC announced that Seton Hill and the [[University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown]], formerly members of the [[West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference]] (WVIAC), would become full members beginning with the 2013–14 school year. This announcement was fallout from a [[West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference#WVIAC breakup|split in the WVIAC]] that ultimately led to the formation of the [[Mountain East Conference]] (MEC). Although Seton Hill was one of the schools that initially broke away from the WVIAC, it chose not to join the MEC.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news-register.net/page/content.detail/id/573196/Cards--Toppers-Set-To-Jump-Into-New-League.html?nav=523|title=Cards, Toppers Set To Jump Into New League|first=Shawn|last=Rine|newspaper=[[The Intelligencer & Wheeling News Register]]|location=[Wheeling, West Virginia|Wheeling, WV]]|date=August 20, 2012|accessdate=August 21, 2012}}</ref> The arrival of these two schools brought the PSAC to 18 full members, making it the largest NCAA all-sports conference in terms of membership.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.psacsports.org/news/2012/8/19/GEN_0819125935.aspx|title=University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Seton Hill University to Join PSAC|publisher=Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference|date=August 19, 2012|accessdate=August 21, 2012}}</ref>


=== Role in Division I realignment ===
===Role in Division I realignment===
The PSAC played a little-known but nonetheless significant role in the history of [[NCAA Division I]] [[NCAA Division I conference realignment|conference realignment]]. In 1986, the conference was seeking a way out of a football scheduling conundrum. The PSAC had 14 members at the time, and had been split into divisions for decades. One of the methods it historically used to determine a football champion involved a championship game between the winners of its two divisions. However, due to NCAA limits on regular-season games, every PSAC team had to leave a schedule spot open, with only the two division winners getting to play all of their allowed regular-season games. Then-conference commissioner Tod Eberle asked Dick Yoder, then athletic director at West Chester and member of the Division II council, to draft NCAA legislation that would allow the PSAC to play a conference title game that would be exempt from regular-season limits. The initial draft required that a qualifying league have 14 members and play a round-robin schedule within each division; only the PSAC then qualified.<ref name=Staples>{{cite web|url=http://www.si.com/college-football/2014/05/16/conference-championship-games-rule-origin |title=Should NCAA alter title game requirements? Look at the rule's origin |first=Andy |last=Staples |publisher=''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' |date=May 16, 2014 |accessdate=January 5, 2016}}</ref>
The PSAC played a little-known but nonetheless significant role in the history of [[NCAA Division I]] [[NCAA Division I conference realignment|conference realignment]]. In 1986, the conference was seeking a way out of a football scheduling conundrum. The PSAC had 14 members at the time, and had been split into divisions for decades. One of the methods it historically used to determine a football champion involved a championship game between the winners of its two divisions. However, due to NCAA limits on regular-season games, every PSAC team had to leave a schedule spot open, with only the two division winners getting to play all of their allowed regular-season games. Then-conference commissioner Tod Eberle asked Dick Yoder, then athletic director at West Chester and member of the Division II council, to draft NCAA legislation that would allow the PSAC to play a conference title game that would be exempt from regular-season limits. The initial draft required that a qualifying league have 14 members and play a round-robin schedule within each division; only the PSAC then qualified.<ref name=Staples>{{cite web|url=http://www.si.com/college-football/2014/05/16/conference-championship-games-rule-origin|title=Should NCAA alter title game requirements? Look at the rule's origin|first=Andy|last=Staples|publisher=''[[Sports Illustrated]]''|date=May 16, 2014|accessdate=January 5, 2016}}</ref>


Before Yoder formally introduced the proposal, he was approached by the [[Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association]], which was interested in co-sponsoring the legislation because it was also split into football divisions and wanted the option of a championship game. Since the CIAA then had 12 members, Yoder changed the legislation to require 12 members instead of 14. The proposal passed with little notice; it was generally seen as a non-issue by [[NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision|Division I-A (now FBS)]] schools since no conference in that group then had more than 10 members. While the PSAC planned to stage its first exempt title game in 1988, it decided against doing so at that time because the D-II playoffs expanded from 8 to 16&nbsp;teams that season, and it feared that the result of a title game could cost the league a playoff berth. The new NCAA rule would not see its first use until the [[Southeastern Conference]] took advantage of it by expanding to 12 members in 1991 and launching [[SEC Championship Game|a title game]] the following year. In 2014, ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' writer Andy Staples said that the rule "helped dictate the terms of conference realignment for more than 20 years."<ref name=Staples/>
Before Yoder formally introduced the proposal, he was approached by the [[Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association]], which was interested in co-sponsoring the legislation because it was also split into football divisions and wanted the option of a championship game. Since the CIAA then had 12 members, Yoder changed the legislation to require 12 members instead of 14. The proposal passed with little notice; it was generally seen as a non-issue by [[NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision|Division I-A (now FBS)]] schools since no conference in that group then had more than 10 members. While the PSAC planned to stage its first exempt title game in 1988, it decided against doing so at that time because the D-II playoffs expanded from 8 to 16 teams that season, and it feared that the result of a title game could cost the league a playoff berth. The new NCAA rule would not see its first use until the [[Southeastern Conference]] took advantage of it by expanding to 12 members in 1991 and launching [[SEC Championship Game|a title game]] the following year. In 2014, ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' writer Andy Staples said that the rule "helped dictate the terms of conference realignment for more than 20 years."<ref name=Staples/>


==Member schools==
==Member schools==
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==Sports==
==Sports==


From its inception, each conference member selected its own competitive division within the NCAA (I, II, or III). In 1980, however, the presidents voted to reclassify the entire conference to Division II. The PSAC offers championships in the following sports:<ref name=psac>{{cite web |url=http://psacsports.org/ |title=Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference |accessdate=September 22, 2009}}</ref>
In wrestling; Bloomsburg, Clarion, Edinboro, and Lock Haven compete as members of the Division I [[Eastern Wrestling League]]. The PSAC holds an annual championship open to all Division I and Division II teams. The PSAC offers championships in the following sports.<ref name=psac>{{cite web|url=http://psacsports.org/|title=Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference|accessdate=September 22, 2009}}</ref>

Although all institutions are members of NCAA Division II, some have elected to compete at the Division I level in select sports. Lock Haven elects to compete in field hockey at the Division I level as an associate member of the [[Atlantic 10 Conference]] since 2010. The team previously competed in Division I as a member of the [[Northeast Conference]] from 2004 to 2009, winning four consecutive championships in each year eligible for post-season competition.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.atlantic10.com/sports/w-fieldh/spec-rel/121609aaa.html |title=A-10 Extends Affiliate Membership to Lock Haven University |publisher=Atlantic 10 Conference |date=December 16, 2009 |accessdate=May 12, 2013}}</ref> In wrestling, Bloomsburg, Clarion, Edinboro, and Lock Haven compete as members of the Division I [[Eastern Wrestling League]]. The PSAC also holds an annual championship open to all Division I and Division II teams.

Some member schools field NCAA teams in sports not offered by the PSAC. Kutztown competes as an affiliate for women's [[Ten-pin bowling|bowling]] in the Division I [[Northeast Conference]]. Mercyhurst competes in NCAA women's [[College rowing (United States)|rowing]], is a member of the [[Eastern College Athletic Conference]] (ECAC) for men's lacrosse, [[College Hockey America]] for women's [[ice hockey]], [[Atlantic Hockey]] for men's ice hockey. West Chester competes in the ECAC for women's gymnastics.


{| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; text-align:center"
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===Football===
===Football===
* [[Jason Capizzi]], Indiana, former [[Pittsburgh Panthers football|Pittsburgh Panthers]] offensive tackle, current [[United Football League (2009–12)|UFL]] tackle
*[[Jason Capizzi]], Indiana, former [[Pittsburgh Panthers football|Pittsburgh Panthers]] offensive tackle, current [[United Football League (2009–12)|UFL]] tackle
* [[Curt Cignetti]], Indiana, former [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|University of Alabama]] recruiting coordinator, current Indiana (Pa.) head coach
*[[Curt Cignetti]], Indiana, former [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|University of Alabama]] recruiting coordinator, current Indiana (Pa.) head coach
* [[Frank Cignetti, Jr.]], Indiana, former [[Pittsburgh Panthers football|University of Pittsburgh]] offensive coordinator
*[[Frank Cignetti, Jr.]], Indiana, former [[Pittsburgh Panthers football|University of Pittsburgh]] offensive coordinator
* [[Frank Cignetti, Sr.]], Indiana, former IUP and [[West Virginia Mountaineers football|West Virginia University]] head coach, 1991 Division II Coach of the Year
*[[Frank Cignetti, Sr.]], Indiana, former IUP and [[West Virginia Mountaineers football|West Virginia University]] head coach, 1991 Division II Coach of the Year
* [[Rob Davis (American football)|Rob Davis]], Shippensburg, former NFL [[long snapper]], current director of player development for the [[Green Bay Packers]]
*[[Rob Davis (American football)|Rob Davis]], Shippensburg, former NFL [[long snapper]], current director of player development for the [[Green Bay Packers]]
* [[Doug Dennison]], Kutztown, former NFL running back
*[[Doug Dennison]], Kutztown, former NFL running back
* [[Jahri Evans]], Bloomsburg, offensive guard for the [[New Orleans Saints]]
*[[Jahri Evans]], Bloomsburg, offensive guard for the [[New Orleans Saints]]
* [[Lawson Fiscus]], Indiana, early professional football player
*[[Lawson Fiscus]], Indiana, early professional football player
* [[David Green (Canadian football)|David Green]], Edinboro, former [[Canadian Football League|CFL]] running back, 1979 [[CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award|CFL's Most Outstanding Player]]
*[[David Green (Canadian football)|David Green]], Edinboro, former [[Canadian Football League|CFL]] running back, 1979 [[CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award|CFL's Most Outstanding Player]]
* [[Kris Griffin]], Indiana, former NFL linebacker
*[[Kris Griffin]], Indiana, former NFL linebacker
* [[Jim Haslett]], Indiana, former linebacker for the [[Buffalo Bills]] and [[New York Jets]] and head coach for the [[New Orleans Saints]] and [[St. Louis Rams]]
*[[Jim Haslett]], Indiana, former linebacker for the [[Buffalo Bills]] and [[New York Jets]] and head coach for the [[New Orleans Saints]] and [[St. Louis Rams]]
* [[Jack Henry (American football)|Jack Henry]], Indiana, former NFL assistant coach
*[[Jack Henry (American football)|Jack Henry]], Indiana, former NFL assistant coach
* [[Greg Hopkins]], Slippery Rock, former [[Arena Football League (1987–2008)|Arena Football League]] player
*[[Greg Hopkins]], Slippery Rock, former [[Arena Football League (1987–2008)|Arena Football League]] player
* [[Kevin Ingram]], West Chester, wide receiver/defensive back for the [[Los Angeles Avengers]]
*[[Kevin Ingram]], West Chester, wide receiver/defensive back for the [[Los Angeles Avengers]]
* [[Mike Jemison]], Indiana, former NFL and [[NFL Europe]] running back
*[[Mike Jemison]], Indiana, former NFL and [[NFL Europe]] running back
* [[Leander Jordan]], Indiana, former NFL offensive tackle
*[[Leander Jordan]], Indiana, former NFL offensive tackle
* [[Matt Kinsinger]], Slippery Rock, fullback/linebacker for the [[Chicago Rush]]
*[[Matt Kinsinger]], Slippery Rock, fullback/linebacker for the [[Chicago Rush]]
* [[John Kuhn]], Shippensburg, running back for the [[Green Bay Packers]]
*[[John Kuhn]], Shippensburg, running back for the [[Green Bay Packers]]
* [[Chuck Klausing]], Indiana, [[College Football Hall of Fame]], 1998 Class
*[[Chuck Klausing]], Indiana, [[College Football Hall of Fame]], 1998 Class
* [[Bob Ligashesky]] Indiana, [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] special teams coach
*[[Bob Ligashesky]] Indiana, [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] special teams coach
* [[LeRon McCoy]], Indiana, former NFL wide receiver
*[[LeRon McCoy]], Indiana, former NFL wide receiver
* [[Dewey McDonald]], California, safety for the [[Indianapolis Colts]]
*[[Dewey McDonald]], California, safety for the [[Indianapolis Colts]]
* [[John Mobley]], Kutztown, former linebacker for the [[Denver Broncos]]
*[[John Mobley]], Kutztown, former linebacker for the [[Denver Broncos]]
* [[Kevin O'Dea]], Lock Haven, current [[New York Jets]] special teams coordinator
*[[Kevin O'Dea]], Lock Haven, current [[New York Jets]] special teams coordinator
* [[Akwasi Owusu-Ansah]], Indiana, current [[Dallas Cowboys]] wide receiver
*[[Akwasi Owusu-Ansah]], Indiana, current [[Dallas Cowboys]] wide receiver
* [[Ken Parrish]], East Stroudsburg, former NFL punter
*[[Ken Parrish]], East Stroudsburg, former NFL punter
* [[Dan Radakovich]], Indiana, [[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football|Georgia Tech]] [[athletic director]]
*[[Dan Radakovich]], Indiana, [[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football|Georgia Tech]] [[athletic director]]
* [[Andre Reed]], Kutztown, former NFL wide receiver
*[[Andre Reed]], Kutztown, former NFL wide receiver
* [[Robb Riddick]], Millersville, former running back for the [[Buffalo Bills]]
*[[Robb Riddick]], Millersville, former running back for the [[Buffalo Bills]]
* [[Tobias Robinson]], Indiana, running back for the [[Colorado Ice]]
*[[Tobias Robinson]], Indiana, running back for the [[Colorado Ice]]
* [[Sean Scott (American football)|Sean Scott]], Millersville, wide receiver/linebacker for the [[Philadelphia Soul]]
*[[Sean Scott (American football)|Sean Scott]], Millersville, wide receiver/linebacker for the [[Philadelphia Soul]]
* [[Joe Senser]], West Chester, former tight end for the [[Minnesota Vikings]]
*[[Joe Senser]], West Chester, former tight end for the [[Minnesota Vikings]]
* [[Ralph Tamm]], West Chester, former NFL offensive guard
*[[Ralph Tamm]], West Chester, former NFL offensive guard
* [[Jimmy Terwilliger]], East Stroudsburg, quarterback, 2005 [[Harlon Hill Trophy]] winner
*[[Jimmy Terwilliger]], East Stroudsburg, quarterback, 2005 [[Harlon Hill Trophy]] winner
* [[Bob Tucker (American football)|Bob Tucker]], Bloomsburg, former NFL tight end
*[[Bob Tucker (American football)|Bob Tucker]], Bloomsburg, former NFL tight end
* [[Chris Villarrial]], Indiana, former NFL offensive guard
*[[Chris Villarrial]], Indiana, former NFL offensive guard
* [[Andre Waters]], Cheyney, former NFL defensive back
*[[Andre Waters]], Cheyney, former NFL defensive back
* [[Reggie Wells]], Clarion, current NFL free agent, drafted as an offensive tackle for the [[Arizona Cardinals]]
*[[Reggie Wells]], Clarion, current NFL free agent, drafted as an offensive tackle for the [[Arizona Cardinals]]
* [[James O. Williams|James Williams]], Cheyney, former offensive tackle for the [[Chicago Bears]]
*[[James O. Williams|James Williams]], Cheyney, former offensive tackle for the [[Chicago Bears]]
* [[Scott Highley]], Millersville, running back for the [[Raleigh–Durham Skyhawks]]
*[[Scott Highley]], Millersville, running back for the [[Raleigh–Durham Skyhawks]]
* [[Lee Woodall]], West Chester, former NFL linebacker
*[[Lee Woodall]], West Chester, former NFL linebacker
* [[Tommy Campbell (quarterback)|Tommy Campbell]], California, [[Tennessee Titans]] cornerback
*[[Tommy Campbell (quarterback)|Tommy Campbell]], California, [[Tennessee Titans]] cornerback
* [[Josh Portis]], California, [[Seattle Seahawks]] quarterback
*[[Josh Portis]], California, [[Seattle Seahawks]] quarterback
* [[Dominique Curry]], California, [[St. Louis Rams]] wide receiver
*[[Dominique Curry]], California, [[St. Louis Rams]] wide receiver
* [[Terrence Johnson]], California, [[Indianapolis Colts]] cornerback
*[[Terrence Johnson]], California, [[Indianapolis Colts]] cornerback
* [[Derrick Jones]], California, [[Oakland Raiders]] wide receiver
*[[Derrick Jones]], California, [[Oakland Raiders]] wide receiver
* [[Gene Carpenter]], Millersville, former head coach of Millersville
*[[Gene Carpenter]], Millersville, former head coach of Millersville
* [[Brent Grimes]], Shippensburg, cornerback for the [[Atlanta Falcons]]
*[[Brent Grimes]], Shippensburg, cornerback for the [[Atlanta Falcons]]
* [[James Franklin (American football coach)|James Franklin]], East Stroudsburg, head coach for the [[Penn State Nittany Lions football|Pennsylvania State University]]
*[[James Franklin (American football coach)|James Franklin]], East Stroudsburg, head coach for the [[Penn State Nittany Lions football|Pennsylvania State University]]


===Baseball===
===Baseball===
* [[Tim Bausher]], Kutztown, [[minor league baseball|minor league]] pitcher
*[[Tim Bausher]], Kutztown, [[minor league baseball|minor league]] pitcher
* [[Tom Brookens]], Mansfield, former [[Major League Baseball|MLB]] third baseman
*[[Tom Brookens]], Mansfield, former [[Major League Baseball|MLB]] third baseman
* [[Mark Corey]], Edinboro, former MLB pitcher
*[[Mark Corey]], Edinboro, former MLB pitcher
* Frank Gailey, West Chester, minor league pitcher
*Frank Gailey, West Chester, minor league pitcher
* [[Ryan Vogelsong]], Kutztown, MLB pitcher
*[[Ryan Vogelsong]], Kutztown, MLB pitcher
* [[Pete Vukovich]], Clarion, MLB Pitcher, Cy Young Winner-Brewers
*[[Pete Vukovich]], Clarion, MLB Pitcher, Cy Young Winner-Brewers
* [[Matt Adams]], Slippery Rock, First Baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals in the MLB.
*[[Matt Adams]], Slippery Rock, First Baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals in the MLB.
* [[Pat Kelly (infielder)|Pat Kelly]], West Chester, former MLB infielder, New York Yankees
*[[Pat Kelly (infielder)|Pat Kelly]], West Chester, former MLB infielder, New York Yankees
[[File:C Vivian Stringer.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Vivian Stringer]]
[[File:Kurt Angle 2005-08-21.jpg|thumb|150px|Kurt Angle]]


===Basketball===
===Basketball===
*[[Geno Auriemma]], West Chester, women's head coach at [[Connecticut Huskies women's basketball|Connecticut]]; member of the [[List of coaches in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame|Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]] and [[Women's Basketball Hall of Fame]]
[[File:C Vivian Stringer.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Vivian Stringer]]
*[[Del Beshore]], California, former [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] point guard
[[File:Kurt Angle 2005-08-21.jpg|Kurt Angle|thumb|150px]]
*[[Stephen Dennis]], Kutztown, Division II Player of the Year and professional player
* [[Geno Auriemma]], West Chester, women's head coach at [[Connecticut Huskies women's basketball|Connecticut]]; member of the [[List of coaches in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame|Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]] and [[Women's Basketball Hall of Fame]]
*[[John Calipari]], Clarion, [[Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball|Kentucky]] men's head coach, 1996 and 2008 [[Naismith College Coach of the Year]], member of the Naismith Hall of Fame
* [[Del Beshore]], California, former [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] point guard
*[[Mel Hankinson]], Indiana, former college basketball coach including [[Liberty Flames|Liberty]]
* [[Stephen Dennis]], Kutztown, Division II Player of the Year and professional player
*[[Jodi Kest]], Slippery Rock, [[Akron Zips|Akron]] women's basketball head coach
* [[John Calipari]], Clarion, [[Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball|Kentucky]] men's head coach, 1996 and 2008 [[Naismith College Coach of the Year]], member of the Naismith Hall of Fame
*[[C. Vivian Stringer]], Slippery Rock, women's head coach at [[Rutgers Scarlet Knights women's basketball|Rutgers]]; member of the Naismith and Women's Halls of Fame
* [[Mel Hankinson]], Indiana, former college basketball coach including [[Liberty Flames|Liberty]]
* [[Jodi Kest]], Slippery Rock, [[Akron Zips|Akron]] women's basketball head coach
* [[C. Vivian Stringer]], Slippery Rock, women's head coach at [[Rutgers Scarlet Knights women's basketball|Rutgers]]; member of the Naismith and Women's Halls of Fame


===Soccer===
===Soccer===
* [[Nicholas Addlery]], California, forward currently for the [[Puerto Rico Islanders]] and the [[Jamaica national football team|Jamaican national team]]
*[[Nicholas Addlery]], California, forward currently for the [[Puerto Rico Islanders]] and the [[Jamaica national football team|Jamaican national team]]
* [[Raymond Bernabei]], Indiana, [[National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association]] and [[National Soccer Hall of Fame]]
*[[Raymond Bernabei]], Indiana, [[National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association]] and [[National Soccer Hall of Fame]]
* [[Jay Hoffman (soccer)|Jay Hoffman]], East Stroudsburg, head coach of the 1999 U.S. women's [[Pan American Games]] gold medal team, and assistant coach of the 1999 U.S. [[FIFA Women's World Cup]] gold medal team
*[[Jay Hoffman (soccer)|Jay Hoffman]], East Stroudsburg, head coach of the 1999 U.S. women's [[Pan American Games]] gold medal team, and assistant coach of the 1999 U.S. [[FIFA Women's World Cup]] gold medal team
* [[Pedro Power]], Slippery Rock, former midfielder for the [[Fort Lauderdale Strikers|Miami F.C.]]
*[[Pedro Power]], Slippery Rock, former midfielder for the [[Fort Lauderdale Strikers|Miami F.C.]]
* [[Bob Rigby]], East Stroudsburg, former goalkeeper in the [[North American Soccer League (1968–1984)|North American Soccer League]] and the [[United States men's national soccer team|U.S. national team]]
*[[Bob Rigby]], East Stroudsburg, former goalkeeper in the [[North American Soccer League (1968–1984)|North American Soccer League]] and the [[United States men's national soccer team|U.S. national team]]


===Olympians===
===Olympians===
* [[Kurt Angle]], Clarion, [[1996 Summer Olympics]] wrestling gold medalist
*[[Kurt Angle]], Clarion, [[1996 Summer Olympics]] wrestling gold medalist
* [[Steve Spence]], Shippensburg, former Olympic long-distance runner
*[[Steve Spence]], Shippensburg, former Olympic long-distance runner
* [[Cary Kolat]], Lock Haven, [[2000 Summer Olympics]] Freestyle Wrestling - 9th
*[[Cary Kolat]], Lock Haven, [[2000 Summer Olympics]] Freestyle Wrestling - 9th


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 10:40, 5 January 2016

Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
File:Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference logo.png
AssociationNCAA
CommissionerSteve Murray (since 1998)
Sports fielded
  • 23
    • men's: 11
    • women's: 12
DivisionDivision II
RegionPennsylvania
Official websitepsacsports.org
Locations
Location of teams in {{{title}}}

The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) is a collegiate athletic conference that participates in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II level. The conference is currently composed of 18 full-time members within Pennsylvania. The conference headquarters are located in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania and staffed by a commissioner, two assistant commissioners, and a director of media relations.

History

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education organized the conference in 1951 to promote competition in men's sports amongst the system's 14 universities. In 1977, following growing interest, the conference was expanded to offer competition in women's sports. From its inception, each conference member selected its own competitive division within the NCAA (I, II, or III). In 1980, however, the presidents voted to reclassify the entire conference to Division II within the NCAA.[1]

Membership remained unchanged until the conference announced on June 18, 2007, that it had invited three private universities — Gannon University and Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania and C.W. Post of Brookville, New York — to join the conference.[2] Gannon and Mercyhurst left the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference to join the PSAC, effective July 1, 2008.[3] C.W. Post became an associate member for football and field hockey.[4]

In 2010, Seton Hill University was accepted to join the conference as an associate member for field hockey. With the additional transition of West Chester's program from Division I to Division II, the number of teams competing in field hockey increased from 10 to 12 for the 2011 season.[5]

On August 19, 2012, the PSAC announced that Seton Hill and the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown, formerly members of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC), would become full members beginning with the 2013–14 school year. This announcement was fallout from a split in the WVIAC that ultimately led to the formation of the Mountain East Conference (MEC). Although Seton Hill was one of the schools that initially broke away from the WVIAC, it chose not to join the MEC.[6] The arrival of these two schools brought the PSAC to 18 full members, making it the largest NCAA all-sports conference in terms of membership.[7]

Role in Division I realignment

The PSAC played a little-known but nonetheless significant role in the history of NCAA Division I conference realignment. In 1986, the conference was seeking a way out of a football scheduling conundrum. The PSAC had 14 members at the time, and had been split into divisions for decades. One of the methods it historically used to determine a football champion involved a championship game between the winners of its two divisions. However, due to NCAA limits on regular-season games, every PSAC team had to leave a schedule spot open, with only the two division winners getting to play all of their allowed regular-season games. Then-conference commissioner Tod Eberle asked Dick Yoder, then athletic director at West Chester and member of the Division II council, to draft NCAA legislation that would allow the PSAC to play a conference title game that would be exempt from regular-season limits. The initial draft required that a qualifying league have 14 members and play a round-robin schedule within each division; only the PSAC then qualified.[8]

Before Yoder formally introduced the proposal, he was approached by the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, which was interested in co-sponsoring the legislation because it was also split into football divisions and wanted the option of a championship game. Since the CIAA then had 12 members, Yoder changed the legislation to require 12 members instead of 14. The proposal passed with little notice; it was generally seen as a non-issue by Division I-A (now FBS) schools since no conference in that group then had more than 10 members. While the PSAC planned to stage its first exempt title game in 1988, it decided against doing so at that time because the D-II playoffs expanded from 8 to 16 teams that season, and it feared that the result of a title game could cost the league a playoff berth. The new NCAA rule would not see its first use until the Southeastern Conference took advantage of it by expanding to 12 members in 1991 and launching a title game the following year. In 2014, Sports Illustrated writer Andy Staples said that the rule "helped dictate the terms of conference realignment for more than 20 years."[8]

Member schools

A divisional format is used for baseball, basketball (M / W), football, softball, tennis (W), and volleyball.

Current members

Institution Location
(Pennsylvania)
Founded Enrollment Nickname Colors Joined
East Division
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Bloomsburg 1839 9,512 Huskies     1951
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania Cheyney 1837 1,488 Wolves     1951
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania East Stroudsburg 1893 7,576 Warriors     1951
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown 1866 10,634 Golden Bears     1951
Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania Lock Haven 1870 5,329 Bald Eagles     1951
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania Mansfield 1857 3,569 Mountaineers     1951
Millersville University of Pennsylvania Millersville 1855 8,427 Marauders     1951
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Shippensburg 1871 8,253 Red Raiders     1951
West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester 1871 14,211 Golden Rams     1951
West Division
California University of Pennsylvania California 1852 9,017 Vulcans     1951
Clarion University of Pennsylvania Clarion 1867 7,346 Golden Eagles     1951
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Edinboro 1857 8,286 Fighting Scots     1951
Gannon University Erie 1925 4,238 Golden Knights     2008
Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indiana 1875 14,638 Crimson Hawks     1951
Mercyhurst University Erie 1926 3,217 Lakers     2008
University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Johnstown 1927 3,032 Mountain Cats     2013
Seton Hill University Greensburg 1883 2,014 Griffins     2013
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock 1889 8,648 The Rock     1951
  • Pittsburgh–Johnstown — volleyball is a member of the east division.
  • Seton Hill — field hockey was an affiliate member from 2011–2013.

Former affiliate members

Institution Location Founded Nickname Joined Left Sport Primary
Conference
Long Island University–Post Brookville
(New York)
1954 Pioneers 2008 2013 field hockey;
football
East Coast

Membership timeline

 Full member (all sports)   Full member (non-football)   Associate member (football-only)   Associate member (sport) 

Sports

In wrestling; Bloomsburg, Clarion, Edinboro, and Lock Haven compete as members of the Division I Eastern Wrestling League. The PSAC holds an annual championship open to all Division I and Division II teams. The PSAC offers championships in the following sports.[9]

Conference sports
Sport Men's Women's
Baseball Green tickY
Basketball Green tickY Green tickY
Cross Country Green tickY Green tickY
Field Hockey Green tickY
Football Green tickY
Golf Green tickY Green tickY
Lacrosse Green tickY
Soccer Green tickY Green tickY
Softball Green tickY
Swimming & diving Green tickY Green tickY
Tennis Green tickY Green tickY
Track & Field Indoor Green tickY Green tickY
Track & Field Outdoor Green tickY Green tickY
Volleyball Green tickY
Wrestling Green tickY

Men's sponsored sports by school

School Baseball Basketball Cross
Country
Football Golf Soccer Swimming
& Diving
Tennis Track
& Field
Indoor
Track
& Field
Outdoor
Wrestling Total
PSAC
Sports
Bloomsburg Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 9
California Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 8
Cheyney Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 5
Clarion Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 5
East Stroudsburg Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 8
Edinboro Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 6
Gannon Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 8
Indiana Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 8
Kutztown Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 8
Lock Haven Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 7
Mansfield Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 5
Mercyhurst Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 8
Millersville Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 7
Pittsburgh-Johnstown Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 8
Seton Hill Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 8
Shippensburg Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 9
Slippery Rock Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 7
West Chester Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 10
Totals 16 18 16 16 8 12 7 6 13 14 8 134

Women's sponsored sports by school

School Basketball Cross
Country
Field
Hockey
Golf Lacrosse Soccer Softball Swimming
& Diving
Tennis Track
& Field
Indoor
Track
& Field
Outdoor
Volleyball Total
PSAC
Sports
Bloomsburg Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 10
California Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 10
Cheyney Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 6
Clarion Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 10
East Stroudsburg Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 12
Edinboro Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 10
Gannon Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 8
Indiana Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 11
Kutztown Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 12
Lock Haven Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 9
Mansfield Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 8
Mercyhurst Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 9
Millersville Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 12
Pittsburgh-Johnstown Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 7
Seton Hill Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 11
Shippensburg Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 11
Slippery Rock Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 10
West Chester Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 12
Totals 18 18 11 9 13 17 17 13 14 16 16 16 178

Other sponsored sports by school

School Men Women
Ice
Hockey
Lacrosse Water
Polo
Wrestling Bowling Field
Hockey
Gymnastics Ice
Hockey
Rowing Water
Polo
Bloomsburg EWL
Cheyney ECC
Clarion EWL
Edinboro EWL
Gannon CWPA WWPA
Kutztown ECC
Lock Haven EWL A-10
Mercyhurst AHA ECAC CWPA CHA IND WWPA
Seton Hill ECAC
West Chester ECAC

Conference venues

School Football stadium Capacity Basketball arena Capacity Other facilities
Bloomsburg Robert B. Redman Stadium
4,775
Nelson Fieldhouse
3,000
Jan Hutchinson Field
Danny Litwhiler Field
Sports Stadium
California Hepner-Bailey Field at Adamson Stadium
6,500
California University of Pennsylvania Convocation Center
6,000
Consol Energy Park
Phillipsburg Soccer Facility
Lilley Field
Hamer Hall
Cheyney O’Shields-Stevenson Stadium
5,000
Cope Hall
1,500
Clarion Memorial Field
5,000
W.S. Tippin Gymnasium
4,000
East Stroudsburg Eiler-Martin Stadium
6,000
Koehler Fieldhouse
2,000
Whitenight Field
Mitterling Field
Zimbar Field
Edinboro Sox Harrison Stadium
6,000
McComb Fieldhouse
3,500
Zafirovski Sports and Recreation Dome
Gannon Gannon University Field
2,500
Hammermill Center
2,800
Indiana George P. Miller Stadium
6,000
Ed Fry Arena
5,000
Dougherty Field
Podbielski Field
Memorial Field House
South Campus Field
Kutztown University Field at Andre Reed Stadium
5,600
Keystone Field House
3,400
O'Pake Field House
Keystone Field
North Campus Field
Lock Haven Hubert Jack Stadium
3,500
Thomas Fieldhouse
2,500
Foundation Field
Lawrence Field
Charlotte Smith Field
Zimmerli Gymnasium
Mansfield
non-football school
Decker Gymnasium
2,000
Lutes Field
Spaulding Field
Shaute Field
Soccer Field
Mercyhurst Louis J. Tullio Field
2,300
Mercyhurst Athletic Center
1,800
Mercyhurst Ice Center
Mercyhurst Softball Field
Millersville Biemesderfer Stadium
6,500
Pucillo Gymnasium
2,850
Cooper Park
Millersville Softball Field
Pittsburgh-Johnstown
non-football school
Sports Center
2,400
Point Stadium (baseball)
Seton Hill Offutt Field
5,000
Salvitti Gymnasium
1,200
Dick's Sporting Goods Field
Shippensburg Seth Grove Stadium
7,700
Heiges Field House
2,768
Robb Sports Complex
Robb Field
David See Field
Slippery Rock N. Kerr Thompson Stadium
10,000
Morrow Field House
3,000
Egli Soccer Field
Critchfield Park
West Chester John A. Farrell Stadium
7,500
Hollinger Field House
2,500
Vonnie Gros Field
Serpico Stadium

Notable alumni

The following is a list of alumni of the respective universities, including before the formation of the Conference in 1951.

Football

Baseball

Vivian Stringer
Kurt Angle

Basketball

Soccer

Olympians

See also

References

  1. ^ "PSAC Overview". PSAC. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  2. ^ "PSAC invites, Gannon, Mercyhurst to be full members". The Vindicator. June 19, 2007. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  3. ^ "PSAC adds Gannon University and Mercyhurst College to Membership". PSAC. June 27, 2007. Archived from the original on October 26, 2007. Retrieved September 10, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ "PSAC admits C.W. Post as associate members in two sports". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. June 28, 2007. Retrieved September 10, 2010.
  5. ^ http://psacsports.org/news/2010/10/26/FHOCK_1026104026.aspx
  6. ^ Rine, Shawn (August 20, 2012). "Cards, Toppers Set To Jump Into New League". The Intelligencer & Wheeling News Register. [Wheeling, West Virginia. Retrieved August 21, 2012. {{cite news}}: Text "Wheeling, WV]]" ignored (help)
  7. ^ "University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Seton Hill University to Join PSAC" (Press release). Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. August 19, 2012. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
  8. ^ a b Staples, Andy (May 16, 2014). "Should NCAA alter title game requirements? Look at the rule's origin". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 5, 2016. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ "Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference". Retrieved September 22, 2009.