WILKES-BARRE – Wilkes University President Greg Cant has announced that the university will officially join the Landmark Conference in the 2023-24 athletic season.
 
"Joining the Landmark Conference places Wilkes University in the company of institutions that are similar in size, scope and philosophy and that offer research intensive programs from bachelor's through doctoral levels. The Landmark Conference includes schools that span from Pennsylvania to Washington D.C., presenting us with an excellent opportunity to enhance the Wilkes brand in these areas while continuing to attract the highest caliber students to our university," said Cant. "Above all else, the move will provide our student-athletes with exceptional academic and athletic experiences."

Of its 23 NCAA Division III programs, Wilkes will compete in Landmark-sponsored sports in baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, field hockey, football, men's and women's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's swimming, men's and women's tennis and women's volleyball. The Wilkes men's and women's ice hockey teams will continue to be members of the United Collegiate Hockey Conference. Wrestling will continue to participate in regional competition and post-season tournaments to qualify for national championships. During the coming year, making conference arrangements for men's volleyball will be a priority for the university.
 
This marks only the third time that membership in the Landmark Conference has been expanded. Wilkes will be joined by Lycoming College as the ninth and tenth members of the conference. Additional members include Catholic University of America, Washington D.C.; Drew University, Madison, N.J.; Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, Pa.; Goucher College, Baltimore, Md.; Juniata College, Huntingdon, Pa.; Moravian College, Bethlehem, Pa.; Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pa. and the University of Scranton.
 
The introduction of Wilkes to the league concludes a thorough strategic membership process undertaken by the Landmark's executive leadership team that began in February 2020. The conference office, in conjunction with institutional presidents, athletic direct reports and athletic directors explored new affiliations for the conference while considering academic data, institutional resources, varsity sports offerings and geography. After thorough consideration and benchmarking, Wilkes distinguished themselves as ideal candidates to join the Landmark Conference.
 
"This is an exciting time for the Landmark Conference, and I am humbled to lead such a strong group of institutions through this historic change," stated Landmark Conference commissioner, Katie Boldvich. "The additions of Wilkes University and Lycoming College builds on the already strong Landmark brand while also creating new competitive opportunities and strategic goals for the league."
 
The move will also conclude Wilkes membership with the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) including 67 conference championships.
 
"This will conclude our 75-year membership with the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) which has provided thousands of student-athletes with opportunities to enrich their undergraduate careers through regional competition," said Cant. The experiences and memories created through our MAC membership will be forever emblazoned in the lore of Colonel athletics and Wilkes history. We look forward to this new opportunity with incredible gratitude to the MAC and its member institutions and with the goal of continuing regional non-conference competition and collaboration," said Cant.
 
Wilkes will continue to compete as a member of the MAC during the current 2021-22 season and finish its membership with its final year in 2022-23.