NEWTOWN, PA -- Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) has announced that Wilkes University and Neumann University have accepted an invitation of associate membership in the MAC for men's and women's ice hockey. Both schools will join the conference beginning in the 2024-25 season which will be the first season of the MAC having an automatic qualifier in men's and women's ice hockey.
 
"We are thrilled to welcome Neumann and Wilkes to the MAC in men's and women's ice hockey," stated MAC Executive Director, Megan Morrison. "Their dedication to sponsoring strong programs and their geographic proximity combine to enhance the MAC's ability to be a strong ice hockey conference."
 
Wilkes is no stranger to the MAC as the institution was a full member until this season. Wilkes won the MAC's 2020 and 2022 men's ice hockey championships.
 
"We are extremely excited to rejoin the MAC in men's and women's ice hockey, a conference we have great history with as a University," said Wilkes Director of Athletics, Scott Musa. "It is a win-win situation for us at Wilkes both in the competitive standpoint and the student-athlete experience as we are familiar with all the schools in the MAC," he added.
 
"Wilkes enjoyed membership with the MAC for 75 years, and we look forward to renewing this relationship with the conference through our men's and women's ice hockey teams," said Wilkes University President, Dr. Greg Cant. "We are grateful for the opportunity to continue enriching our student-athletes' careers through competition as a part of the MAC."
 
Neumann is a constant regular on the schedules of MAC ice hockey teams as they currently also compete in the UCHC. Neumann's and Wilkes' men's and women's ice hockey teams will compete in the UCHC this season before joining the MAC next year.
 
"We are thrilled to be invited to the MAC as an associate member in ice hockey. The MAC has a long history of strong athletic success and a high-quality model for student-athlete development," said Director of Athletics and Recreation, Chuck Sack. "Becoming an associate member of the MAC made perfect sense for us because of the growth in ice hockey within the mid-Atlantic region. We look forward to being a part of MAC ice hockey with excitement and enthusiasm."
 
The additions of Wilkes and Neumann will push both men's and women's ice hockey to eight teams next season. Currently, MAC men's and women's ice hockey is comprised of five full members- Alvernia University, Arcadia University, King's College, Lebanon Valley College, and Stevenson University. Misericordia will begin competition in men's ice hockey in the 2024-25 season and Hood College will begin competition in women's ice hockey next season as well.