Atlantic East Welcomes William Paterson As Men's Golf Affiliate, Effective Spring 2020
LANCASTER, Pa. - Commissioner
Jessica Huntley and the Atlantic East Conference announced another affiliate addition to the league on Wednesday afternoon, welcoming William Paterson University as an affiliate member for men's golf, effective Spring 2020.
"We are excited to welcome William Paterson as an affiliate member in the sport of men's golf," Huntley stated. "This partnership solidifies and advances the sport within the Atlantic East Conference and provides for an enhanced championship experience for our student athletes."
The Pioneers join six Atlantic East programs for the 2020 Championship including: Cabrini University, Immaculata University, Marymount University, Marywood University, Neumann University, and Wesley College. With William Paterson becoming the seventh member, the Atlantic East now begins a two-year clock toward an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship. By the 2022 season, the Atlantic East men's golf champion would earn a spot at the national championship.
William Paterson reinstated its men's golf program in the Spring of 2011, headed by Coach
Brian Woods, who enters his 10th year with the squad. He is also in his 28th season at the helm of the men's soccer program for the Pioneers.
“Our golfers are excited to become members of the Atlantic East Conference," Woods stated. "This affiliation will greatly benefit our program for a number of reasons, including the eventual ability to contend for an NCAA Championships bid."
In nine seasons, they have posted a 27-6-1 dual-match record under Woods. From 2014-2016, the Pioneers competed in the Capital Athletic Conference as an affiliate member before returning to independent status. William Paterson is a full member of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) for its other 12 intercollegiate programs, but the NJAC does not sponsor men's golf as a conference sport.
“I want to thank Atlantic East Commissioner Jessica Huntley, as well as the member institutions, for inviting our men’s golf team to join the conference as an affiliate member,” said WP Director of Athletics
Sabrina Grant. “We are looking forward to having a postseason competition opportunity this April, and are pleased that our golfers will also be eligible for conference awards that recognize their athletic and academic accomplishments.”
The 2020 Atlantic East Men's Golf Championship, hosted by Neumann, will be held on Friday and Saturday, April 24-25 at Wyncote Golf Club in Oxford, Pennsylvania.