Elizabethtown College accepts invitation to join the Landmark Conference

ELIZABETHTOWN, PA (04/03/2013)(readMedia)-- Sanford J. Ungar, President of Goucher College and Chair of the Landmark Conference Executive Board, announced today that Elizabethtown College has accepted an invitation to join the Landmark Conference as its ninth member institution, beginning July 1, 2014.

"We welcome Elizabethtown College, an institution that shares the other eight Landmark members' educational philosophies and high academic standards," said Ungar. "I am sure the addition of Elizabethtown will build upon the reputation of our conference and enhance the quality of the college experience of all of our student-athletes."

"We look forward to continuing our long tradition of athletic success in a new conference," said Elizabethtown College President, Carl J. Strikwerda. "Elizabethtown College and the institutions in the Landmark Conference already know each other well, and we look forward to spirited competition on the field and good working relationships in overseeing the conference."

Elizabethtown, which sponsors 22 varsity sports, is the first college to be added to the Landmark Conference since it began intercollegiate competition in 2007. Elizabethtown joins inaugural member-institutions The Catholic University of America (Washington, D.C.), Drew University (Madison, N.J.), Goucher College (Baltimore, Md.), Juniata College (Huntingdon, Pa.), Moravian College (Bethlehem, Pa.), the University of Scranton (Scranton, Pa.), Susquehanna University (Selinsgrove, Pa.), and the United States Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point, N.Y.).

Members of the Landmark Conference share a focus on institutional excellence through the emphasis of their academic missions and a belief that athletics competition is an important component of the undergraduate experience. Intercollegiate athletic programs are maintained with a perspective that holds paramount the academic programs of the institution and the academic and personal growth of the student-athlete. The Landmark sponsors championships in 20 different sports.

"I am pleased, professionally and personally, about this opportunity," said Nancy Latimore, Elizabethtown's Director of Athletics. "The eight institutions that formed the Landmark six short years ago, have very quickly created one of Division III's most-respected athletic conferences. We are thrilled to become part of the Landmark Conference and are confident that our student-athletes will benefit immensely. It is a perfect fit for Elizabethtown."

"The Landmark Conference athletic directors are delighted to welcome Elizabethtown into the conference," said Mike Allen, Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics at Catholic University. "Many of us have had the pleasure of competing with Elizabethtown in the past and have great respect for the quality of its institution and athletic programs. Elizabethtown will be an excellent addition to the conference and we look forward to the Blue Jays joining us as a full member."

Elizabethtown has competed against many of the schools that make up the Landmark Conference and has a rich history competing against geographical rivals such as Juniata, Moravian, Susquehanna and Scranton.

The College's move to the Landmark Conference in 2014-15 will bring to a close a 63-year affiliation with the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC).

"Leaving the Middle Atlantic Conference will be bittersweet. Quite a few members of our athletics staff have been associated with the MAC for a very long time, and hold many games, championships, and people close to our hearts. We hope to continue our rivalries with some of our MAC friends in the years ahead," Latimore said.

Elizabethtown College, located in historic Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is a private coed institution offering more than four dozen liberal arts, fine and performing arts, science and engineering, business, communications and education degrees. Through personal attention, creative inspiration and academic challenge, Elizabethtown College students are encouraged to expand their intellectual curiosity and are given the opportunity to become a bigger part of the world through experiential learning-research, internships and study abroad. Elizabethtown College's overall commitment to Educate for Service is fulfilled as students are taught intellectually, socially, aesthetically and ethically for lives of service and leadership.

Visit www.etown.edu for more information about Elizabethtown College.