SUNY Delhi Announces Move to Four-Year Athletics

DELHI, NY (02/28/2015)(readMedia)-- SUNY Delhi announces that it will transition to a four-year athletic program as a member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) effective May 2015.

According to Robert Backus, SUNY Delhi Athletic Director, the college recently received approval for a four-year athletic program from SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. "We are very excited and pleased to be a new member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association," said Backus. "This is the next chapter in our college's athletic transition to four-year athletics."

All of SUNY Delhi's teams will now compete as part of the USCAA after a 60-year affiliation with the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). Men's and women's golf will continue with a dual affiliation with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

With SUNY Delhi's growing number of baccalaureate degree offerings, the USCAA move will help the college's recruitment and retention efforts and allow students to compete an additional two years.

Two former Delhi student athletes, Paris Matteo and Mitch Couch, say that Delhi's transition to four-year athletics has helped them continue with their college of choice. "As soon as I heard about the change, I decided to come back to Delhi right away," said Mateo, who originally transferred to another college for its four-year soccer program.

Couch, a track and field athlete, added, "I'm a professional golf management major who can now compete at Delhi for an additional two years. I hear many other athletes who were thinking about transferring say that they've decided to stay at Delhi as well."

SUNY Delhi's dedication to regional and national competition grants athletes the opportunity to participate in intercollegiate sports while pursuing their academic careers. Delhi athletes compete in regional and national championships and are consistently named All-Region and All-American in their respective sports.

Delhi's outstanding athletic facilities include the Clark Field House, featuring the Floyd L. Maines Arena, the CADI Fitness Center, and a mini-dome. The college's athletic facilities also include the Kunsela Hall Aquatics Center, The College Golf Course, an eight-lane 400-meter outdoor track, playing fields, racquetball/handball courts, and indoor and outdoor tennis courts.

For more information about SUNY Delhi Athletics, contact Director Robert Backus at 607-746-4677.