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A
HISTORY OF THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC STATES COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CORPORATION
Researched and Written by Thomas Hanrahan
Director of College Relations,
Lebanon
Valley
College
Since the organization of the Middle Atlantic Conference on
December 1, 1912
, there have been at least 50 colleges and universities that have been
associated with this intercollegiate athletic association in some form. Of
these 50, most have been official members of the conference and/or
official members of an individual sports association such as the Middle
Atlantic Conference
Wrestling
Association. However, several schools listed may have only attended
meetings and/or participated in conference championships without holding
official membership.
Because known conference records are
incomplete prior to the 1946-47 academic year, the following institutional
list, particularly the information concerning length of membership for
many schools, is incomplete.
The first part is a list of the 50
colleges and universities whose names have appeared, in any form, as
having had an association with the Middle Atlantic Conference. The second
part is a breakdown of information on all 50 schools and their known
association(s) with the conference. The third part completes the preface
with a brief historical timeline.
The majority of the information for the
three sections is derived from: David B. Eavenson’s 1987 History of the
Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Conference, 1912-1987; Middle
Atlantic Conference Fact Books from 1968-69 through 2000-001; and numerous
conference committee meeting minutes from 1946-47 through 1993-94.
An Institutional List of Colleges and Universities That Have Been
Formally Associated with the Middle Atlantic Conference Since its Founding
in 1912
Albright
College
Muhlenberg
College
Alfred University
New York
University
Bucknell
University
Princeton
University
Columbia
University
Philadelphia
College
of Textiles & Science
Delaware
Valley
College
Rider
University
DeSales
University
Rutgers
University
Dickinson College
St.
Joseph’s University
Drew University
Stevens Institute of Technology
Drexel
University
Susquehanna
University
Elizabethtown
College
Swarthmore
College
Fairleigh
Dickinson
University
- Florham
Temple
University
Franklin
and
Marshall
College
The
American
University
Gettysburg
College
Union
College
Haverford
College
University
of
Delaware
Hofstra
University
University
of
Pennsylvania
Johns
Hopkins
University
University
of
Scranton
Juniata
College
Upsala
College
King’s College
Ursinus College
Lafayette
College
Wagner
College
LaSalle University
Washington
College
Lebanon Valley College
Washington
and
Jefferson
College
Lehigh
University
West Chester
University
Lycoming
College
Western
Maryland
College
Messiah
College
Widener
University
Moravian
College
Wilkes
University
Institutional Histories as they
relate to the Middle Atlantic Conference
The colleges and universities are listed in alphabetical order. The first
name listed is the current official college or university name. This is
followed, in no particular order, by years of membership, the first year
of membership (if known), any institutional name changes while a member of
the MAC, type of special membership if applicable, and any other relevant
information that may shed light on that institution’s association with
the conference.
Institutions represented at the first annual meeting of the
Middle Atlantic States
Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC), held in
Philadelphia
on
April 23, 1922
, are italicized. These 13 institutions are sometimes referred in
conference documents as the original members of the conference although
the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Association (MASCAA)
preceded the former group by almost a decade.
Albright
College
- Albright has been an official member since at least the 1945-46
academic year. The college is currently a member of the 16-school Middle
Atlantic Corporation (formerly the Middle Atlantic Conference).
Alfred
University
- Alfred was discussed in David B. Eavenson’s 1987 History of the
Middle Atlantic States
Collegiate Athletic Conference, 1912-1987. Eavenson wrote that conference
records show that Alfred joined the MAC sometime after 1914 but does not
give either the year or the source of this information.
Alfred
University
is not mentioned in any conference records.
American
University
- American was an official member between 1966-67 and 1973-74 when they
departed with 10 other larger schools to form the East Coast Conference.
American returned to the MAC as an Associate Member (no voting, scheduling
or championship participation rights) for two academic years (1980-81 and
1981-82).
Bucknell
University
– Bucknell, at the very least, was an official member from 1946-47
through 1973-74 when they departed with 10 other larger schools to form
the East Coast Conference. Bucknell remained in the conference as an
Associate Member (no voting, scheduling or championship participation
rights) from 1974-75 through 1981-82. Bucknell was also discussed in David
B. Eavenson’s 1987 History of the
Middle Atlantic States
Collegiate Athletic Conference, 1912-1987. Eavenson wrote that conference
records show that Bucknell joined the MAC sometime after 1914 but does not
give either the year or the source of this information. The university was
also represented at the inception meeting of the Middle Atlantic States
Collegiate Athletic Conference on
April 23, 1922
and, as such, is sometimes listed as one of the conference’s original 13
members. MASCAC Newsletter, Vol. I, No. 2,
April 5, 1947
, pp. 1-2. Dr. E. LeRoy Mercer, conference secretary, editor.
Columbia
University
-
Columbia
was an official member of the conference from 1946-47 through 1954-55 when
they left in disagreement over the MAC’s first official reorganization.
Columbia
was also discussed in David B. Eavenson’s 1987 History of the
Middle Atlantic States
Collegiate Athletic Conference, 1912-1987. Eavenson wrote that conference
records show that
Columbia
joined the MAC sometime after 1914 but does not give either the year or
the source of this information. He also wrote that although
Columbia
was not represented as one of 13 colleges and universities in attendance
at the inception meeting of the conference in 1922, they were one of five
additional institutions that approved the original plan for the Middle
Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Conference.
Delaware
Valley
College
-
Delaware
Valley
became a member of the conference during the 1965-66 academic year. The
college is currently a member of the 16-school Middle Atlantic Corporation
(formerly the Middle Atlantic Conference).
DeSales
University
- Formerly
Allentown
College
, DeSales became a member of the conference during the 1997-98 academic
year. The university is currently a member of the 16-school Middle
Atlantic Corporation (formerly the Middle Atlantic Conference). DeSales is
the newest member of the MAC. The school became
DeSales
University
in 2001.
Dickinson
College
-
Dickinson
was represented at the very first gathering in 1912 and participated in
the first conference track and field championship in 1913.
Dickinson
is listed in official records as having held conference membership at
least from 1946-47 through 1992-93 when 10 schools departed to form the
Centennial Conference.
Dickinson
was further discussed in David B. Eavenson’s 1987 History of the
Middle Atlantic States
Collegiate Athletic Conference, 1912-1987. Eavenson wrote that conference
records show that
Dickinson
was not represented as one of 13 colleges and universities in attendance
at the inception meeting of the conference in 1922 nor as one of the five
institutions who did not attend the meeting but that did approve the
original plan. However,
Dickinson
’s F. E. Craver was one of four members on the MAC’s Executive
Committee in 1925; the first known assembly of this administrative
sub-group.
Drew
University
- Drew became a member of the conference during the 1968-69 academic
year. The university is currently a member of the 16-school Middle
Atlantic Corporation (formerly the Middle Atlantic Conference).
Drexel
University
- Formerly both Drexel Institute of Technology and Drexel Institute of
Art, Science and Industry, Drexel was a member of the conference during
the 1945-46 academic year and remained until 1973-74 when 11 larger
schools departed to form the East Coast Conference. Drexel remained in the
conference as an Associate Member (no voting, scheduling or championship
participation rights) from 1974-75 through 1981-82. Drexel was also
discussed in David B. Eavenson’s 1987 History of the
Middle Atlantic States
Collegiate Athletic Conference, 1912-1987. Eavenson wrote that conference
records show that Drexel joined the MAC sometime after 1914 but does not
give either the year or the source of this information. The university was
also represented at the inception meeting of the Middle Atlantic States
Collegiate Athletic Conference on
April 23, 1922
and, as such, is sometimes listed as one of the conference’s original 13
members. MASCAC Newsletter, Vol. I, No. 2,
April 5, 1947
, pp. 1-2. Dr. E. LeRoy Mercer, conference secretary, editor.
Elizabethtown
College
-
Elizabethtown
officially became a member of the conference during the 1950-51 academic
year. The school was listed among the membership during the 1949-50 annual
meeting minutes but it was noted that they would not join the conference
officially until the following academic year. The college is currently a
member of the 16-school Middle Atlantic Corporation (formerly the Middle
Atlantic Conference).
Fairleigh
Dickinson
University
at Florham (
Madison
, originally) - Fairleigh Dickinson became a member of the conference
during the 1977-78 academic year. The university is currently a member of
the 16-school Middle Atlantic Corporation (formerly the Middle Atlantic
Conference).
Franklin
&
Marshall
College
- Franklin & Marshall was represented at the first annual meeting
of the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletics Association on
May 16, 1913
and competed in the inaugural track and field championship the following
day. The college was also represented at the inception meeting of the
Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Conference on
April 23, 1922
and, as such, is sometimes listed as one of the conference’s original 13
members. Franklin & Marshall is listed in official records as having
held conference membership from at least 1945-46 through 1992-93 when 10
schools departed to form the Centennial Conference. Franklin &
Marshall was further discussed in David B. Eavenson’s 1987 History of
the
Middle Atlantic States
Collegiate Athletic Conference, 1912-1987. Eavenson wrote that Frank C.
Garwood of F&M was the first known conference officer with a position
that pre-dated the 1922 MASCAC formation. Garwood is listed as
Secretary-Treasurer in 1917. There are no other records until 1922 when
Samuel C. Palmer of
Swarthmore
College
was named to this position. It is not known if
Garfield
held the position from 1917 to 1921. However, Eavenson does note that
Garfield
returned to the role of Secretary-Treasurer in 1925. MASCAC Newsletter,
Vol. I, No. 2,
April 5, 1947
, pp. 1-2. Dr. E. LeRoy Mercer, conference secretary, editor.
Gettysburg
College
-
Gettysburg
became a member of the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic
Association in 1914 according to David B. Eavenson’s 1987 History of the
Middle Atlantic States
Collegiate Athletic Conference, 1912-1987. The college was also
represented at the inception meeting of the Middle Atlantic States
Collegiate Athletic Conference on
April 23, 1922
and, as such, is sometimes listed as one of the conference’s original 13
members.
Gettysburg
is listed in official records as having held conference membership from at
least 1945-46 through 1992-93 when 10 schools departed to form the
Centennial Conference. MASCAC Newsletter, Vol. I, No. 2,
April 5, 1947
, pp. 1-2. Dr. E. LeRoy Mercer, conference secretary, editor.
Haverford
College
- Haverford was represented at the first gathering of the Middle
Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Association (MASCAA) on
December 11, 1912
at
Lafayette
College
. However, the school did not participate in the inception meeting of the
MASCAA on
May 16, 1913
nor compete in the inaugural track and field championship the following
day. Haverford became a member of the MASCAA in 1914 according to David B.
Eavenson’s 1987 History of the
Middle Atlantic States
Collegiate Athletic Conference, 1912-1987. The college was also
represented at the first annual meeting of the Middle Atlantic States
Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) on
April 23, 1922
and, as such, is sometimes listed as one of the conference’s original 13
members. Further, Haverford’s J. A. Babbitt was one of four members on
the MAC’s Executive Committee in 1925; the first known assembly of this
administrative sub-group. Haverford is listed in official records as
having held conference membership from at least 1945-46 through 1992-93
when 10 schools departed to form the Centennial Conference. MASCAC
Newsletter, Vol. I, No. 2,
April 5, 1947
, pp. 1-2. Dr. E. LeRoy Mercer, conference secretary, editor.
Hofstra
University
- Formerly
Hofstra
College
, Hofstra became a member of the conference during the 1951-52 academic
year and remained until 1973-74. Hofstra returned to the MAC as an
Associate Member (no voting, scheduling or championship participation
rights) for two academic years (1980-81 and 1981-82). The school became
Hofstra
University
in 1962.
Johns
Hopkins
University
- Johns Hopkins is listed in official records as having held
conference membership from at least 1945-46 through 1992-93 when 10
schools departed to form the Centennial Conference. Johns Hopkins was also
discussed in David B. Eavenson’s 1987 History of the
Middle Atlantic States
Collegiate Athletic Conference, 1912-1987. Eavenson wrote that conference
records show that Johns Hopkins joined the MAC sometime after 1914 but
does not give either the year or the source of this information. He also
wrote that although Johns Hopkins was not represented as one of 13
colleges and universities in attendance at the inception meeting of the
conference in 1922, they were one of five institutions that approved the
original plan for the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic
Conference. Further,
Hopkins
’ J. T. Thompson was one of four members on the MAC’s Executive
Committee in 1925, the first known assembly of this administrative
sub-group.
Juniata
College
-
Juniata
is listed in official records as having held conference membership since
at least 1945-46.
Juniata
was also discussed in David B. Eavenson’s 1987 History of the
Middle Atlantic States
Collegiate Athletic Conference, 1912-1987. Eavenson wrote that conference
records show that
Juniata
joined the MAC sometime after 1914 but does not give either the year or
the source of this information. The college is currently a member of the
16-school Middle Atlantic Corporation (formerly the Middle Atlantic
Conference).
King’s College – King’s became a member of the conference
during the 1977-78 academic year. The college is currently a member of the
16-school Middle Atlantic Corporation (formerly the Middle Atlantic
Conference).
Lafayette
College
-
Lafayette
was the host institution for the first gathering of the Middle Atlantic
States Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) on
December 11, 1912
according to David B. Eavenson’s 1987 History of the
Middle Atlantic States
Collegiate Athletic Conference, 1912-1987. Eavenson also wrote that
Lafayette
hosted the first annual meeting of the “Association” on
May 16, 1913
, though official conference minutes list the 1947 gathering as the 25th
annual. This would suggest that the
April 23, 1922
“inception” meeting in
Philadelphia
, also discussed in Eavenson’s history, is accepted as the first annual
meeting. The 13 colleges that attended the
Philadelphia
meeting are referred in various records as the original 13 members, thus
adding credence to this assumption. Nevertheless,
Lafayette
did host the conference’s first sporting event, the first annual track
meet, on
May 17, 1913
. Ironically, there is no record of
Lafayette
having attended the 1922
Philadelphia
meeting, and, as such, they are not recognized by some as an original
member.
Lafayette
was a member of the conference from at least the 1945-46 academic year and
remained until 1973-74 when 11 larger schools departed to form the East
Coast Conference.
Lafayette
remained in the conference as an Associate Member (no voting, scheduling
or championship participation rights) from 1974-75 through 1990-91.
LaSalle
University
- Formerly
LaSalle
College
, LaSalle became a member of the conference during the 1951-52 academic
year and remained until 1973-74 when 11 larger schools departed to form
the East Coast Conference. LaSalle remained in the conference as an
Associate Member (no voting, scheduling or championship participation
rights) for two academic years (1980-81 and 1981-82). The school became
LaSalle
University
in 1984.
Lebanon
Valley
College
-
Lebanon
Valley
was the only school not in attendance at the questioned first annual
meeting of the “Association,” held at
Lafayette
College
on
May 16, 1913
, to participate in the first annual track meet the next day. In the
History of the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Conference,
1912-1987, author David B. Eavenson wrote that Lebanon Valley withdrew
from the Association sometime in the years after 1914 but does not give
either the year or the source of this information. This would of course
imply that the college was a member of the conference sometime during this
time period. Regardless,
Lebanon
Valley
has been an official member since at least the 1945-46 academic year. The
college is currently a member of the 16-school Middle Atlantic Corporation
(formerly the Middle Atlantic Conference).
Lehigh University - Lehigh was represented at the very first
gathering in 1912 and participated in the first conference track and field
championship in 1913 according to David B. Eavenson’s 1987 History of
the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Conference, 1912-1987.
Eavenson also wrote that although Lehigh was not represented as one of 13
colleges and universities in attendance at the inception meeting of the
conference in 1922, they were one of five institutions that approved the
original plan for the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic
Conference. Further, Lehigh’s M. E. Kanaly was one of four members on
the MAC’s Executive Committee in 1925, the first known assembly of this
administrative sub-group. Lehigh was a member of the conference from at
least the 1945-46 academic year and remained until 1973-74 when 11 larger
schools departed to form the East Coast Conference. Lehigh was in the
conference as an Associate Member (no voting, scheduling or championship
participation rights) from 1975-76 through 1988-89. They do not appear to
have been associated with the conference in any manner during the 1974-74
academic year.
Lycoming
College
- Lycoming became a member of the conference during the 1952-53
academic year. The college is currently a member of the 16-school Middle
Atlantic Corporation (formerly the Middle Atlantic Conference).
Messiah
College
- Messiah became a member of the conference during the 1983-84 academic
year. The college is currently a member of the 16-school Middle Atlantic
Corporation (formerly the Middle Atlantic Conference).
Moravian
College
- Moravian has been an official member since at least the 1945-46
academic year. The college is currently a member of the 16-school Middle
Atlantic Corporation (formerly the Middle Atlantic Conference).
Muhlenberg
College
- Muhlenberg was represented at the very first gathering of the Middle
Atlantic Conference at
Lafayette
College
on
December 11, 1912
. They were also represented at the first annual meeting of the Middle
Atlantic States Collegiate Athletics Association on
May 16, 1913
and competed in the inaugural track and field championship the following
day. In addition, a Muhlenberg official was in attendance at the inception
meeting of the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Conference on
April 23, 1922
and, as such, the school is sometimes listed as one of the conference’s
original 13 members. Muhlenberg is listed in official records as having
held conference membership from at least 1945-46 through 1992-93 when 10
schools departed to form the Centennial Conference. Muhlenberg was further
discussed in David B. Eavenson’s 1987 History of the
Middle Atlantic States
Collegiate Athletic Conference, 1912-1987. Eavenson wrote that
Muhlenberg’s Gurney Afflerbach was named conference Vice President in
1925. After 1925, conference records of officers do not resume until 1946.
Afflerbach is listed as MAC President in 1946, 21 years later, and it is
logical to presume that Muhlenberg may have been a member during the
intervening years. MASCAC Newsletter, Vol. I, No. 2,
April 5, 1947
, pp. 1-2. Dr. E. LeRoy Mercer, conference
secretary, editor.
New York
University
- NYU was represented at the very first gathering of the Middle Atlantic
Conference at
Lafayette
College
on
December 11, 1912
. They were also represented at the first annual meeting of the Middle
Atlantic States Collegiate Athletics Association on
May 16, 1913
and competed in the inaugural track and field championship the following
day. In addition, a NYU official was in attendance at the inception
meeting of the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Conference on
April 23, 1922
and, as such, the school is sometimes listed as one of the conference’s
original 13 members. NYU is listed in official records as having held
conference membership from at least 1946-47 through 1954-55 and having
been a “non-qualifying” member during the 1955-56 academic year.
Though no definition is given for this term, it likely implied that they
would participate in regular season competition but were ineligible for
playoffs and championships. Finally, David B. Eavenson’s 1987 History of
the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Conference, 1912-1987 notes
that “NYU was forced to relinquish its membership when its student
enrollment passed the thousand mark” sometime after 1914. Eavenson then
notes that changes to the conference’ constitution allowed NYU to rejoin
the MAC. MASCAC Newsletter, Vol. I, No. 2,
April 5, 1947
, pp. 1-2. Dr. E. LeRoy Mercer, conference secretary, editor.
Princeton
University
-
Princeton
was represented at the inception meeting of the Middle Atlantic States
Collegiate Athletic Conference on
April 23, 1922
and, as such, is sometimes listed as one of the conference’s original 13
members.
Princeton
was an official member of the conference from 1946-47 through 1954-55 when
they left in disagreement over the MAC’s first official reorganization.
In addition, Dean Howard McClenahan of Princeton was elected as the
conference’s first president at the 1922 inception meeting in
Philadelphia according to David B. Eavenson’s 1987 History of the Middle
Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Conference, 1912-1987. MASCAC
Newsletter, Vol. I, No. 2,
April 5, 1947
, pp. 1-2. Dr. E. LeRoy Mercer, conference secretary, editor.
Rider
University
- Rider was an official member between 1965-66 and 1973-74 when they
departed with 10 other larger schools to form the East Coast Conference.
Rider remained with the MAC as an Associate Member (no voting, scheduling
or championship participation rights) from 1974-75 through 1990-91. The
school, formerly
Rider
College
, became
Rider
University
in 1994.
Rutgers
University
-
Rutgers
was represented at the very first gathering of the Middle Atlantic
Conference at
Lafayette
College
on
December 11, 1912
. They were also represented at the inception meeting of the Middle
Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Conference on
April 23, 1922
and, as such, the school is sometimes listed as one of the conference’s
original 13 members.
Rutgers
is listed in official records as having held conference membership from at
least 1945-46 through 1961-62. MASCAC Newsletter, Vol. I, No. 2,
April 5, 1947
, pp. 1-2. Dr. E. LeRoy Mercer, conference secretary, editor.
Seton
Hall
University
- Formerly
Seton
Hall
College
, Seton Hall is listed in official records as having held conference
membership from at least 1946-47 through 1955-56.
St. Joseph
’s University - Formerly
St. Joseph
’s College, St. Joe's was a member of the conference from at least the
1949-50 academic year and remained until 1973-74 when 11 larger schools
departed to form the East Coast Conference. St. Joe’s was in the
conference as an Associate Member (no voting, scheduling or championship
participation rights) from 1979-80 through 1981-82. The school became
St. Joseph
’s University in 1980.
Stevens Institute of Technology - Stevens was represented at the
first annual meeting of the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletics
Association on
May 16, 1913
and competed in the inaugural track and field championship the following
day. The school was also represented at the inception meeting of the
Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Conference on
April 23, 1922
and, as such, is sometimes listed as one of the conference’s original 13
members. Stevens is listed in official records as having held conference
membership from at least 1946-47 through 1977-78. In addition, John A.
Davis of Stevens was elected as the conference’s first vice-president at
the 1922 inception meeting in Philadelphia according to David B.
Eavenson’s 1987 History of the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate
Athletic Conference, 1912-1987. MASCAC Newsletter, Vol. I, No. 2,
April 5, 1947
, pp. 1-2. Dr. E. LeRoy Mercer, conference secretary, editor.
Susquehanna
University
- Susquehanna was represented at the inception meeting of the Middle
Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Conference on
April 23, 1922
and, as such, is sometimes listed as one of the conference’s original 13
members. Susquehanna has been a member since at least 1946-47 according to
conference records. The university is currently a member of the 16-school
Middle Atlantic Corporation (formerly the Middle Atlantic Conference).
MASCAC Newsletter, Vol. I, No. 2,
April 5, 1947
, pp. 1-2. Dr. E. LeRoy Mercer, conference secretary, editor.
Swarthmore
College
- Swarthmore was represented at the very first gathering of the conference
at
Lafayette
College
on
December 11, 1912
. In addition, Swarthmore was represented at the first annual meeting of
the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletics Association on
May 16, 1913
and competed in the inaugural track and field championship the following
day. The college was also represented at the inception meeting of the
Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Conference on
April 23, 1922
and, as such, is sometimes listed as one of the conference’s original 13
members. Swarthmore is listed in official records as having held
conference membership from at least 1945-46 through 1992-93 when 10
schools departed to form the Centennial Conference. Also, Samuel C. Palmer
of Swarthmore was elected as the conference’s first secretary-treasurer
at the 1922 inception meeting in Philadelphia according to David B.
Eavenson’s 1987 History of the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate
Athletic Conference, 1912-1987. In 1925, Dr. E. LeRoy Mercer of Swarthmore
became MAC president. Dr. Mercer would later become a MAC leader when he
returned as athletic director to his alma mater the
University
of
Pennsylvania
. MASCAC Newsletter, Vol. I, No. 2,
April 5, 1947
, pp. 1-2. Dr. E. LeRoy Mercer, conference secretary, editor.
Temple
University
-
Temple
was a member of the conference from at least the 1946-47 academic year and
remained until 1973-74 when 11 larger schools departed to form the East
Coast Conference.
Temple
remained in the conference as an Associate Member (no voting, scheduling
or championship participation rights) from 1974-75 through 1985-86.
Union College - The only record of an association between Union and
the Middle Atlantic Conference can be found on page eight of David B.
Eavenson’s 1987 History of the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate
Athletic Conference, 1912-1987. Eavenson wrote that sometime after 1914,
Union
, along with several other institutions, became a member of the
conference.
University
of
Delaware
-
Delaware
at the very least was an official member from 1945-46 through 1973-74 when
they departed with 10 other larger schools to form the East Coast
Conference. They remained in the conference as an Associate Member (no
voting, scheduling or championship participation rights) from 1974-75
through 1990-91.
Delaware
was also represented at the inception meeting of the Middle Atlantic
States Collegiate Athletic Conference on
April 23, 1922
and, as such, is sometimes listed as one of the conference’s original 13
members. MASCAC Newsletter, Vol. I, No. 2,
April 5, 1947
, pp. 1-2. Dr. E. LeRoy Mercer, conference secretary, editor.
University
of
Pennsylvania
- Penn was an official member of the conference from 1946-47 through
1954-55 when they left in disagreement over the MAC’s first official
reorganization. However, the University remained in the conference for 25
years, 1955-56 through 1979-80, as an Associate Member (no voting,
scheduling or championship participation rights). Penn’s Dr. E. LeRoy
Mercer, formerly of
Swarthmore
College
, is credited in David B. Eavenson’s 1987 History of the
Middle Atlantic States
Collegiate Athletic Conference, 1912-1987 as having been a “steadying
influence” on the conference during some difficult periods. Eavenson
goes so far as to state that, “without his guidance perhaps the MAC
would never have been.” Mercer, while still at Swarthmore, was elected
as president of the conference in 1925 and, beginning when conference
records resume in 1946, was listed as secretary-treasurer from 1946-47
through 1952-53. He was named an honorary life member, a conference first,
in 1953. It is likely, based on Eavenson's history, that Mercer was
involved with the conference from at least 1925 through 1953.
The
University
of
Scranton
-
Scranton
has been an official member since at least the 1945-46 academic year. The
university is currently a member of the 16-school Middle Atlantic
Corporation (formerly the Middle Atlantic Conference).
Upsala
College
- Upsala was an official member of the conference from 1960-61 through
1994-95. At that time, Upsala was forced to close its doors due to
financial exigencies.
Ursinus
College
- Ursinus is listed in official records as having held conference
membership from at least 1945-46 through 1992-93 when 10 schools departed
to form the Centennial Conference. The college was also discussed in David
B. Eavenson’s 1987 History of the
Middle Atlantic States
Collegiate Athletic Conference, 1912-1987. Eavenson wrote that although
Ursinus was not represented as one of 13 colleges and universities in
attendance at the inception meeting of the conference in 1922, they were
one of five institutions that approved the original plan for the Middle
Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Conference.
Wagner
College
- Wagner was an official member of the conference from at least 1946-47
through 1974-75.
Washington & Jefferson
College
- Washington & Jefferson’s sole appearance among conference records
is in 1913. The school was represented at the first annual meeting of the
Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletics Association on
May 16, 1913
and likely competed in the inaugural track and field championship the
following day.
Washington
College
-
Washington
is listed in official records as having held conference membership from at
least 1946-47 through 1992-93 when 10 schools departed to form the
Centennial Conference.
West Chester University - Formerly West Chester State College and
West Chester State Teacher’s College, West Chester at the very least was
an official member from 1946-47 through 1973-74 when they departed with 10
other larger schools to form the East Coast Conference. They remained in
the conference as an Associate Member (no voting, scheduling or
championship participation rights) from 1976-77 (two-year hiatus) through
1990-91. The school became
West Chester
University
in 1986.
Western Maryland College (now McDaniel) - Western Maryland is
listed in official records as having held conference membership from at
least 1946-47 through 1992-93 when 10 schools departed to form the
Centennial Conference.
Widener
University
- Formerly
Pennsylvania
Military
College
and
Widener
College
, Widener has been an official member since at least the 1946-47 academic
year. The university is currently a member of the 16-school Middle
Atlantic Corporation (formerly the Middle Atlantic Conference). The
college was also discussed in David B. Eavenson’s 1987 History of the
Middle Atlantic States
Collegiate Athletic Conference, 1912-1987. Eavenson wrote that although
Widener was not represented as one of 13 colleges and universities in
attendance at the inception meeting of the conference in 1922, they were
one of five institutions that approved the original plan for the Middle
Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Conference. The school became
Widener
University
in 1983.
Wilkes
University
- Formerly
Wilkes
College
, Wilkes has been a member of the conference since at least 1946-47
according to conference records. The university is currently a member of
the 16-school Middle Atlantic Corporation (formerly the Middle Atlantic
Conference). The school became
Wilkes
University
in 1990.
A Historical Timeline of Key
Events in the Middle Atlantic Conference
December 11, 1912
- Delegates from nine colleges and universities meet at
Lafayette
College
and form the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletics Association (MASCAA).
It is initially organized as a track association.
May 16, 1913
- The Association holds the first annual track meeting, again at
Lafayette
College
.
May 17, 1913
- The Association hosts the first annual track meet at
Lafayette
College
.
1917 - The Association elects the first Secretary-Treasurer of the
conference. Frank C. Garwood of
Franklin
&
Marshall
College
is the first to hold the office.
April 23, 1922
- The Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Conference is officially
organized in
Philadelphia
,
Pa.
Thirteen institutions attended and are often recognized as original
members of the conference. Five additional institutions that were not
represented at the meeting also approved the original plan. Dean Howard
McClenahan of
Princeton
is named the first MAC President.
1925 - Dr. E. LeRoy Mercer of Swarthmore, and later of the
University
of
Pennsylvania
, takes over the reins of president. He would later become
Secretary-Treasurer during his 30+ years of association with the
conference in an official capacity. The first MAC Executive Committee, the
conference’s chief administrative group for several decades, was also
formed.
1946 - Official conference records resume; Gurney F. Afflerbach of
Muhlenberg is now president.
December 6 & 7, 1949 - The MAC celebrates at the 25th annual
meeting. It is noted that there are 32 member institutions - the largest
conference in the country holding membership in the National Collegiate
Athletic Association.
1956-57
- First full year of operation under the reorganized MAC structure whereby
active members must schedule 50 percent of the membership and 15 different
schools within a three-year period. Also, conference championships are
established in cross-country, wrestling, swimming, fencing, tennis, golf
and track replacing association championships.
1957-58 - Leagues are established in soccer, basketball, baseball
and tennis. The conference has 37 member institutions (including associate
memberships) divided into two divisions; 12 members form the
University Division and 25 members form the College Division.
1964 - The NCAA implements the 1.6 Rule in an attempt to enable
colleges and universities to establish freshman eligibility for athletic
scholarships. The rule would prove to be a sore spot among conference
membership. This paved the way for freshman participation.
1971 - The NCAA permits freshman eligibility for varsity
competition. Freshman eligibility had long been a major area of contention
for conference schools; however, the passage of this legislation did not
entirely mitigate the problem among conference members.
1972 - Congress enacts Title IX which eventually led to the
inclusion of women’s athletics as an integral participant in all areas
of the MAC. Many conference members had long-running women’s programs
though they did not participate in either leagues or championships.
June 4-6, 1974
- The first major schism to be focused on this study occurs when the MAC
University Division, comprised of 12 members, loses 11 members who leave
to form their own conference (East Coast Conference). American,
Bucknell
,
Delaware
, Drexel,
Lafayette
, LaSalle, Lehigh, Rider,
St. Joseph
’s,
Temple
and
West Chester
all leave.
Gettysburg
, which opts to join the College Division, is the only University Division
institution to remain.
1975-76 - Though there is no formal league structure yet, the MAC
sponsors women’s championships for the first time in field hockey,
volleyball, basketball, swimming and tennis.
March, 1976 - MAC presidents and athletic directors meet to discuss
the growing problem in football. As a result, the North and South
alignment was continued. It was also determined at this meeting that
women’s athletics would now be an integral part of the conference and
that the MAC would be fully associated with NCAA Division III.
1977 - Women become members of the MAC Executive Committee for the
first time.
December 18, 1978
- David B. Eavenson is named as the first full-time Executive Director of
the MAC - 30 years after the position was first discussed.
May 11, 1981
- Messiah became the last school admitted to the MAC before another
moratorium was placed on membership.
June 4, 1981
- Keith Spalding, president of
Franklin
&
Marshall
College
, announced that eight schools would be leaving the MAC in football to
form a new conference.
Dickinson
,
Franklin
&
Marshall
,
Gettysburg
,
John
s Hopkins, Muhlenberg, Swarthmore, Ursinus, and
Western Maryland
all left to form the Centennial
Football
Conference.
1986 - Dr. Carol Fritz, Associate Athletic Director at
Western
Maryland
College
, was the first woman elected conference president.
1988 - The Conference entered a new era in with the selection of
Nathan Salant as its first full-time Executive Director with his office at
Widener
University
.
April 29, 1992
- Gordon A. Haaland, president of
Gettysburg
College
, announced that the eight Centennial
Football
Conference schools, as well as Haverford and Washington, would break from
the MAC to form the all-sports Centennial Conference. Bryn Mawr was later
added bringing the conference to 11 members on the women’s athletics
side.
October 1, 1993
- The Middle Atlantic Conference hired its first female Executive
Director; Linda E. Hopple, who served through May 2000. She
relocated the conference office to
Lebanon
Valley
College
. Brad Epps, Jim Miller, and
Michael Downey
served as her assistants.
1999 - Spurred by changes in the NCAA championship structure, the
Corporation formed with three conferences – Freedom, Commonwealth, and
Middle Atlantic.
May 8, 2000
– Kenneth W. Andrews replaces Linda Hopple as Executive Director.
Michael Downey,
Roger McAfee, and
Katie Imes
(current employee) work as assistants to the Executive Director, focusing
on conference sports information.
May 9, 2006
–
Arcadia
University
and
Manhattanville
College
accept membership in the Freedom Conference, effective
June 1, 2007
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