SOMERSET, N.J. (July 12, 2022) – The Northeast Conference (NEC) bolstered its membership with a trio of sports, including the Howard University men's golf program, thanks to a unique partnership with the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).
 
The collaboration features MEAC sports of baseball and men's & women's golf going under the NEC banner, beginning the 2022-23 academic year.
 
"This is a great opportunity for our men's golf program," said Howard Director of Athletics Kery Davis. "Our student-athletes will have an opportunity to compete in a competitive conference while reducing their time away from the classroom. Thank you, Commissioner Noreen Morris and NEC Council of Presidents, we look forward to competing next year."
 
The affiliate member relationship will provide uninterrupted regular season, conference championship and NCAA automatic qualifier access to the incoming MEAC programs as they join forces with NEC sponsoring members in the aforementioned sports.
 
"We are thrilled to announce this associate member partnership with the MEAC baseball, women's golf and men's golf programs," said NEC Commissioner Noreen Morris. "This is a win-win relationship for both conferences and places the student-athlete experience at the forefront. On behalf of the NEC Presidents and Athletic Administrators, we welcome these MEAC programs to the NEC family."
 
While retaining primary membership in the MEAC, the following institutions have accepted associate membership invitations from the NEC Council of Presidents:
 
Baseball: Coppin State, Delaware State, Maryland Eastern Shore and Norfolk State
Men's Golf: Howard, Maryland Eastern Shore and North Carolina Central
Women's Golf: Delaware State, Maryland Eastern Shore and North Carolina Central
 
Howard men's golf team joins women's lacrosse, men's & women's soccer and men's & women's swimming & diving as NEC associate members.
 
Entering the 2022-23 season, NEC men's golf will consist of nine sponsoring members: Howard; Fairleigh Dickinson; Long Island; Maryland Eastern Shore; North Carolina Central; Merrimack; Sacred Heart; Saint Francis U and Wagner.
 
HU wrapped up its second spring season under Coach Sam Puryear, highlighted with victories at the MEAC Championship and PGA Works Collegiate Championship.
 
The men's golf team opens the fall campaign at the inaugural Charlie Sifford Centennial Cup. The historic event is slated for August 29, 2022, at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., hosted by Johnson C. Smith University.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com or visit the NEC website at www.northeastconference.org.