AMCC, ATLANTIC EAST ANNOUNCE NEW PARTNERSHIP IN MEN'S TENNIS

The Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) is excited to announce an associate membership with the Atlantic East Conference and a new championship format in the sport of men's tennis. Starting in the 2023-24 academic year the AMCC will work towards an automatic qualifying spot for men’s tennis by teaming up with members of the Atlantic East. Current AMCC members Mount Aloysius College, Penn St. Altoona, Penn St. Behrend, and Pitt-Greensburg will join forces with Atlantic East members Immaculata University, Marywood University, Marymount University, and Neumann University. In 2024-25 they will be joined by Pratt Institute as they join the Atlantic East.

“The AMCC is always looking for ways to collaborate with other Division III conferences in our region," explained AMCC Commissioner Donna Ledwin.  "Facilitating affiliate membership with the Atlantic East for our institutions who sponsor men's tennis is a perfect example of that.  We want to do everything we can to be sure our student-athletes have a post-season championship opportunity.  This agreement also serves to bolster the sport of tennis in Division III.  It's win-win all the way around.”

“We are excited to provide this opportunity for our men’s tennis student athletes. We look forward to working with the schools from the AMCC and continuing to build our tennis tournament," said Atlantic East Commissioner Jessica Huntley. 

The format for the 2023-24 year will be a spring tournament with each conference working as a division and their respective champion competing for the Atlantic East crown. The divisional round will occur at two sites:  Westwood Racquet Club in Erie, PA on April 20-21 and at Neumann in Ashton, PA on April 27-28.  The winners of those matches will travel to the Atlantic East title match on Sunday, May 5th at Hershey Racquet Club in Hershey, PA.

“We are excited to join forces with the Atlantic East,” stated Penn State Behrend head tennis coach Jeff Barger. “ This is a great opportunity for our players to see what’s out there for men’s tennis. We look forward to the challenge.”