Empire 8 Welcomes New School for Golf – Finger Lakes Daily News

The Empire 8 Conference is pleased to announce the addition of SUNY Canton as an affiliate member in the sport of men’s golf, effective immediately.

“With the addition of SUNY Canton comes a more competitive and enhanced student-athlete experience for all members and participants,” said Empire 8 Executive Director Chuck Mitrano. “We look forward to having them tee off in the Empire 8!”

SUNY Canton, located in Canton, N.Y., was established in 1906 and is dedicated to providing a progression of accessible, affordable, high-quality applied programs that enable students in the North Country, New York State, and beyond to achieve their highest potential both personally and professionally.

SUNY Canton currently sponsors 15 Division III sports, in addition to co-ed Cheerleading and E-Sports, the majority competing in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC). The men’s golf program, coached by Mark Bickelhaupt, competes against several Empire 8 members in tournament competition. During the 2023-24 academic year, the Canton men’s golf team won three tournaments, took second place twice and finished third in four others.

Canton will become the eighth Empire 8 men’s golf program in 2024-25, joining full-time members Keuka College, Nazareth University, SUNY Poly, Russell Sage College, St. John Fisher University, and Utica University in addition to fellow long-time affiliate member SUNY Oswego.

“Thank you to Executive Director Mitrano and the Empire 8 member schools for accepting SUNY Canton men’s golf into their conference,” said SUNY Canton Athletic Director Randy B. Sieminski. “We look forward to competing with their outstanding teams.”

The SUNY Canton athletics department has grown considerably in the past few years, adding six sports since 2011 and more than doubling the number of student-athletes. In 2011, SUNY Canton opened a 46 million dollar athletic facility complete with a new ice arena, a three-court field house with a hardwood floor and synthetic surface, indoor baseball/softball practice facilities with year round drop down batting cages, a new 5,000 sq ft. fitness center, a lap pool, state-of-the-art athletic training room, team locker rooms, dedicated study areas for student-athletes with wireless computer access, a new office complex for athletic staff and coaches, and much more.

A rich history of past athletic success from NJCAA National and Regional Championships and Academic All-Americans and a current history of new success in the North Athletic Conference (NAC) and SUNYAC, along with a commitment towards student-athlete development and facility enhancement will keep SUNY Canton an exciting place for student-athletes to pursue their academic and athletic goals.

Founded in 1998, the Empire 8 has developed into one of the premier NCAA Division III athletic conferences, both on the field and in the classroom. The conference consists of 12 current full-time member institutions, which include Alfred University, SUNY Brockport, Elmira College, SUNY Geneseo, Hartwick College, Houghton College, Keuka College, Nazareth University, SUNY Poly, Russell Sage College, St. John Fisher University and Utica University.

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