Five New Members are Announced for the 2021-22 Academic Year
NORFOLK, VA -- The United States Collegiate Athletic Association and its Board of Directors have announced the addition of five new full members for the 2021-22 academic year: Bath Path University, Bucks County Community College, Miami Hamilton, Miami Middletown, and York County Community College.
Bay Path University
Located in Longmeadow, Mass., Bay Path University education empowers undergraduate women and graduate women and men to become leaders in their careers and communities with an innovative approach to learning that prepares students to flourish in a constantly changing world. The Bay Path experience is nothing less than transformational.
“We are looking forward to growing with the United States Collegiate Athletic Association and seeing our program grow from this association,” said Bay Path Athletics Director Steven Smith. “With a strong contingent of schools in the northeast, this opens new possibilities for us on a regional and national level. Everyone is excited with the new opportunities ahead of us.”
Bay Path’s women-only undergraduate programs and coeducational graduate programs are offered both on campus and online, providing a flexible, 21st-century education for learners at all stages of life and career. Students at Bay Path find a supportive and diverse community, close mentoring, and rigorous preparation for success in a complex and globally interdependent society. They will graduate with the applied knowledge, portable skillset, and confidence to thrive in their professions, identify and realize their dreams, and make a lasting difference in the world.
“The USCAA is excited to welcome Bay Path University to the USCAA,” says USCAA CEO Matt Simms. “Bay Path has a long-standing tradition of outstanding education and athletic programs for young women. We expect them to be the trailblazer of Division 3 institutions to leave the NCAA for the USCAA, which is a better fit financially and from an opportunity standpoint. We look forward to Bay Path competing for the Small College National Championships this season.”
Bay Path will sponsor volleyball, soccer, and softball in the 2021-22 school year as they join the USCAA from the NCAA.
Bucks County Community College
Bucks County Community College is located in Newton, Pennsylvania, with a full-time enrollment of just over 2,800 students and have had athletics on campus since they opened in 1964. The plan for Bucks County Community College is to compete in the sports of men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, baseball, and softball. The college’s mission for athletics is to engage and support students in learning experiences that lead to not only academic excellence, but also a foundation for lifelong learning.
“The Bucks County Community College athletic administration, coaches, and student-athletes are excited about joining the USCAA and what this national affiliation will provide for our student-athletes,” said Director of Athletics Matthew Cipriano. “Centurion Athletics appreciates the support it has received from USCAA leadership and member schools during our transition. We look forward to getting back on the field and court after a 14-month pause due to the pandemic.”
BCCC is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and they offer certificate, occupational, and associates degrees almost 100 areas of study.
“The USCAA is thrilled at the addition of Bucks County Community College,” states USCAA CEO Matt Simms. “As our association has continued to grow and develop, it is apparent that we are the top choice for small colleges of different academic backgrounds and offerings.”
Miami University – Hamilton & Middletown
Located in Hamilton, Ohio with an enrollment of approximately 1,700 full-time students and over 30 majors, Miami University Hamilton is the largest of Miami's regional locations. Despite the enrollment numbers, Miami Hamilton is still a compact, friendly campus with an average class size of 20 students. The Harriers have been an extraordinarily successful athletic program in the Ohio Regional Campus Conference winning volleyball the last two years, baseball the last 15 and the overall All-Sports award in four of the last six years.
“Miami University Hamilton is thrilled to finally be a part of the USCAA after years of hoping to join such a top-notch organization,” said Director of Athletics Chris Settle. “Not only will this raise the bar for our student athletes athletically, but it will do so academically as well. Our teams are biting at the bit to be the first in school history to bring home a national championship.”
Miami Hamilton will sponsor women’s volleyball, men’s golf, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, and softball along with men’s and women’s tennis in 2021-22.
Miami Middletown was Ohio's very first regional campus, opening its doors in 1966. Enrollment is approximately 2,000 students. Miami Middletown is a compact, friendly campus with an average class size of 19 students. The College of Liberal Arts & Applied Science is based at Miami's regional locations. You can complete 15 in-demand bachelor’s degrees entirely at Miami Regionals. Miami Middletown, along with its sister regional campus Miami Hamilton, has among the lowest tuition rates of regional campuses in Ohio.
Athletically, the ThunderHawks have been a consistent high performer in the Ohio Regional Campus Conference winning men’s basketball divisional titles the last eight years and state championships in six of last seven. The women’s basketball team has won its divisional crown in three of the last five years, while the men’s tennis team has won conference and state titles the last two seasons.
"The ThunderHawks from Miami University Middletown are excited to become a member of the USCAA,” said Director of Athletics Cheryl Miller. “We look forward to a very competitive year in all of our sports. We also look forward to highlighting our scholastic athletes as well as our athletically talented students on a national stage. Everyone cannot wait until our fall seasons begin."
“We are happy to welcome Miami University Regional Campuses to the USCAA,” says USCAA CEO Matt Simms. “We have been targeting many of the Ohio Regional Campus Conference institutions for some time. Miami University Hamilton and Middletown will be strong fits for the USCAA competitively and we hope that this will be the spark for the addition of a new conference in the Great Lakes region of the country.”
York County Community College
Located in Wells, Maine, York County Community College provides academic, career, and transfer programs while serving to advance cultural, economic, and workforce development in York County and the State of Maine. At York County Community College, each student’s individual success is celebrated. While academic progress is an important part of their journey, at York County Community College they appreciate the value of life experience, personal development, self-awareness and the pursuit of learning.
The school will begin athletics in the Fall of 2021 with Men’s and Women’s Cross Country, Men’s Golf, Baseball and Softball under the leadership of President Michael Fischer and Director of Athletics Dr. Jennifer Laney. York County Community College will offer nine certificates and 23 Associate Degrees with eight programs being 100% available online.
“We are thrilled to be joining the USCAA. The mission of the association aligns perfectly with the purpose, values and mission of York County Community College,” said Laney, the newly hired Director of Athletics. “We look forward to the opportunity for our student-athletes to earn National recognition for both their academic and athletic achievements, as well as the opportunity to compete for a National Championship. Go Hawks!”
“The USCAA is excited to welcome York County Community College to the association,” said USCAA CEO Matt Simms. “This new addition further strengthens the Yankee Small College Conference and is a shining example of how the USCAA serves new and emerging athletic programs. We are confident in the future success of this program under the leadership of Mike Fischer and Jennifer Laney, who both have more than 20 years’ experience working with the USCAA.”
---
About the USCAA
The primary goal of the USCAA is to provide members with an association that is devoted to the growth, vision, and values of their institutions. The USCAA’s focus is to enhance member institutions through athletics. The association intends to achieve this goal by providing opportunities for small colleges to compete on an equal level of competition with schools of like size and athletic programs. The USCAA conducts 15 national championships, names All-Americans, recognizes scholar athletes, and promote USCAA member schools in various means. The USCAA believes that the integrity and credibility of the association and its members are paramount in accomplishing its goal.