A New Hawk for America East

The Hartford Hawk will soon be getting to know the River Hawk.

UMass Lowell’s athletic teams will move up to Division I, joining the America East Conference. The America East Board of Presidents unanimously approved accepting the University of Massachusetts Lowell as a member of the conference effective July 1, 2013. The move also received the unanimous support of UMass Lowell’s Faculty Senate Executive Committee and Student Government Association.

"UMass Lowell is an outstanding addition to our membership and an ideal fit for America East,” Stony Brook University President and Chairman of the America East Board of Presidents Dr. Samuel L. Stanley said. “It is a public research university within our conference’s geographic footprint that highly values academics while also excelling in athletics."

"UMass Lowell is proud to have been chosen to join the America East Conference, not just on the basis of the strengths of our outstanding athletics programs and facilities, but also because of the university’s excellence in academics, research and vibrant campus life,” said UMass Lowell Chancellor Marty Meehan.

"I congratulate UMass Lowell on this exciting accomplishment and I look forward to cheering on the River Hawks in the upcoming season,” said Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick.

UMass-Lowell's membership will keep the America East at nine members. Boston University is leaving the conference at the end of this year.

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