HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Coker College vice president of athletics and athletic facilities Dr. Lynn Griffin announced today that Coker College has joined the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) as part of the newly created ECAC Division II Wrestling League set to begin competition this upcoming 2015-16 season.
In its inaugural campaign, the ECAC DII Wrestling League will be comprised of Coker College, Newberry College, Limestone College, Emmanuel College, Belmont Abbey College, King College, and The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
"We are excited to join the ECAC DII Wrestling League," Griffin said. "The ECAC has a long tradition of athletic excellence, and we are excited that our student-athletes will have the opportunity to earn ECAC Division II Wrestling League recognition for their accomplishments, as well as help build the wrestling presence throughout the region."
With the creation of the ECAC DII Wrestling League, wrestlers will have expanded opportunities to qualify for postseason competition and garner individual awards, while the ECAC reinforces its position as the nation's largest intercollegiate athletics conference.
"From a strategic perspective, this could not come at a better time for the Cobra wrestling program, and Coker College," said Coker head wrestling coach Cy Wainwright. "We are thrilled to be able to compete in the nation's largest conference as we look to gain more recognition for our student-athletes."
ABOUT ECAC
In the 76 years since its inception, the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) has emerged as the nation's largest Conference. The ECAC has grown considerably from its charter membership of 58, boasting over 300 member schools in Divisions I, II and III, ranging in location from Maine to Georgia, and westerly to Missouri. In the 2015-16 academic year, the ECAC will host nearly 100 championships in 32 men's and women's sports as the sponsors of over 5,800 varsity teams and 111,000 male and female athletes. For more information, visit www.ecacsports.com.