Dec. 16, 2009

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade today announced that Lock Haven University will join the Atlantic 10 Conference as an affiliate member in field hockey, beginning in 2010. LHU will play a seven-game league schedule and is eligible for both the A-10 regular season and tournament championships next season.

"We're excited to have Lock Haven as future member of the Atlantic 10 for field hockey," says McGlade.

"They are a natural fit for our conference and a welcome addition."

Massachusetts captured the league's first Atlantic 10 Field Hockey Championship in 1988 and its 11 tittles are tops in league history. Also competing in A-10 field hockey are La Salle, Saint Joseph's, Saint Louis, Temple, West Chester and Richmond, which seized the 2009 A-10 crown, its sixth in the last seven years.

Lock Haven has advanced to the NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championship in each of the past four seasons while competing as a member of the Northeast Conference. LHU claimed its fourth consecutive NEC title as a result of its 2-0 win over Monmouth and finished the 2009 season with an 18-5 overall record. The Bald Eagles joined the NEC in 2004 and compiled a record of 43-3 in league play while capturing five regular season crowns.

Under the direction of head coach Pat Rudy, 70 student-athletes have garnered All-Conference distinction and 38 tabbed All-Americans. Rudy led Lock Haven to the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2000 the seventh national title in program history and has amassed a record of 249-60 in 14 seasons at LHU. She boasts a career record of 458-129-15.

"Lock Haven University is very proud to be joining the Atlantic 10 for field hockey. The conference is well respected in the sport, and the level of competition will be challenging," says Lock Haven director of athletics Sharon E. Taylor.

"At the same time, I believe our field hockey program will only contribute to the A-10's excellence. We're all looking forward to our association, now and into the future."

The top four teams at the conclusion of the regular season will advance to the 2010 Atlantic 10 Field Hockey Championship, to be held Nov. 5-6 on the campus of the University of Richmond.

About Lock Haven University
Lock Haven University is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth. Its 14 universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. Nearly 405,000 system alumni live and work in Pennsylvania. Located in north central Pennsylvania, 200 miles from Philadelphia and 170 miles from Pittsburgh, Lock Haven sponsors 18 intercollegiate sports, including Division I field hockey and wrestling. All other sports compete at the Division II level and are members of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).

About The A-10
The Atlantic 10 Conference was formed in 1975, is currently comprised of 14 member institutions and sponsors 21 championship sports. The mission and goal of the Atlantic 10 is to preserve, protect, and enhance the academic and athletic excellence of our members. The conference is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards and providing equitable championship experiences for more than 6,000 student-athletes, coaches, and support staff. Approaching the 35th anniversary in 2010-11, as a Division I Conference, we salute the outstanding members and leaders that have helped build the foundation of the Atlantic 10. The member institutions of the Atlantic 10 are the University of Dayton, Duquesne University, Fordham University, The George Washington University, La Salle University, University of Massachusetts, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, University of Rhode Island, University of Richmond, St. Bonaventure University, Saint Joseph's University, Saint Louis University, Temple University, and Xavier University.