Hamilton will join the New England Small College Athletic Conference as a full-playing member effective the fall of 2011, it was announced today by Barry Mills, president of Bowdoin and chair of the NESCAC presidents, and Andrea Savage, Executive Director of the NESCAC.

The Continentals are moving from the Liberty League, where seven of their sports currently compete: men's and women's soccer, field hockey, men's and women's lacrosse, and men's and women's basketball. The remainder already participate in the NESCAC.

"We are pleased to welcome Hamilton College into the NESCAC as a full participant," said Mills. "The NESCAC places a high value on collegiality, and in making this decision, the conference recognizes its leadership position as a group guided by the highest educational standards and academic principles."

The NESCAC presidents weighed the practicalities and the cost of fully integrating Hamilton as a playing member of the conference while also considering the philosophical and educational missions of both member institutions and the conference as a whole. During the presidents' most recent meeting on April 15 in Brunswick, Maine, they agreed to have Hamilton participate as a full conference member.

"I am grateful to my fellow NESCAC presidents for the collegiality they showed Hamilton in reaching this decision," said Hamilton president Joan Hinde Stewart.

Implementation of the addition of Hamilton in the seven sports, which will include conference scheduling and championships, will be reviewed and completed by the athletic directors of the NESCAC prior to the start of the 2011-12 season.

The move would leave the Liberty League with the minimum seven men's and women's soccer teams required to maintain an automatic bid in each sport.