SELINSGROVE, PA - Landmark Conference will be the name of the new NCAA Division III athletic association formed last December by seven like-minded colleges and universities in the eastern United States , conference athletic directors announced at their inaugural meeting on June 9.

The members of the Landmark Conference are the Catholic University of America, of Washington, D.C.; Drew University of Madison, N.J.; Goucher College of Baltimore, Md.; Juniata College of Huntingdon, Pa.; Moravian College of Bethlehem, Pa.; Susquehanna University of Selinsgrove, Pa.; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy of King's Point, N.Y.

The most literal inspiration for the Landmark Conference's name came from the many well-known physical landmarks of the Mid-Atlantic region encompassed by the conference.

The name also reflects the significance of the institutions' decision to align themselves with other colleges and universities of similar size, educational philosophies, and high academic standards.  It highlights the Landmark Conference's intention to stand out not only in athletics, but also in academics, emphasizing educational achievement and the important role athletics plays as part of the undergraduate experience—and as a defining characteristic of the member institutions.

“We are delighted to be creating a conference from the ground up with these other outstanding institutions,” said Susquehanna University President L. Jay Lemons. “The Landmark Conference will provide new competitive opportunities for Susquehanna student athletes and also provide an opportunity for our schools to collaborate on initiatives outside of athletics. The idea of having an annual undergraduate research gathering is something that fellow presidents are excited about. Susquehanna will also become better known in New York , New Jersey , Baltimore , Washington , D.C. and northern Virginia . It's a great opportunity for the Susquehanna flag to be flown higher.”

Demonstrating the Landmark Conference's dedication to helping student-athletes balance their obligations and excel across disciplines, conference leaders have already decided to hold long-distance games only on weekends, minimizing the time student-athletes will have to spend away from class.

In addition to competing on the playing field, members of the new conference will explore ways to develop and expand curricular and co-curricular relationships among their faculty members, administrators, coaches, and students.

The members of the Landmark Conference will compete in baseball, basketball, cross country, field hockey, indoor and outdoor track and field, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, and volleyball.

The conference will begin competition in fall 2007. Teams from the seven colleges and universities will continue to participate in their current conferences through spring 2007.  An eighth member institution—and a commissioner for the Landmark Conference—are expected to be announced by the end of the summer. UPDATE: John Reeves named Landmark Conference commissioner - August 25, 2006
UPDATE: The University of Scranton joins Landmark Conference - November 7, 2006