UDC to Become an Associate Member of the East Coast Conference

Washington, DC : July 17, 2009--Patricia A. Thomas, director of athletics for the University of the District of Columbia, has announced that the University will participate as an associate member of the East Coast Conference (ECC) in men’s and women’s tennis, effective fall 2009.  The NCAA Division II East Coast Conference (ECC) currently incorporates 8 schools, stretching from Eastern Long Island, New York, to the Southern Central region of Connecticut.

 UDC will participate as an associate member of the East Coast Conference in men's and women's tennis.  Member schools that sponsor tennis include Dowling College, CW Post, Molloy, Queens College and St. Thomas Aquinas.

  “The ECC provides a competitive opportunity among outstanding academic institutions.  Our affiliation with the ECC enhances the university's ability to provide a positive experience for our student-athletes…” said Thomas.

 “We are very excited to have University of District of Columbia join the East Coast Conference as associate members in men's and women's tennis,” ECC Commissioner Bob Dranoff said.  “This addition helps strengthen these sports in our conference, expand our presence into a new area and assist UDC with the opportunity to gain conference affiliation and post season play.  We look forward to working with Pat Thomas and the UDC tennis teams.”

 This is the University’s first affiliation with an athletic conference. In keeping with ECC rules, the Firebirds women’s tennis team will play during the fall and the men will play in the spring of each year.