Utica has taken the next step in the application process for its men’s team to join the SUNYAC during that league’s spring meetings.
Administrators from the school last week made a presentation to the SUNYAC committee.
After review, the league decided to proceed with a site visit to the college, scheduled to occur this fall.
The Pioneers play in the ECAC West, but last year applied for admission to the SUNYAC after that league changed its charter to allow non-State University of New York schools.
Meanwhile, NCAA assistant director of championships Sherard Clinkscales recently confirmed that starting next season, the Division III men’s tournament will no longer award a Pool B bid. Those had been reserved for teams in leagues not eligible for an automatic qualifier bid from Pool A.
Entering the 2011-12 season, only the five remaining teams in the ECAC West would have been eligible for Pool B. The NCAA requires that a minimum of seven teams be included in Pool B to award a bid from that category of teams.
An extra bid will be added to Pool C to maintain the current tournament size of 11 teams.
