“We are very pleased to have received an invitation to join the Mountain East Conference,” said Davis & Elkins College President Chris A. Wood. “This is welcome news for not only the College and our 320 student-athletes, but parents and Senator fans as well. Athletic contests taking place closer to home allows all to share in the accomplishments of our student-athletes. We look forward to a partnership with the high caliber professionalism the MEC displays.”
Davis & Elkins will compete in the Mountain East beginning with the 2019-20 academic year. The Senators currently sponsor 19 of the conference’s 20 championship sports. With the addition of Davis & Elkins to the MEC, the league will be positioned to expand its conference championship sports to 23 — seven more than when the league began in 2013 — as early as the 2019-20 season.
“Today is a day we will remember for years to come,” said Davis & Elkins Director of Athletics Jamie Joss. “Joining the Mountain East, one of the nation’s premier NCAA Division II collegiate athletic conferences, provides a tremendous opportunity to align with conference members focused on enhancing the academic and athletic experiences of our student-athletes.
Related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Davis & Elkins College is a private, four-year liberal arts college located in the mountain highlands of Elkins, West Virginia, and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of College and Schools. With a mission to “prepare and inspire students for success and for thoughtful engagement in the world,” Davis & Elkins is leading the way to help students discover their passion in life.
“Adding Davis & Elkins as a full-time member is a great step for our league,” said MEC Commissioner Reid Amos. “The leadership at D&E has demonstrated a true commitment to the student-athlete experience which aligns well with the MEC and our other member institutions. Additionally, it allows the MEC to grow our number of championship sports to provide new opportunities for student-athletes across the Mountain East Conference.
The Davis & Elkins College Athletics Department, more commonly known as Senator Nation, is committed to Developing Excellence in student-athletes, coaches and staff through Education, Engagement, Character and Competition. D&E Athletics currently sponsors 21 intercollegiate sports, competing in 23 championship seasons, and currently has 320 student-athletes from 30 states and 21 countries.
“The invitation from the Mountain East is validation of the hard work and commitment our coaches and staff have put forth over the past five years through the support of President Wood and our Board of Trustees,” Joss added. “We are thrilled to develop new conference relationships and renew past in-state rivalries as we strive to compete at the highest level across all of our sports to help enhance the MEC’s mission of Providing Opportunity and Pursuing Excellence.”
D&E recently announced the successful completion of its “Secure the Future” campaign which raised in excess of $100 million.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Mountain East Conference, we are pleased to welcome Davis & Elkins as a full-time member into the league,” said Dr. Kendra Boggess, Concord University President and President of the MEC Board of Directors. “Davis & Elkins aligns well with the league from a geographical and philosophical standpoint.”
Established in 2013, the Mountain East Conference has quickly established itself as one of the top all-sports conferences in the country. In just five years, MEC institutions have produced two team NCAA Division II champions, seven national finalists and 13 semifinalists. In addition to the athletic success, the MEC recognizes over 1,500 student-athletes annually for their academic success and has additionally had seven “NCAA Elite 90” winners, which honors the individual with the highest cumulative grade-point average at the finals site for each of the NCAA’s 90 championships.
Davis & Elkins College and the Mountain East Conference will hold a joint press conference and celebration on September 12, 2018. More details will be announced at a later time.
