HIGH POINT, NC- Chowan University begins a new era in athletic history after being accepted for associate membership in Conference Carolinas.  The Hawks will compete in Conference Carolinas play in women's golf, men's soccer, women's soccer, men's lacrosse, and women's lacrosse effective January 2017. 

Chowan was unanimously approved for associate membership in October, and is the second institution that will compete in Conference Carolinas as such.

Ozzie McFarland, Vice President/Director of Athletics at Chowan noted, "We are extremely thankful to Conference Carolinas for accepting us as associate members for women's golf, men's soccer, women's soccer, men's lacrosse and women's lacrosse.  These are all sports that are not sponsored by the CIAA…We look forward to healthy, competitive interactions with each member institution."

Chowan University President, Dr. M. Christopher White added, "Chowan's athletic programs have fine reputations for sportsmanship and competitiveness. Our institution is experiencing remarkable growth in almost every aspect.  Our goal is for each program to be competitive on the regional and national level.  Conference affiliation greatly increases the opportunities we can provide for the student-athletes in sports that previously competed independently."

Conference Carolinas Commissioner, Dr. Alan Patterson stated, "Conference Carolinas and Division II enunciate a care for student-athletes standing equally beside the educational value of striving to be the best possible.  Conference Carolinas members believe Chowan students in the associated sports deserve the opportunity to experience conference competition and the excitement of automatic qualification".

"Chowan currently competes without league affiliation in the aforementioned varsity sports;" McFarland added, "having a conference home is incredibly important to a college athletic team.  It assists with scheduling, national play-off opportunities and individual recognition for student-athletes and coaches". 

Located in Northeast North Carolina, and recognized as one of the fastest growing private institutions in the state, Chowan remains committed to expanding opportunities for athletic competition and is expected to fit within the growing landscape of Conference Carolinas.  Patterson added, "Recognizing the similarities of Chowan University with current Conference Carolinas members it was reasonable to provide conference-quality competition for the specific five sports".

Conference Carolinas is a NCAA Division II athletic conference headquartered in High Point, North Carolina with member schools located in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.  The league is comprised of twelve teams including:  Barton, Belmont Abbey, Converse, Emmanuel (GA), Erskine, King, Lees-McRae, Limestone, Mount Olive, North Greenville, Pfeiffer and Southern Wesleyan.
 
Emmanuel (GA) and Southern Wesleyan are in the final stages of the NCAA Division II membership process and will be considered full members in 2016 and 2017, respectively.  The league has a rich tradition in roots that date back to its inception in 1930.