West Babylon, N.Y. – The East Coast Conference announced the addition of Lincoln University as an associate member in the sports of baseball and women’s soccer on Thursday afternoon. The Lions will start conference play in the two sports beginning in the 2018-19 season. 

Lincoln, located in Lincoln University, Pennsylvania (southeast Pa.), is the first degree-granting Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the United States. The Lions, Division II members since 2010, are members of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). However, the CIAA does not sponsor championships in the sports of baseball and women’s soccer, allowing the Lions to join the ECC in those select sports.

“We are pleased to bring on Lincoln University as an associate member for 2018-19,” said ECC Commissioner, Dr. Robert Dranoff. “The opportunity to help provide to this historic institution and its baseball and women's soccer student-athletes a conference affiliation was important for our ECC institutions and we look forward to working alongside President Brenda A. Allen and Director of Athletics Harry Stinson to offer a great experience for all involved.”

Lincoln’s Athletic Director, Harry Stinson III, added, “We are excited to join the ECC and join a great conference with institutions who excel academically and athletically. Our goal is to always provide great opportunities for our athletic teams to compete for conference championships and joining the ECC strategically positions our women's soccer and baseball teams with a great opportunity. We look forward to working with Dr. Dranoff, his staff, and the fellow institutions of the ECC.”

The addition of Lincoln will increase the number of schools participating in the ECC to eight in baseball and 10 in women’s soccer. With both sports previously having an odd number of teams competing, the Lions will fit seamlessly into scheduled byes on each team's conference schedule. 

Lincoln also becomes the 10th associate member in the ECC. The Lions join Adelphi University, Chestnut Hill College, Felician University, Franklin Pierce University, Kutztown University, Lincoln Memorial University, and Wilmington University, all of whom compete in women’s bowling, as well as indoor track & field participants, Holy Family University and Georgian Court University.