Introduction
The Mountain East Conference was founded in 2013 as part of NCAA Division II. The Mountain East Conference is located in the east-central United States, and consists of the states of West Virginia, Maryland, and the Appalachian region of Ohio. The Mountain East Conference competes in 17 sports, both men’s and women’s, spread amongst its eleven schools. These schools range from very small private universities to larger public schools, creating a very unique environment for competition.
History of the Mountain East Conference
The Mountain East Conference was founded November 1st, 2013 by the former members of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC). The WVIAC originally began in 1924 but was formally founded in 1938. When the WVIAC disbanded in 2013, the eleven members of the conference split off to form the Mountain East Conference. The Mountain East Conference is affiliated with NCAA Division II.
Member Institutions
The Mountain East Conference consists of eleven schools spanning three US states. The institutions include:
- Charleston -University of Charleston
- Fairmont -Fairmont State University
- Glenville -Glenville State College
- Granville -Ohio Valley University
- Athens -University of Rio Grande
- Salem -Concord University
- Shepherdstown -Shepherd University
- West Liberty -West Liberty University
- Wheeling -Wheeling Jesuit University
- West Virginia State -West Virginia State University
- West Virginia Wesleyan -West Virginia Wesleyan College
Sports and Championships
The Mountain East Conference offers competition in the following sports: Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Men’s and Women’s Cross Country, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track & Field, Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field, Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Men’s and Women’s Swimming & Diving, Men’s and Women’s Tennis, Men’s Baseball, Women’s Softball, and Men’s and Women’s Wrestling.
The Mountain East Conference Championships are held annually in almost all of the sports offered. The championship games, as well as many regular season games, are held at University Campuses and outside neutral venues. The Mountain East Conference Tournament is held in all sports, from Basketball to Soccer, and Wrestling to Baseball.
Notable Achievements
Since its founding, the Mountain East Conference has had teams reach their respective sport’s National Championship game many times. In Basketball, University of Charleston has won the conference twice in a row (2015 and 2016). In Soccer, Wheeling Jesuit University (2015) and Shepherd University (2016) both made it to the National Semifinals. In Baseball, West Liberty University won the Division II World Series in 2015.
Rivalries and Operational Guidelines
The Mountain East Conference has many rivalries between schools, particularly in basketball and soccer, such as West Virginia State vs. West Liberty, and West Virginia Wesleyan vs. Shepherd. The conference also operates according to a set of operational guidelines that allows for equality amongst all members of the conference. This includes scheduling, divisional alignment, postseason tournament format, and other related issues. The conferences office is located in Farmington, West Virginia, and is run by a commissioner and executive committee consisting of representatives from each of the conference’s schools.
Role and Impact
The Mountain East Conference has grown in popularity throughout the east and now serves as one of the premier Division II conferences in the country. The conference is often at the forefront college athletics in the local and national region, both for sports and academics. The various member schools have high overall academic achievement, and many athletes go on to pursue professional opportunities after graduation. The conference also serves as an example of how competition within a region can foster an environment of collegial sportsmanship.
Future Prospects
The Mountain East Conference has seen an increasing amount of success in recent years, and with the addition of new members, such as the University of Notre Dame, Ohio University Zanesville, and the University of Rio Grande, the conference has continued to expand. It is currently looking to add more sports in the future, such as beach volleyball, wrestling, and lacrosse. The conference is also looking to add new members, with the hopes of extending the Mountain East Conference into other states, such as Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
With the potential for more sports, more schools, and a larger presence in the college athletics landscape, the Mountain East Conference is an entity that should be watched closely in the coming years. It has the potential to become one of the most popular NCAA Division II conferences in the nation, and could have an impact on the local and national sports scene like no other.
Conclusion
The Mountain East Conference has been a strong presence in college sports since its establishment in 2013. It is currently home to eleven schools, ranging from small private universities to larger public universities, and has been at the forefront of collegiate sports and academics on the east coast. The conference boasts success in various sports, multiple championships, and strong rivalries and honors. The conference is also planning to expand in both sports and members, meaning it has plenty of potential to become one of the top NCAA Division II conferences in the country.