The Empire 8 is an intercollegiate athletic conference

Athletic conference

An athletic conference is a collection of sports teams, playing competitively against each other at the professional, collegiate, or high school level. In many cases conferences are subdivided into smaller and smaller divisions, with the best teams competing at successively higher levels...

 affiliated with the NCAA

National Collegiate Athletic Association

The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...

’s Division III.

Members

Full member institutions include:

Institution	Location	Nickname	Founded	Affiliation	Enrollment
Alfred University Alfred University Alfred University is a small, comprehensive university in the Village of Alfred in Western New York, USA, an hour and a half south of Rochester and two hours southeast of Buffalo. Alfred has an undergraduate population of around 2,000, and approximately 300 graduate students...	Alfred, New York Alfred (village), New York Alfred is a village located in the Town of Alfred in Allegany County, New York, USA. The population was 3,954 at the 2000 census. The village is named after Alfred the Great....	Saxons	1836	Private	2,055
Elmira College Elmira College Elmira College is a coeducational private liberal arts college located in Elmira, in New York State's Southern Tier region.The college is noted as the oldest college still in existence which granted degrees to women that were the equivalent of those given to men...	Elmira, New York Elmira, New York Elmira is a city in Chemung County, New York, USA. It is the principal city of the 'Elmira, New York Metropolitan Statistical Area' which encompasses Chemung County, New York. The population was 29,200 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Chemung County.The City of Elmira is located in...	Soaring Eagles	1855	Private	1,170
Hartwick College Hartwick College Hartwick College is a non-denominational, private, four-year liberal arts and sciences college located in Oneonta, New York, in the United States. The institution was founded as Hartwick Seminary in 1797 through the will of John Christopher Hartwick, and is now known as Hartwick College...	Oneonta, New York Oneonta, New York Oneonta is a city in southern Otsego County, New York, USA. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, had a population of 13,901. Its nickname is "City of the Hills." While the word "oneonta" is of undetermined origin, it is popularly believed to mean "place of open rocks" in the Iroquois language...	Hawks	1797	Private	1,450
Ithaca College Ithaca College Ithaca College is a private college located on the South Hill of Ithaca, New York. The school was founded by William Egbert in 1892 as a conservatory of music. The college has a strong liberal arts core, but also offers several pre-professional programs and some graduate programs. The college is...	Ithaca, New York Ithaca, New York The city of Ithaca, is a city in upstate New York and the county seat of Tompkins County, as well as the largest community in the Ithaca-Tompkins County metropolitan area...	Bombers	1892	Private	6,098
Nazareth College Nazareth College (New York) Nazareth College of Rochester, NY, is a private liberal arts college in Pittsford, New York, a suburb of Rochester.-History:Nazareth was founded in 1924 by the Sisters of St. Joseph. The first class, comprising 25 young women, began their studies in a large mansion on Lake Avenue in Rochester, New...	Pittsford, New York Pittsford (village), New York Pittsford is a village in Monroe County, New York, United States. The population was 1,418 at the 2000 census. It is named after Pittsford, Vermont, the native town of a founding father....	Golden Flyers	1924	Private	3,140
St. John Fisher College	Pittsford, New York Pittsford (village), New York Pittsford is a village in Monroe County, New York, United States. The population was 1,418 at the 2000 census. It is named after Pittsford, Vermont, the native town of a founding father....	Cardinals	1948	Private	2,500
Stevens Institute of Technology Stevens Institute of Technology Stevens Institute of Technology is a technological university located on a campus in Hoboken, New Jersey, USA – founded in 1870 with an 1868 bequest from Edwin A. Stevens. It is known for its engineering, science, and technological management curricula.The institute has produced leading...	Hoboken, New Jersey Hoboken, New Jersey Hoboken is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population was 50,005. The city is part of the New York metropolitan area and contains Hoboken Terminal, a major transportation hub for the region...	Ducks	1870	Private	1,780
Utica College Utica College Utica College is a private university located in Utica, New York. The history of the college dates back to the 1930s when Syracuse University began offering extension courses in the Utica area. Syracuse University established Utica College as a four-year institution in 1946, and in 1995, UC ...	Utica, New York Utica, New York Utica is a city in and the county seat of Oneida County, New York, United States. The population was 62,235 at the 2010 census, an increase of 2.6% from the 2000 census....	Pioneers	1946	Private	2,310

Football affiliation

• Springfield College
  Springfield College
  Springfield College is a private, coeducational university located in the City of Springfield, Massachusetts. Springfield College is most famous as the site where the sport of basketball was invented...
  
   (ending after 2011 season)
• Frostburg State University
  Frostburg State University
  Frostburg State University is a four-year university located on a campus in Frostburg, Maryland, in Western Maryland, and is part of the University System of Maryland. FSU is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.-History:...
  
   (starting 2011)
• Salisbury University
  Salisbury University
  Salisbury University is a public university in Salisbury, Maryland.According to U.S. News and World Report's 2009 America's Best Colleges index, "In guidebooks and surveys by U.S...
  
   (starting 2011)

About the league

The Empire 8 can trace its beginnings back to 1964 with the founding of the Independent College Athletic Conference (ICAC). At this time, the conference was made up of Alfred University, Clarkson University, Hobart College, Rensselaer, St. Lawrence University, and Union College. After Union left the league, Ithaca College and Rochester Institute of Technology joined the ICAC.

In 1991, the ICAC regrouped to become the Empire Athletic Association (EAA). Hobart/William Smith, RPI, and St. Lawrence left in 1993, to be replaced by Elmira College, Nazareth College, and Utica College. Alfred University re-joined and St. John Fisher College joined the league in 1998.

The EAA became the Empire 8 in 1999, hosting 13 sports.

Stevens Institute of Technology joined the Empire 8 as a full member in 2007 and as a field hockey member beginning in 2006. Rochester Institute of Technology announced on June 5, 2009 that it planned to leave the Empire 8 for the Liberty League

Liberty League

The Liberty League is an intercollegiate athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA’s Division III. Originally founded in 1995 as the Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association, was renamed during the summer of 2004 to the current name...

 beginning in the fall of 2011. Houghton College

Houghton College

Houghton College is a Christian liberal arts college affiliated with the Wesleyan Church. The college is a member of both the Christian College Consortium and the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities...

 announced that they will join the Empire 8 in 2012 as they transition from a NAIA

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...

 school to NCAA Division III status, though they will be ineligible for the postseason until they become full D-III members in 2016.

The E8 sponsors intercollegiate athletic competition in men's baseball

Baseball

Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...

, men's and women's basketball

Basketball

Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...

, men's and women's cross country

Cross country running

Cross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...

, women's field hockey

Field hockey

Field Hockey, or Hockey, is a team sport in which a team of players attempts to score goals by hitting, pushing or flicking a ball into an opposing team's goal using sticks...

, men's football

American football

American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...

, men's golf

Golf

Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....

, men's and women's lacrosse

Lacrosse

Lacrosse is a team sport of Native American origin played using a small rubber ball and a long-handled stick called a crosse or lacrosse stick, mainly played in the United States and Canada. It is a contact sport which requires padding. The head of the lacrosse stick is strung with loose mesh...

, men's and women’s soccer, women's softball

Softball

Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...

, men's and women's swimming

Swimming (sport)

Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...

 and diving

Diving

Diving is the sport of jumping or falling into water from a platform or springboard, sometimes while performing acrobatics. Diving is an internationally-recognized sport that is part of the Olympic Games. In addition, unstructured and non-competitive diving is a recreational pastime.Diving is one...

, men's and women's tennis

Tennis

Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...

, men's and women's track and field

Track and field

Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...

, and women's volleyball

Volleyball

Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...

.

Basketball

Alfred University, Elmira College, Hartwick College, Ithaca College, Nazareth College, Rochester Institute of Technology, St. John Fisher College, Stevens Institute of Technology, and Utica College compete in Empire 8 basketball. Both the men's and women's basketball championships were first held in 2002.

Champions

• 2002: Ithaca College
• 2003: St. John Fisher College
• 2004: St. John Fisher College
• 2005: St. John Fisher College
• 2006: St. John Fisher College
• 2007: St. John Fisher College
• 2008: Nazareth College

Player of the year

• 2000: Pat Britton (Ithaca)
• 2001: Devon Downing (Alfred), Brandon Redmond (RIT)
• 2002: Brandon Redmond (RIT)
• 2003: Jim Evans (Nazareth)
• 2004: Tyler Schulz (Ithaca)
• 2005: James "Big Game" Watkins (Hartwick College)
• 2006: Matthew Simoneschi (Hartwick College)
• 2007: Matthew Simoneschi (Hartwick College)
• 2008: Matthew Simoneschi (Hartwick College)
• 2009: Sean Burton (Ithaca)

Rookie of the year

• 2000: DeWaun Cheatham (Utica)
• 2001: David Orr (Hartwick)
• 2002: Jeff Sidney (St. John Fisher)
• 2003: Fran Snyder (RIT)
• 2004: Dillon Stein (Alfred)
• 2005: Matthew Simoneschi(Hartwick)
• 2006: Jan Cocozziello (Hartwick)
• 2007: Corey McAdam (Nazareth)
• 2008: Shane Foster (RIT), Ozell Franklin (St. John Fisher)
• 2009: Mark Blazek (Hartwick)

Coach of the year

• 2000: Bob McVean (RIT)
• 2001: Jay Murphy (Alfred)
• 2002: Jim Mullins (Ithaca)
• 2003: Rob Kornaker (St. John Fisher)
• 2004: Rob Kornaker (St. John Fisher)
• 2005: Rob Kornaker (St. John Fisher)
• 2006: Andy Goodemote (Utica), Rob Kornaker (St. John Fisher)
• 2007: Rob Kornaker (St. John Fisher)
• 2008: Jim Mullins (Ithaca)
• 2009: Jim Mullins (Ithaca)

Champions

• 2002: Ithaca College
• 2003: St. John Fisher College
• 2004: Ithaca College
• 2005: Ithaca College
• 2006: St. John Fisher College
• 2007: Ithaca College
• 2008: Utica College
• 2009: Stevens Institute of Technology

Player of the year

• 2000: Amanda Waloven (St. John Fisher)
• 2001: Tiffany Hurley (Hartwick)
• 2002: Tiffany Hurley (Hartwick)
• 2003: Kerri Brown (Ithaca)
• 2004: Jennifer Parker (Elmira)
• 2005: Stephanie Cleary (Ithaca)
• 2006: Melissa Hartman (St. John Fisher)
• 2007: Ava Thomas (Utica)
• 2008: Dani Dudek (Stevens)
• 2009: Dani Dudek (Stevens)

Rookie of the year

• 2000: Roxanne Simpson (Utica)
• 2001: Jennie Swatling (Ithaca)
• 2002: Kadi Burgess (Nazareth)
• 2003: Jennifer Parker (Elmira)
• 2004: Lindsay Wilson (Hartwick)
• 2005: Kourtney Troutman (Elmira)
• 2006: Whitney Frament (Utica)
• 2007: Whitney Smith (Nazareth)
• 2008: Jessica Berry (Utica)
• 2009: Sharon Dennis (RIT)

Coach of the year

• 2000: Jennifer Kroll (Ithaca)
• 2001: Dan Raymond (Ithaca), Laura Hungerford (RIT)
• 2002: Dan Raymond (Ithaca)
• 2003: Michele Davis (Utica)
• 2004: Daphne Thompson (Hartwick)
• 2005: Dan Raymond (Ithaca)
• 2006: Matt Donohue (Elmira)
• 2007: Deb Buff (RIT)
• 2008: Jon Hochberg (Stevens)
• 2009: Dan Raymond (Ithaca)

Football

Alfred University, Hartwick College, Ithaca College, St. John Fisher College, Springfield College and Utica College compete in Empire 8 football. The men's football championship was first held in 2002.

Champions

• 2002: Ithaca College
• 2003: Ithaca College
• 2004: Ithaca College, St. John Fisher College
• 2005: Ithaca College
• 2006: Springfield College, St. John Fisher College
• 2007: Hartwick College, St. John Fisher College
• 2008: Ithaca College
• 2009: Alfred University, St. John Fisher College

Player of the Year

• 2002: Dan Pincelli (Hartwick)
• 2003: Jesse Raynor (Alfred)
• 2004: Brenton Brady (Alfred)
• 2005: Josh Felicetti (Ithaca)

The Player of the Year award was discontinued in favor of Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year Awards in 2006.

Offensive Player of the Year

• 2006: Chris Sharpe (Springfield)
• 2007: Jason Boltus (Hartwick)
• 2008: Jason Boltus (Hartwick)

Defensive Player of the Year

• 2006: Gene Lang (St. John Fisher)
• 2007: Steve Stepnick (St. John Fisher)
• 2008: Matt Scalice (Ithaca)

Rookie of the year

• 2002: Josh Fellicetti (Ithaca)
• 2003: Aaron Meyers (Alfred)
• 2004: Jamie Donovan (Ithaca)
• 2005: Jason Boltus (Hartwick)
• 2006: Jared Manzer (Alfred)
• 2007: Jason Springer (Norwich)
• 2008: Tom Secky (Alfred)

Coach of the Year

• 2002: Paul Vosburgh (St. John Fisher)
• 2003: Mike Welch (Ithaca)
• 2004: Paul Vosburgh (St. John Fisher)
• 2005: Dave Murray (Alfred)
• 2006: Mike DeLong (Springfield)
• 2007: Mark Carr (Hartwick)
• 2008: Mike Welch (Ithaca)

Golf

Elmira College, Hartwick College, Nazareth College, St. John Fisher College and Utica College compete in Empire 8 golf. The men's golf championship was first held in 2001.

Champions

• 2001: St. John Fisher College
• 2002: Nazareth College
• 2003: Nazareth College
• 2004: St. John Fisher College
• 2005: St. John Fisher College
• 2006: St. John Fisher College
• 2007: St. John Fisher College
• 2008: St. John Fisher College

Player of the year

• 2002: Jason Baker (St. John Fisher)
• 2003: Brian Seeley (Nazareth)
• 2004: Mike Stackus (St. John Fisher)
• 2005: Zach Fuller (St. John Fisher)
• 2006:
• 2007: Scott Harris (St. John Fisher)
• 2008: Scott Harris (St. John Fisher)

Rookie of the year

• 2002: Kevin Kaye (Nazareth)
• 2003: Derrick Wong (St. John Fisher)
• 2004: Scott McNeil (Utica)
• 2005: Dave McKenna (Elmira)
• 2006:
• 2007: Tom Muto (St. John Fisher)
• 2008: Ben Herrmann (Nazareth)

Coach of the year

• 2002: Marty Coddington (Nazareth)
• 2003: Not Awarded
• 2004: Bob Simms (St. John Fisher)
• 2005: Bob Simms (St. John Fisher)
• 2006:
• 2007: Marty Coddington (Nazareth)
• 2008: Marty Coddington (Nazareth), Bob Simms (St. John Fisher)

Soccer

Alfred University, Elmira College, Ithaca College, Nazareth College, Rochester Institute of Technology, St. John Fisher College, Stevens Institute of Technology, and Utica College compete in Empire 8 men's soccer. The same schools with the addition of Hartwick College compete in Empire 8 women's soccer. The men's and women's soccer championships were first held in 2001.

Champions

• 2001: Alfred University, Rochester Institute of Technology
• 2002: Ithaca College
• 2003: Alfred University, Nazareth College
• 2004: Rochester Institute of Technology
• 2005: Nazareth College, Rochester Institute of Technology
• 2006: Nazareth College
• 2007: Stevens Institute of Technology
• 2008: Stevens Institute of Technology
• 2009: Stevens Institute of Technology
• 2010: Stevens Institute of Technology

Player of the Year

• 1999: Steve Fisher (Nazareth)
• 2000: Steve Fisher (Nazareth)
• 2001: Cody Ostrum (RIT)
• 2002: Brian Lenzo (RIT)
• 2003: Jefferson Dargout (Nazareth)
• 2004: Mike Lawson (RIT)
• 2005: Mike Lawson (RIT)
• 2007: Luke Lennox (St. John Fisher)
• 2008: Terrence Johnson (Stevens)
• 2009: Nolan "The T-Bone" Sandberg (Stevens)
• 2010: Nolan "The T-Bone" Sandberg (Stevens)

The Player of the Year award was suspended in 2006 in favor of Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year Awards. The award was reinstated in 2007 for men's soccer only.

Rookie of the Year

• 1999: Keith McManus (Elmira)
• 2000: Trae Lower (RIT)
• 2001: Ben Visnyei (Ithaca)
• 2002: Mike Lawson (RIT)
• 2003: Bobby Linaberry (Alfred)
• 2004: Adam Blanchard (St. John Fisher)
• 2005: Eric Ferguson (Ithaca), Chris Somers (RIT)
• 2006: Andrew Canterbury (Elmira)
• 2007: Andrew McIntosh (St. John Fisher)
• 2008: Andy Alaimo (Nazareth)

Doug May Memorial Coach of the Year

• 1999: Keith McManus (Nazareth)
• 2000: Bill Garno (RIT)
• 2001: Ken Hassler (Alfred)
• 2002: Andy Byrne (Ithaca)
• 2003: Ken Hassler (Alfred)
• 2004: Andy Byrne (Ithaca)
• 2005: Andy Byrne (Ithaca)
• 2006: Bill Garno (RIT)
• 2007: Steve Christenson (Utica)
• 2008: Andy Byrne (Ithaca)

Champions

• 2001: Nazareth College
• 2002: Ithaca College, Nazareth College
• 2003: Ithaca College, Nazareth College
• 2004: Ithaca College, Nazareth College
• 2005: Ithaca College, Nazareth College
• 2006: Nazareth College
• 2007: Ithaca College
• 2008: Ithaca College

Player of the Year

• 1999: Michelle Urbanski (Nazareth)
• 2000: Erin DeMarco (Ithaca)
• 2001: Jaime Snyder (Nazareth)
• 2002: Heidi Brown (Nazareth)
• 2003: Katie Allardice (Elmira)
• 2004: Kristina Cristofori (Nazareth)
• 2005: Ashley Williams (Ithaca)

The Player of the Year award was discontinued in favor of Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year Awards in 2006.

Offensive Player of the Year

• 2006: Chelsey Feldman (Ithaca)
• 2007: Chelsey Feldman (Ithaca)
• 2008: Amy Scheffer (Ithaca)

Defensive Player of the Year

• 2006: Ashley Williams (Ithaca)
• 2007: Nikki Rice (Ithaca)
• 2008: Salme Cook (Stevens)

Rookie of the Year

• 1999: Stephanie Nardini (Nazareth)
• 2000: Becca Berry (Ithaca)
• 2001: Rachel Thau (Ithaca)
• 2002: Jennifer Tuttle (Elmira)
• 2003: Ashley Baker (Utica)
• 2004: Becca Malinowski (Hartwick)
• 2005: Chelsey Feldman (Ithaca)
• 2006: Danielle Smith (Utica)
• 2007: Erica Conte (Nazareth)
• 2008: Kaylee Benz (Nazareth)

Coach of the Year

• 1999: Gail Mann (Nazareth), Kate Stoehr (Utica)
• 2000: Tom Natalie (RIT)
• 2001: Jill McCabe (St. John Fisher)
• 2002: Franco Bari (Elmira)
• 2003: Jessica Critchlow (Utica)
• 2004: Mindy Quigg (Ithaca)
• 2005: Jill McCabe (St. John Fisher)
• 2006: Tom Natalie (RIT)
• 2007: Mindy Quigg (Ithaca)
• 2008: Mindy Quigg (Ithaca)

Volleyball

Alfred University, Elmira College, Hartwick College, Ithaca College, Nazareth College, Rochester Institute of Technology, St. John Fisher College, Stevens Institute of Technology, and Utica College compete in Empire 8 volleyball. The women's volleyball championship was first held in 2001.

Champions

• 2001: Nazareth College
• 2002: Nazareth College
• 2003: Nazareth College
• 2004: Ithaca College
• 2005: Ithaca College
• 2006: Nazareth College
• 2007: Stevens Institute of Technology
• 2008: Stevens Institute of Technology

Player of the Year

• 2000: Leah Malliris (Elmira)
• 2001: Christa Downey (Nazareth)
• 2002: Christa Downey (Nazareth)
• 2003: Tricia Jones (Nazareth)
• 2004: Tricia Jones (Nazareth)
• 2005: Christina Anabel (RIT)
• 2006: Amanda Hubbard (Ithaca)
• 2007: Melissa Rhode (Stevens)
• 2008: Melanie Volk (Stevens)

Libero/Defensive Player of the Year

• 2006: Mary Schaefer (Ithaca)
• 2007: Jenna Waldron (St. John Fisher)
• 2008: Mallory Clary (Nazareth)

Rookie of the Year

• 2000: Not Awarded
• 2001: Sarah Ballard (RIT), Lori Wilkinson (St. John Fisher)
• 2002: Chris Anabel (RIT)
• 2003: Colleen Kiser (St. John Fisher)
• 2004: Katie Hause (Ithaca)
• 2005: Alyssa Ziobrowski (St. John Fisher)
• 2006: Corinna Doctor (Ithaca)
• 2007: Christina Evans (Hartwick)
• 2008: Audrey Zimmerman (Nazareth)

Coach of the Year

• 2000: Rhonda Faunce (Elmira)
• 2001: Linda Downey (Nazareth)
• 2002: Linda Downey (Nazareth)
• 2003: Roger Worsley (RIT)
• 2004: Janet Donovan (Ithaca)
• 2005: Jim Chan (St. John Fisher)
• 2006: Cal Wickens (Nazareth)
• 2007: J.J. O'Connell (Stevens)
• 2008: J.J. O'Connell (Stevens)

Baseball

Hartwick College, Ithaca College, Rochester Institute of Technology, St. John Fisher College and Utica College compete in Empire 8 baseball. The baseball championship was first held in 2002.

Champions

• 2002: Ithaca College
• 2003: Ithaca College
• 2004: Ithaca College
• 2005: Ithaca College
• 2006: Ithaca College
• 2007: Ithaca College
• 2008: Ithaca College

Player of the Year

• 2002: Geoff Osborne (St. John Fisher)
• 2003: Kyle Wilkins (Ithaca)
• 2004: Andy Campbell (St. John Fisher)
• 2005: Andy Campbell (St. John Fisher)
• 2006: Matt Fuller (St. John Fisher)
• 2007: Geoff Dornes (RIT)
• 2008: Geoff Dornes (RIT)

Rookie of the Year

• 2002: Nick Bergman (St. John Fisher)
• 2003: Andy Campbell (St. John Fisher)
• 2004: Chris Botsford (St. John Fisher)
• 2005: Rob Raux (Ithaca)
• 2006: Drew Ash (Ithaca)
• 2007: Geoff Dornes (RIT)
• 2008: David Ahonen (Ithaca)

Coach of the Year

• 2002: Barry Shelton (Hartwick), George Valesente (Ithaca)
• 2003: George Valesente (Ithaca)
• 2004: George Valesente (Ithaca)
• 2005: George Valesente (Ithaca)
• 2006: George Valensente (Ithaca)
• 2007: Dan Pepicelli (St. John Fisher)
• 2008: George Valesente (Ithaca), Rob Grow (RIT)

Softball

Alfred University, Elmira College, Hartwick College, Ithaca College, Rochester Institute of Technology, St. John Fisher College and Utica College compete in Empire 8 softball. The women's softball championship was first held in 2002.

Champions

• 2002: Ithaca College
• 2003: Ithaca College
• 2004: Ithaca College
• 2005: Ithaca College
• 2006: Ithaca College
• 2007: Ithaca College
• 2008: St. John Fisher College
• 2009: St. John Fisher College

Player of the Year

• 2000: Robin Bimson (Ithaca)
• 2001: Laura Remia (Ithaca)
• 2002: Shari McNamara (RIT)
• 2003: Shari McNamara (RIT)
• 2004: Zahida Sherman (Ithaca)
• 2005: Leigh Bonkowski (Ithaca)
• 2006: Kaitlyn Dulac (Ithaca)
• 2007: Hannah Shalett (Ithaca)
• 2008: Erica Cutspec (Ithaca), Sara Dresser (St. John Fisher)

Rookie of the Year

• 2000: Amanda Kent (St. John Fisher)
• 2001: Shari McNamara (RIT)
• 2002: Abby Pelot (Ithaca)
• 2003: Leigh Bonkowski (Ithaca)
• 2004: Zahida Sherman (Ithaca)
• 2005: Carly Myers (Ithaca)
• 2006: Ashlee McBride-Krause (St. John Fisher)
• 2007: Sarah Gates (St. John Fisher)
• 2008: Emily McPherson (RIT)

Coach of the Year

• 2000: Deb Pallozzi (Ithaca)
• 2001: Jack Carpenter (RIT), Deb Pallozzi (Ithaca)
• 2002: Jack Carpenter (RIT), Deb Pallozzi (Ithaca)
• 2003: Deb Pallozzi (Ithaca)
• 2004: Len Maiorani (St. John Fisher)
• 2005: Jack Carpenter (RIT)
• 2006: Pat Mineo (Utica)
• 2007: Deb Pallozzi (Ithaca)
• 2008: Gino Olivieri (Alfred)

Field hockey

Elmira College, Hartwick College, Ithaca College, Nazareth College, Stevens Institute of Technology, Utica College, and Washington & Jefferson College compete in Empire 8 field hockey. The women's field hockey championship was first held in 2002.

Champions

• 2002: Hartwick College
• 2003: Ithaca College
• 2004: Hartwick College
• 2005: Hartwick College
• 2006: Ithaca College, Utica College
• 2007: Nazareth College
• 2008: Stevens Institute of Technology

Player of the Year

• 2002: Tara Wilkes (Hartwick)
• 2003: Tara Wilkes (Hartwick)
• 2004: Kelly Cooman (Hartwick)
• 2005: Tasha Snowden (Ithaca)
• 2006: Katie Kutas (Utica)
• 2007: Kelly Miranda (Nazareth)
• 2008:

Rookie of the Year

• 2002: Natasha Snowden (Ithaca)
• 2003: Riana Bovill (Elmira)
• 2004: Danielle Fiore (Utica)
• 2005: Katie Kutas (Utica)
• 2006: Courtney Geddis (Stevens)
• 2007: Lauren Griggs (Stevens)
• 2008:

Coach of the Year

• 2002: Bern Macca (Elmira)
• 2003: Bern Macca (Elmira), Pat Mihalko (Utica)
• 2004: Anna Meyer (Hartwick)
• 2005: Megan McGuin (Utica)
• 2006: Jessica Reed (Stevens)
• 2007: Jomara Coghlan (Washington & Jefferson)
• 2008:

Lacrosse

Alfred University, Elmira College, Hartwick College, Ithaca College, Nazareth College, Rochester Institute of Technology, St. John Fisher College, Stevens Institute of Technology, and Utica College compete in Empire 8 lacrosse. The men's and women's lacrosse championships were first held in 2002.

Champions

• 1999: Rochester Institute of Technology
• 2002: Ithaca College
• 2003: Nazareth College
• 2004: Nazareth College
• 2005: Nazareth College
• 2006: Rochester Institute of Technology
• 2007: Nazareth College
• 2008: Ithaca College
• 2009: Nazareth College
• 2010: Rochester Institute of Technology

Player of the Year

• 1999: Ben Hunt (RIT)
• 2000: Jake Coon (Nazareth)
• 2001: Eric Goodberlet (Nazareth)
• 2002: Ryan Martin (Ithaca)
• 2003: Matt Kent (Nazareth)
• 2004: Josh Molinari (RIT)
• 2005: Matt Casey (Ithaca)
• 2006: David Thering (RIT)
• 2007: Ryan Hotaling (Nazareth)
• 2008: Matt Nelligan (Ithaca)
• 2010: Mark DeCirce (Nazareth), Jordan MacIntosh (RIT)

Goalkeeper of the Year

• 2007: Dennis Butler (Ithaca)
• 2008: Dave Decker (Stevens)
• 2010: David Gal (Ithaca)

Rookie of the Year

• 1996: Ben Hunt (RIT)
• 2000: Dennis Juleff (Ithaca)
• 2001: Mark Colite (Hartwick)
• 2002: Brian Weil (Ithaca)
• 2003: Dave Thering (RIT)
• 2004: Dennis Butler (Ithaca), Andy German (Alfred)
• 2005: Andrew Ruocco (RIT)
• 2006: Mike Cintineo (Ithaca)
• 2007: Erinn O'Hara (Nazareth)
• 2008: Vito DeMola (Hartwick)
• 2010: Harry Hughes (Hartwick)

Coach of the Year

• 2000: Scott Nelson (Nazareth), Ken Long (Ithaca), Bart Governanti (Elmira)
• 2001: Rob Randall (Nazareth)
• 2002: Jeff Long (Ithaca)
• 2003: Rob Randall (Nazareth)
• 2004: Gene Peluso (RIT)
• 2005: Jeff Long (Ithaca)
• 2006: Jeff Long (Ithaca)
• 2007: Rob Randall (Nazareth)
• 2008: Jeff Long (Ithaca)
• 2010: Jake Coon (RIT)

Champions

• 2002: Nazareth College
• 2003: Ithaca College
• 2004: Ithaca College
• 2005: Nazareth College
• 2006: Nazareth College
• 2007: St. John Fisher College
• 2008: Ithaca College
• 2009: St. John Fisher College

Player of the Year

• 2000: Lauren D'Aurio (Alfred), Maya Lambiase (Nazareth)
• 2001: Brooke Andrews (Ithaca)
• 2002: Allison Roberts (Nazareth)
• 2003: Jessica Welch (Ithaca), Shawna Kabot (Nazareth)
• 2004: Michelle Schlegel (Ithaca)
• 2005: Katya Outwater (Elmira)
• 2006: Betsy Carney (Nazareth)
• 2007: Laurie Quackenbush (St. John Fisher)
• 2008: Laurie Quackenbush (St. John Fisher)

Rookie of the Year

• 2000: Lorra Podsiadlo (Nazareth)
• 2001: Michelle Schlegel (Ithaca)
• 2002: Lindsay Gotham (Nazareth)
• 2003: Kurstin Meehan (Ithaca)
• 2004: Theresa Nobilski (St. John Fisher)
• 2005: Meagan Howell (Ithaca)
• 2006: Jen Springett (St. John Fisher)
• 2007: Lauren Glavin (St. John Fisher)
• 2008: Tammy Kohanski (Utica)

Coach of the Year

• 2000: Sue Behme (Nazareth)
• 2001: Piep van Heuven (Ithaca)
• 2002: Sue Behme (Nazareth)
• 2003: Karen Hollands (Ithaca)
• 2004: Karen Hollands (Ithaca)
• 2005: Sue Behme (Nazareth)
• 2006: Sue Behme (Nazareth)
• 2007: Shannon McHale (St. John Fisher)
• 2008: Sue Behme (Nazareth)

Champions

• 2002: Ithaca College
• 2003: Alfred University
• 2004: Ithaca College
• 2005: Alfred University
• 2006: Hartwick College
• 2007: Alfred University

Athlete of the meet

• 2002: Sean Kavanaugh (Ithaca)
• 2003: Erik Zelbacher (RIT)
• 2004: Sean Kavanaugh (Ithaca), Sasha Kuznezov (Ithaca)
• 2005: Erik Zelbacher (RIT)
• 2006: Erik Zelbacher (RIT)
• 2007: Matt Baker (Alfred)

Rookie of the meet

• 2002: Steve Barnes (Ithaca)
• 2003: Brian Gotham (Alfred)
• 2004: Kurt Cedo (Hartwick)
• 2005: Quinn Donahoe (RIT)
• 2006: Kevin Milkovich (Hartwick)
• 2007: Andrew Brisson (Alfred)

Coach of the year

• 2002: Kevin Markwardt (Ithaca)
• 2003: Brian Striker (Alfred)
• 2004: Kevin Markwardt (Ithaca)
• 2005: Brian Striker (Alfred)
• 2006: Dale Rothenberger (Hartwick)
• 2007: Brian Striker (Alfred)

Champions

• 2002: Ithaca College
• 2003: Ithaca College
• 2004: Ithaca College
• 2005: Ithaca College
• 2006: Ithaca College
• 2007: Ithaca College
• 2008: Ithaca College

Athlete of the meet

• 2002: Lisa Elsemore (Nazareth)
• 2003: Megan Hughes (Ithaca)
• 2004: Megan Hughes (Ithaca), Gayle Gregory (Hartwick)
• 2005: Aubrey Kirchoff (Nazareth)
• 2006: Emily Lesher (Nazareth)

Rookie of the meet

• 2002: Daniel Moreau (Hartwick)
• 2003: Stacey Bowen (Ithaca)
• 2004: Mary Larkin (Hartwick)
• 2005: Emily Lesher (Nazareth)
• 2006: Lauren Botterbusch (Ithaca)
• 2007: Caitlyn Burr (RIT)
• 2008: Sheila Rhoades (Ithaca)

Coach of the year

• 2002: TJ Davis (Alfred)
• 2003: Paula Miller (Ithaca)
• 2004: Dale Rothenberger (Hartwick)
• 2005: Martie Staser (Nazareth)
• 2006: Paula Miller (Ithaca)
• 2007: Martie Staser (Nazareth)
• 2008: Paula Miller (Ithaca)

Tennis

Alfred University, Elmira College, Hartwick College, Ithaca College, Nazareth College, Rochester Institute of Technology, St. John Fisher College, Stevens Institute of Technology, and Utica College compete in Empire 8 tennis. The men's and women's tennis championships were first held in 2002.

Champions

• 2002: Rochester Institute of Technology
• 2003: Ithaca College
• 2004: Ithaca College
• 2005: Rochester Institute of Technology
• 2006: Ithaca College
• 2007: Ithaca College
• 2008: Stevens Institute of Technology
• 2009: Ithaca College
• 2010: Stevens Institute of Technology

Player of the Year

• 2002: Michael Magnone (Nazareth)
• 2003: Scott Rubens (Ithaca)
• 2004: Vladimir Vecher (Hartwick)
• 2005: David Chachu (RIT)
• 2006: Chris Ciolino (Ithaca)
• 2007: Colin Flynn (Ithaca)

Rookie of the Year

• 2002: David Chachu (RIT)
• 2003: Chris Ciolino (Ithaca)
• 2004: Colin Flynn (Ithaca)
• 2005: Aaron Haak (St. John Fisher)
• 2006: Ryan Weaver (Nazareth)
• 2007: Taylor Borda (Ithaca)

Coach of the Year

• 2002: Ann Nealon (RIT)
• 2003: Bill Austin (Ithaca)
• 2004: Andrea Pontius (Hartwick)
• 2005: Ann Nealon (RIT)
• 2006: Bill Austin (Ithaca)
• 2007: Bill Austin (Ithaca)

Champions

• 2002: Nazareth College
• 2003: Nazareth College
• 2004: Ithaca College
• 2005: Alfred University
• 2006: Ithaca College
• 2007: Ithaca College

Player of the Year

• 2001: Katie Silky (Nazareth)
• 2002: Sara Kula (RIT)
• 2003: Alicia Ballard (Alfred)
• 2004: Alicia Ballard (Alfred)
• 2005: Caitlin Castle (Ithaca)
• 2006: Katie Calfee (Alfred)
• 2007: Dana Bacalla (Stevens)

Rookie of the Year

• 2001: Alicia Ballard (Alfred)
• 2002: Jennifer Hume (RIT)
• 2003: Jody Butterfoss (Alfred)
• 2004: Katie Calfee (Alfred)
• 2005: Caitlin Castle (Ithaca)
• 2006: Caroline Caillet (RIT)
• 2007: Melanie Cohen (Ithaca)

Coach of the Year

• 2001: Brian Friedland (Alfred)
• 2002: Linda Gohagan (St. John Fisher)
• 2003: Annette Shapiro (Nazareth)
• 2004: Brian Friedland (Alfred)
• 2005: Bill Austin (Ithaca)
• 2006: Bill Austin (Ithaca)
• 2007: Bill Austin (Ithaca)

Champions

• 2003: Ithaca College
• 2004: Rochester Institute of Technology
• 2005: Rochester Institute of Technology
• 2006: Rochester Institute of Technology
• 2007: Rochester Institute of Technology

Runner of the Year

• 2003: Mike Styczynski (Ithaca)
• 2004: Shawn Calabrese (Ithaca)
• 2005: Nate Lowe (RIT)
• 2006: Jesse Williamson (RIT)
• 2007: Brendan Epstein (Nazareth)

Rookie of the Year

• 2003: Patrick McGreal (Ithaca)
• 2004: Brendan Epstein (Nazareth)
• 2005: Jared Burdick (RIT)
• 2006: Nick Stenuf (Nazareth)
• 2007: Mitch Boise (Utica)

Coach of the Year

• 2003: Jim Nichols (Ithaca)
• 2004: David Warth (RIT)
• 2005: David Warth (RIT)
• 2006: David Warth (RIT)
• 2007: David Warth (RIT)

Champions

• 2003: Ithaca College
• 2004: Ithaca College
• 2005: Ithaca College
• 2006: Ithaca College
• 2007: Ithaca College

Runner of the Year

• 2003: Amanda Laytham (Ithaca)
• 2004: Bridgette Pilling (Ithaca)
• 2005: Rachel Blasiak (Ithaca)
• 2006: Rachel Blasiak (Ithaca)
• 2007: Lindsey Nadolski (Ithaca)

Rookie of the Year

• 2003: Rachel Blasik (Ithaca)
• 2004: Adrienne Gagnier (RIT)
• 2005: Lindsey Nadolski (Ithaca)
• 2006: McKenzie Clemens (Alfred)
• 2007: Alissa Kersey (Ithaca)

Coach of the Year

• 2003: William Ware (Ithaca)
• 2004: William Ware (Ithaca)
• 2005: William Ware (Ithaca)
• 2006: William Ware (Ithaca)
• 2007: William Ware (Ithaca)

Champions

• 2004: Ithaca College
• 2005: Rochester Institute of Technology
• 2006: Rochester Institute of Technology
• 2007: Rochester Institute of Technology
• 2008: Ithaca College

Athlete of the meet

• 2004: Kevin Alford (Ithaca), Curtis Howard (RIT)
• 2005: Matt Bango (RIT)
• 2006: Nick Stenuf (Nazareth)

Field Athlete of the meet

• 2007: Ryan Squillacioti (Alfred), Brandon Wheeler (Nazareth)
• 2008: Ryan Squillacioti (Alfred)

Rookie of the meet

• 2004: David Falcinelli (RIT)
• 2005: Jimmy Sorel (RIT)
• 2006: Jared Burdick (RIT), P.J. Scott (Ithaca)
• 2007: Dennis Akey (Ithaca)
• 2008: Jeff Wetmore (Ithaca)

Coach of the year

• 2004: Jim Nichols (Ithaca)
• 2005: David Warth (RIT)
• 2006: David Warth (RIT)
• 2007: David Warth (RIT)
• 2008: Jim Nichols (Ithaca)

Champions

• 2004: Ithaca College
• 2005: Ithaca College
• 2006: Ithaca College
• 2007: Rochester Institute of Technology
• 2008:

Athlete of the meet

• 2004: Amanda Laytham (Ithaca), Sheri Kelleher (Hartwick)
• 2005: Danielle Simmons (RIT)
• 2006: LaKeisha Perez (RIT)

Rookie of the meet

• 2004: Jessemyn Russell (Nazareth)
• 2005: LaKeisha Perez (RIT)
• 2006: Elizabeth Wilcox (Ithaca)
• 2007: Marcia McCord (Ithaca)
• 2008:

Coach of the year

• 2004: Jennifer Potter (Ithaca)
• 2005: Jennifer Potter (Ithaca)
• 2006: Jennifer Potter (Ithaca)

Champions

• 2004: Ithaca College
• 2005: Ithaca College
• 2006: Rochester Institute of Technology

Athlete of the Meet

• 2004: Mike Styczynski (Ithaca), Tariq Ahmad (Ithaca)
• 2005: Jimmy Sorel (RIT)
• 2006: Nick Stenuf (Nazareth)

Rookie of the Meet

• 2004: Ken Taylor (Nazareth)
• 2005: Matt Bango (RIT)
• 2006: Drew Hodge (Ithaca)

Coach of the Year

• 2004: Jim Nichols (Ithaca)
• 2005: Jim Nichols (Ithaca)
• 2006: David Warth (RIT)

Athlete of the Meet

• 2004: Sheri Kelleher (Hartwick), Allison Griggs (RIT)
• 2005: Elena DeQuesada (Ithaca)
• 2006: Lauren Koppel (Ithaca), LaKeisha Perez (RIT)

Rookie of the Meet

• 2004: Stephanie Matuszewski (RIT)
• 2005: LaKeisha Perez (RIT)
• 2006: Lauren Koppel (Ithaca)

Coach of the Year

• 2004: Jennifer Potter (Ithaca)
• 2005: Jennifer Potter (Ithaca)
• 2006: Jennifer Potter (Ithaca)