ROCHESTER, NY – Athletics Director Pete Bothner is pleased to announce that Nazareth has been accepted as an associate member of the Liberty League for the women's rowing program. Nazareth acceptance will begin in the spring of 2027.
As an associate member of the Liberty League conference, Nazareth will now compete in the Liberty League Championships each year. In 2027, the Liberty League Championships will be held on April 30 at Fish Creek (Saratoga Lake) in Saratoga Springs, NY.
The Liberty League currently has eight institutions that sponsor women's rowing as a NCAA Division III sport – Ithaca College, University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology, Skidmore College, St. Lawrence University, Union College and William Smith College are core members. In addition to Nazareth as an associate member, St. John Fisher University women's rowing shares the same affiliation.
Said Liberty League Commissioner Tracy King in Nazareth's acceptance letter, "On behalf of the Liberty League member institutions, it is my pleasure to extend an offer of associate membership in the sport of women's rowing to Nazareth University." "It is our belief that Nazareth shares the commitment of our Liberty League members to providing a quality student-athlete experience while maintaining high academic standards."
Nazareth's rowing program began as a varsity sport in 2018-19. Heading into its eighth season, and fifth under longtime rowing coach John Welker, the program is eager to continue its growth and development.
Said Welker, "Thank you to everyone that has been involved in this process." "This membership will bring Nazareth women's rowing into a new light now having a season championship to participate in. It will be a great opportunity to show how hard our team has worked."
Said Nazareth Athletics Director Pete Bothner, "Nazareth University has continued to prioritize the growth and development of our women's rowing program, and we believe that participation in the Liberty League will provide an outstanding competitive and academic fit for our student-athletes." "We are confident that our program will contribute positively to the Liberty League through competitive participation, strong institutional support, and a shared commitment to academic achievement and athletic integrity. Additionally, associate membership will provide meaningful regional competition opportunities for our student-athletes."
