Keuka College is making a significant shift in its athletic future, announcing Wednesday it will leave the Empire 8 and join the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference beginning with the 2027-28 academic year.
The move positions the Wolves among a group of similarly resourced, non-football Division III institutions, a change college officials say will better align with their long-term goals for student-athlete development and competitive balance.
College President Amy Storey said the decision reflects a broader commitment to enhancing the student-athlete experience, both on the field and in the classroom. She pointed to the AMCC’s emphasis on academic excellence, community, and student success as key factors in the transition.
Conference leadership echoed that sentiment, with AMCC Commissioner Jeromy Yetter saying Keuka’s addition strengthens the league’s competitive landscape and reinforces its focus on high-quality Division III athletics. The conference will expand to nine full-time members when Keuka officially joins, alongside Carlow, Hilbert, La Roche, Mount Aloysius, Penn State Altoona, Penn State Behrend, Pitt-Bradford, and Pitt-Greensburg.
Keuka currently sponsors 16 varsity programs, many of which align with offerings across the AMCC. Men’s sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, and soccer, among others, while women’s programs include basketball, cross country, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, and volleyball.
Athletic Director Jon Accardi said the transition creates opportunities to build new rivalries and expand championship access for Keuka’s athletes. He emphasized that the move reflects the college’s continued investment in athletics as part of a broader institutional strategy.
The timing of the announcement follows a milestone moment for the college’s athletic program, as the men’s basketball team recently captured the Empire 8 title and made its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division III tournament.
Keuka, founded in 1890 and located on Keuka Lake, enrolls more than 1,200 students and competes as the Wolves in green and gold.
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