Bard, RIT join Liberty League as Hamilton moves on

The 2011-2012 academic year brings a new look to the Liberty League, with the departure of founding member Hamilton College and the introduction of two new schools, Bard College and Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). These changes, which were first announced in 2009, offer a fresh sense of stability and competition for the 16-year old conference.

Director of Athletics and Physical Education for Vassar College and President of the Liberty League Dr. Sharon Beverly explained that Hamilton's decision to leave the Liberty League, as well as the possibility of the University of Rochester doing the same, instigated the search for new members. Hamilton College left in order to fully incorporate its athletics program with the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC). The University of Rochester is still currently a Liberty League member, but some of its teams also compete in the University Athletic Association, leading to the speculation.

On the loss of Hamilton, Beverly wrote in an emailed statement, "Hamilton's decision to depart the Liberty League was probably best for both them and the League. Although Hamilton was a full member in both the NESCAC and the Liberty, they never acknowledged their membership in the Liberty League nationally, which hurt the League." She cited an example from a few years ago, when Hamilton's women's soccer team won the championship and most of the recogntion was directed towards NESCAC, when in fact Hamilton's soccer program then participated in the Liberty League.

Vassar's Associate Director of Athletics, Kim Culligan, remarked, "Hamilton College is a great competitor, a good rival and an excellent institution." The Continentals will also remain occasional opponents for the Brewers, something that Robin Deutsch, Vassar's Assistant Director of Athletics for Communications, Marketing and Promotions, made sure to emphasize. "Hamilton isn't going away," he said.

As far as the new additions, Beverly explained that 10 schools initially applied for Liberty League membership. After four finalists were selected, representatives from the institutions each gave presentations and interviews during a session at Hobart College attended by all the athletics directors in the Liberty League. In selecting the two new members, Beverly wrote, "We compiled pertinent statistical data in regards to admissions standards (SAT/ACT scores, selectivity), geographical data on student body, size of the institution, number of sports offered, size of staffing for the athletics dept, etc." Ultimately, Bard and RIT were offered invitations into the conference.

Beverly further commented on why these two schools stood out from the rest. "In terms of the departure of Hamilton, we sought to find schools that shared our academic commitment." She added that, athletically, "The other hope was that new members would help fill the void for sports losing a competitor … Bard and RIT sponsor most of the sports we were seeking."

The athletics directors at Bard and RIT shared the same motivation in joining the Liberty League as the League had in inviting them. Director of Athletics for Bard Kristen Hall wrote in an emailed statement that the College recognized the chance to join "peer institutions" and that "the opportunity to become a part of the organization was in line with the vision for the Athletics Department."

Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics for RIT Louis Spiotti, Jr. wrote in an emailed statement, "For some time we had been considering the idea of identifying a league that fits more with the profile of our university, both athletically and academically." Once RIT was invited to join the Liberty League, Spiotti added, "we jumped at the opportunity."

Bard previously competed in the Skyline Conference, based in the New York City area. RIT was a member of the Empire 8, which mostly features schools located in upstate New York.

Although few would question that the two new conference additions share the academic esteem of their fellow Liberty League members, it remains to be seen how competitive their sports teams will be. However, Culligan and Deutsch believe there is no reason to worry.

Culligan, by way of Vassar's competitive history with Bard, made special note of the commitment Bard has made to their athletics program, particularly in their staff, led by Hall. While she admitted that Vassar, which joined the Liberty League for the 2000-2001 academic year, took some time to improve athletically, she was adamant in saying that the two new schools would make the necessary adjustments. "[Bard and RIT] are going to elevate their athletics just as everyone else has," Culligan said.

Deutsch added that the two new League members "may be in different places athletically, but they are still very worthy competitors." He added emphatically, "Teams are going to be sadly mistaken if they think Bard won't sneak up on them. Bard and RIT will be taking this very seriously."

Still, transitioning into the new conference will not only encompass competitive changes. Culligan noted how Bard and RIT will also have to adjust to new schedules. For example, "[In the Liberty League,] men's and women's basketball play on back-to-back days," she explained. "Not all leagues do that."

At the same time, the addition of these two schools will instigate some changes to the scheduling system. For the first time in Liberty League play, regular matches will be held that have two teams playing each other at a neutral site (the neutral site still being within the Liberty League and rotating between home courts). For instance, on Saturday, Oct. 15, the Vassar women's volleyball team will play Skidmore College and Union College at RIT, while RIT hosts Bard and Skidmore.

With the two new members also comes a decline in non-conference opponents. Deutsch remarked that coaches have had to make "more prudent scheduling decisions" as a result.

The Liberty League's expansion also impacts the playoff system. Although these changes won't be enacted for another two years, some sports that had difficulty qualifying for the NCAA Championships will have the opportunity to earn automatic bids; the winner of the Liberty League will be granted an automatic bid into the NCAA Championships. Previously, the conference did not have the requisite number of teams to earn an automatic qualification, so championship berths were granted based on factors such as win-loss records and strength of schedule.

Another interesting possibility associated with these two teams in particular is the development of rivalries within the conference. Bard College, which is only about 25 miles from Vassar, is easily the closest Liberty League competitor the Brewers have ever had. Meanwhile, RIT joins cross-town rival University of Rochester.

While both pairs of schools have already established a significant history with one another on the playing field, everyone involved is excited for how Liberty League play will strengthen the ties. Spiotti wrote, "There is a lot of respect [between RIT and the University of Rochester]. We look forward to enhancing this rivalry."

Hall mentioned that, beyond the geographic proximity, there is a personal connection between Bard and Vassar. "Several of our current student-athletes have former high school teammates and friends on Brewer teams," she wrote. "So the [rivalries] that will develop in the future will certainly be positive rivalries."

Beverly herself acknowledged, "[Bard's] proximity to Vassar and academic profile are the closest to align with us within the conference." She also wrote, "I'm sure [Bard will] become a member of the rivalry between the ‘downstate' schools (Skidmore College, Union College and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute)."

Still, there is little doubt that whatever increase there is in competitiveness will be rooted upon a friendly foundation. Hall and Spiotti both emphasized their determination to lead the Raptors (Bard) and Tigers (RIT) into the Liberty League showing the utmost respect for their opponents. Hall wrote, "Our goals are to offer competitive experiences with a high level of gamesmanship and professionalism as we learn more about the programs in the conference." Spiotti shared a similar sentiment, writing, "We want to conduct ourselves with pride and dignity and be a credit to the league."

As far as the Liberty League as a whole, however, these changes ultimately appear to make conference play more intriguing, especially as Bard and RIT establish themselves in what Culligan called the "pecking order" of the Liberty League. Culligan added that the Brewers will soon learn, "They can't not play their best and expect to win Liberty League games. You can't ask for more than that."