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"Who We Are" About the Patriot League
The Patriot League, which was founded on the principles of admitting athletes who are academically representative of their class, is in its third decade of academic and athletic achievement. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education. The Patriot League began as a successful Division I-AA (now called Football Championship Subdivision) football conference in 1986. Full League members include American, Army, Bucknell, Colgate, Holy Cross, Lafayette, Lehigh and Navy. Associate members include Fordham and Georgetown in football and Massachusetts Institute of Technology in women's rowing. On July 1, 2013, Boston University and Loyola University (Maryland) will become full members of the Patriot League. These member institutions are among the oldest and most prestigious in the nation. Alumni from Patriot League colleges and universities have played a leadership role in the shaping of our country. In the classroom, the Patriot League's full-member institutions, individually and collectively, consistently rank among the top Division I programs in the NCAA Graduation Rates Report. Since 1998, the Patriot League has ranked first among all Division I conferences offering scholarships in student-athlete graduation rates according to the NCAA Graduation Rates report. The League finished at the top spot with 96 percent of its teams reporting a graduation rate of 85 percent or higher in the most recent data. In addition, 90 Patriot League teams earned NCAA Academic Performance Program Public Recognition Awards after posting academic progress rate scores in the top 10 percent of all squads in their respective sports. League members have also distinguished themselves on the field of play. The Patriot League sponsors championship competition in 23 sports (11 for men; 12 for women). Championship teams from 15 sports are guaranteed advancement into NCAA post-season competition: baseball, men and women's basketball, field hockey, football, men's golf, men and women's lacrosse, rowing, men and women's soccer, softball, men and women's tennis and volleyball. Along the timeline of Patriot League history about three-quarters of the Patriot League's Scholar-Athletes of the Year also received All-Patriot League status for their exemplary athletic performance. In the Patriot League's history, more than 200 student-athletes have been recognized as CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, while more than 12,000 have qualified for the League's Academic Honor Roll. More than 30 student-athletes have received NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships. Additionally, Patriot League student-athletes have earned Fulbright Scholarships, Rhodes Scholarships, Marshall Scholarships and NACDA/Disney Scholarships. Today's Scholar-Athletes, Tomorrow's Leaders Full Members
* Indicates charter member ^ Indicates future member Associate Members
The Patriot League was founded in 1984, but competition did not begin until the 1986 season |
