SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Penn State Altoona men’s wrestling program joined the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) as an associate member on Aug. 3 when the conference announced an expansion of its men’s wrestling league to 13 teams effective for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
Joining Penn State Altoona in the move to the SUNYAC for men’s wrestling are fellow Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference schools Penn State Behrend and Pitt-Bradford. Alfred State College, which shifted from the AMCC to the SUNYAC as a full member on July 1, 2026, also brings its men’s wrestling program into the conference.
Penn State Altoona, Penn State Behrend and Pitt-Bradford are also associate members of the SUNYAC in men’s and women’s swimming.
"The SUNYAC already has a great partnership with these three associate members in other sports," SUNYAC Commissioner Tom DiCamillo said. "Therefore, it was an easy decision to welcome their wrestling programs into the conference. They have been an invaluable part of the growth of swimming and diving in the SUNYAC.”
Penn State Altoona Director of Athletics Brent Baird is excited for the new chapter of the men’s wrestling program, which is entering its third year as an NCAA Division III sport at the campus. The team’s move to the SUNYAC allows it to be part of one of the largest Division III men’s wrestling conferences in the country.
"Penn State Altoona is excited to be joining the SUNYAC for men's wrestling," he said. "As a new program, we want to associate ourselves with strong programs and competition. The SUNYAC provides all of that, and I hope we will be able to add a quality team to the conference."
The conference championship will be held at Ithaca, New York, in Jan. The current one-day format on Saturday, Jan. 23, is under review to decide if adjustments will be needed.