When the Hobart College volleyball team plays its inaugural season during the 2023-24 academic year, the Statesmen will compete as the eighth member of the United Volleyball Conference.
 
"We are extremely excited about joining the top men's volleyball conference in the nation right out of the gate," said Hobart and William Smith Colleges Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation Brian Miller. "The UVC's reputation is unparalleled, and to be competitive in this conference with a brand new program is going to be challenging, but one we're looking forward to taking on. I would like to thank Commissioner Chuck Mitrano and the UVC's President's Council and Athletic Directors for accepting us into their ranks."
 
Founded in 2010, the UVC has developed into one of the premier NCAA Division III men's volleyball athletic conferences, both on the court and in the classroom. With the addition of Hobart, the conference will consist of Elmira College, Hobart College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Nazareth College, SUNY New Paltz, New York University, St. John Fisher University and Vassar College. UVC institutions have combined to win three NCAA Division III Championships and four national titles since its inception.
 
"Hobart College is an ideal fit for the United Volleyball Conference," says UVC Commissioner and chair of the NCAA Division III Championships Committee Chuck Mitrano. "Hobart is an exceptional academic institution with a favorable location within our footprint and a commitment to athletic excellence. We are happy to welcome them to the UVC family."
 
Volleyball will be Hobart's 15th sport and raise the total athletic offerings at Hobart and William Smith to 30 sports. HWS plans to expand its sports offerings to 35 teams by the 2025-26 academic year. HWS teams compete primarily in the Liberty League, but have associate memberships in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (William Smith bowling), the Atlantic 10 Conference (Hobart lacrosse), the Middle Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association (HWS Sailing) and the New England Hockey Conference (Hobart and William Smith ice hockey).
 
The Hobart and William Smith Athletics programs have won a combined 23 team national championships. On the conference level, the Statesmen and Herons have captured 121 titles since 1995.
 
ABOUT THE UNITED VOLLEYBALL CONFERENCE
The members of the United Volleyball Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. For more on the UVC visit www.theuvc.org.