West Babylon, N.Y. - Hood College's esports program has been accepted as an associate member of East Coast Conference, Dr. Robert Dranoff, commissioner of the East Coast Conference and Dr. Susan Kolb, Hood's director of athletics, announced on Thursday afternoon.

Hood becomes the second associate member to join ECC esports this week, following the announcement of Chestnut Hill College's acceptance on Monday. Both institutions historically competed in the Atlantic Women's Colleges Conference in all women's athletics from 1995-2007. 

The addition of Hood brings the number of institutions participating in ECC esports to 10. Hood becomes the league's fifth associate member joining Chestnut Hill College, Farmingdale State College, Southern New Hampshire University, and St. Joseph's College (Long Island). Full-time members of the conference that sponsor teams include Daemen College, Mercy College, Molloy College, New York Institute of Technology, and St. Thomas Aquinas.

"It is with great pleasure that we welcome Hood College to ECC esports," said Dranoff, "In looking at what they have already done with their esports program in such a short time under the direction of Director of Athletics Susan Kolb, and Head Coach Chris Leonard, I am confident that this will be an excellent partnership."

Dranoff continued, "We are looking forward to continued growth and an opportunity to expand the number of games we provide and ways we can serve our members."

"The ECC will be a great home for our esports team and we are grateful for the opportunity to become an associate member," said Kolb. "Coach Leonard has built our esports program from the ground up and now as a new member in the ECC, I am excited to see how this will enhance the experience for our student-athletes." 

Chris Leonard, Hood's esports head coach added, "Joining the East Coast Conference is a unique and exciting opportunity for Hood College. The ECC allows us to significantly expand our impact and reach. It is a strong Division II conference. Under the direction of Commissioner Dr. Dranoff, the conference has grown in strength and success over the past several years. Hood esports is humbled by the opportunity to play at such a high level. I want to thank Dr. Dranoff and the ECC for giving us this opportunity. I would like to also thank Dr. Kolb for her leadership, guidance and unwavering support of our esports program. Our Blazers are ready for the challenge and competition of the ECC."

During its first season in 2019-20, the Blazers won 27 times, while competing in Overwatch, Rocket League, Apex Legends, Fortnite and Super Smash Bros. The ability to compete remotely allowed the team to continue to play after Hood's other spring sports were canceled due to COVID-19 in March 2020.  The Blazers competed as a club in 2019-20 but will be a varsity offering in 2020-21. 

ECC esports heads into its third season during the 2020-21 academic year. The league has offered championships in Overwatch, League of Legends, and Rocket League and continues to explore the addition of new games to its roster.