WASHINGTON, D.C. --- The Catholic University of America is set to end its associate membership for football with the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) following the 2016 season, as announced by the University on Tuesday morning.  The Cardinals will join the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) for the 2017 campaign.

"I am sorry to see Catholic University depart the ODAC as an associate member in football,” stated ODAC Commissioner Brad Bankston. “Our programs have enjoyed spirited competition and friendships with the Catholic student-athletes and coaches over the past 16-plus seasons. Their participation in the league brought many an exciting Saturday into the conference schedule. We wish them good luck in their future endeavors within the NEWMAC."

Catholic was accepted for associate membership with the ODAC on January 12, 1999, bringing the ODAC's football membership to seven schools.  CUA's inclusion coincided with the introduction of automatic qualification for conference champions towards participation in NCAA Division III postseason events.  The Cardinals immediately put that practice into play,  winning the conference title in its first season in the fall of 1999.  CUA's departure from the ODAC following the 2016 season will reduce the conference's football membership to seven, therefore maintaining the league's NCAA automatic qualification status.

“We deeply appreciate the relationships we have built throughout our time as an ODAC associate member," said Associate Vice President & Director of Athletics Sean Sullivan.  "Our experience has been nothing but positive and we have great respect for the outstanding institutions throughout the conference."

Head coach Dave Dunn added that “Catholic University has truly benefited from associate membership in the ODAC as we have been able to compete against teams that play at such a high level. I will miss competing against a number of my friends and fellow head coaches as we have developed a great camaraderie over the years.”

The NEWMAC will begin its first season of football sponsorship in 2017.  Catholic will be one of eight inaugural members joining the United States Coast Guard Academy, Maine Maritime Academy, the United States Merchant Marine Academy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Norwich University, Springfield College and Worcester Polytechnic.

For more information on ODAC football, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the ODAC's home on the Internet at www.odaconline.com.  Don't forget to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook and follow @odacathletics on Twitter.