Mercyhurst University announced Thursday that it is moving its sports programs up to the Division I level and will be leaving the Division II Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference to compete in the Northeast Conference. The move will be effective immediately and will now leave teams like Slippery Rock with a “bye” week in their football schedule this fall. The move will also affect volleyball, field hockey and men’s and women’s soccer this year.
The Slippery Rock and Mercyhurst football teams were to play October 26th. The Rock defeated the Lakers 75-31.
The Rock football team is currently in the middle of spring practices – with the annual Green and White game set for Friday, April 19th.