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Patriot League School History
The Patriot League is one of history's most storied and successful college athletic conferences. Founded in 1986, the league has produced some of the greatest athletes, coaches, and teams ever taken to a field or court. From legendary football programs such as Lehigh University's "Marching 97" to basketball powerhouses like Bucknell University's Bison Squad, this esteemed conference has no shortage of amazing stories.
As its name implies, much of the Patriot League’s success can be attributed to its strong sense of patriotism and loyalty among member schools. This commitment was born on November 7th, 1987, when all eight original members signed an agreement stating their intent “to foster a spirit which promotes mutual respect between institutions for academic excellence with emphasis on intercollegiate athletics." This pact served as both a foundation for future growth and recognition of NCAA Division I status in 1990; it also established key principles such as gender equity across all sports (a rarity at that time), strict admissions standards for student-athletes regardless if they were recruited or walk-ons, and providing generous scholarships without sacrificing competitive balance amongst member schools.
Despite increased competition from other conferences around the college sports landscape, these values are still alive within each program. The Patriot League continues to produce outstanding competitors who excel academically while competing athletically at high levels - making them true student-athletes! It’s no wonder many alumni proudly look back fondly upon their days spent playing under these flags – it was something special!
