NORFOLK, Va. – The Old Dominion University wrestling program officially joined the Mid-American Conference as an affiliate member on Monday, July 1.

"Joining the Mid-American Conference is a game changer for our program,” said ODU head coach Steve Martin. “The MAC is arguably the second toughest conference in the nation. When you are wrestling teams like Missouri, Northern Iowa, Central Michigan and Kent State every year you have no choice but to elevate your program in ever aspect. We have put ourselves in a position to recruit and compete at a higher level.”

Last year, Missouri and Northern Iowa joined the MAC as affiliate members. With Old Dominion joining in 2013-14, membership in the conference moves up to nine members with Buffalo, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Northern Illinois and Ohio. With this increase in wrestling membership, the MAC will become the third largest Division I wrestling league in the nation only behind the Big Ten and the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA).

The Monarchs are coming off a regular season championship in the Colonial Athletic Association and sent four wrestlers to the 2013 NCAA Championships. In addition, ODU had the eighth highest team GPA in the country last season.