CHICAGO (August 10, 2022) – Loyola University Chicago will join the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) as an affiliate member in women's golf beginning with the 2022-23 season, it was announced today. 
 
"We are excited to be joining the MAAC in women's golf for the 2022-23 academic year," said Loyola Director of Athletics Steve Watson. "Thank you to MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor and the Council of Presidents for providing this opportunity for our student-athletes to have a championship experience and compete against quality programs, including a few of our new rivals from the Atlantic 10 Conference."
 
The MAAC Council of Presidents unanimously voted to approve the associate membership of Loyola into the MAAC for the sport of women's golf. Loyola becomes the ninth team in the MAAC for women's golf, joining Albany, Dayton, Fairfield, La Salle, Mount St. Mary's, Niagara, Quinnipiac and Siena. The Ramblers are the fourth affiliate member in women's golf, along with fellow Atlantic 10 Conference rivals Dayton and La Salle, as well as Albany.
 
Loyola spent the last nine seasons as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference in women's golf. The Ramblers have also been a member of the Horizon League for women's golf and won the Horizon League Championship in 2004. Loyola has produced a total of 14 all-conference selections in the history of the women's golf program. 
 
"The MAAC would like to welcome Loyola Chicago as an associate member for the 2022-23 academic year," noted MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor. "In this period of time with conference realignment, the MAAC looks forward to providing Loyola Chicago with a temporary league as they transition to their next phase. We are looking forward to hosting them at the 2023 MAAC Golf Championship at Disney's Magnolia Golf Course in Orlando, Florida this spring."
 
Loyola will return a solid crop of returnees in 2022-23, including rising junior Abby Thielbar, who posted a team-best 76.5 stroke average a season ago.
 
The 2023 MAAC Women's Golf Championship will be held at Disney's Magnolia Golf Course in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., from April 21 through 23. The MAAC has held its Golf Championships at Disney's Magnolia Course since 2015. For all information regarding the 2023 MAAC Women's Golf Championship, please visit maacsports.com/golf.