IN MAY, LEMOYNE COLLEGE ACCEPTED AN INVITATION TO JOIN THE NORTHEAST CONFERENCE STARTING THIS FALL.

THIS STRATEGIC MOVE ENABLES THE COLLEGE TO SHOWCASE ITS ATHLETIC PROGRAMS IN MAJOR NATIONAL MARKETS WHILE COMPETING AT THE HIGHEST COLLEGIATE LEVEL.

SUCH A DECISION PROMISES SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC BENEFITS FOR THE INSTITUTION.

WE SPOKE WITH BOB BERETTA, DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS AT LE MOYNE COLLEGE, AND NOREEN MORRIS, THE NEC COMMISSIONER, TO FIND OUT WHY THIS DECISION BENEFITS BOTH PARTIES MOVING FORWARD.

[ CHEERING ] >> I DON'T BELIEVE IT IS A BIG LEAP TO GO FROM HIGH DIVISION 2 TO LOW DIVISION 1.

IT'S A STEP NOT A LEAP.

IF YOU ARE A HIGH PERFORMING DIVISION 2 INSTITUTION LIKE LeMOYNE HAS BEEN, IT IS NOT A LEAP TO GO FROM LOW DIVISION WHO HIGH DIVISION 2 TO LOW DIVISION 1.

I THINK WE WILL BE VERY SUCCESSFUL OVER TIME.

>> THERE IS AN INVESTMENT PIECE TO MOVING FROM D-2 TO D-1 WHERE AN INSTITUTION HAS TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FEE FROM THEY MOVE FROM DIVISION 1 TO DIVISION 2 AND THAT APPLICATION FEE IS BASED ON THE EAF KNEW REVENUE DISTRIBUTION PROVIDED FROM NCAA TO THE DIVISION 1 INSTITUTIONS IN THE YEAR PRIOR TO THE YEAR IN WHICH THE SCHOOL IS APPLYING SO THIS YEAR THAT APPLICATION FEE WAS $1.85 MILLION.

>> OBVIOUSLY IT'S GOING TO REQUIRE A GREATER INVESTMENT ON THE INSTITUTION'S STANDPOINT.

NOW THERE ARE ALSO MANY REVENUE STREAMS THAT ARE GOING TO BECOME AVAILABLE TO THE SCHOOL AFTER WE FINISH OUR FOUR-YEAR RECLASSIFICATION PERIOD.

NCAA REVENUE STREAMS AND THERE ARE OTHER REVENUE STREAMS THAT WE CAN REALIZE DURING THIS FOUR-YEAR RECLASSIFICATION PERIOD.

WE ARE SEEING THAT ALREADY IN GUARANTEED GAMES.

WE ESTIMATED A CERTAIN NUMBER OF REVENUE WE WOULD GENERATE.

THE CONFERENCE PROVIDES REVENUE STREAMS FOR US, GRANTS, TO INCREASE OUR PROGRAMS, OUR OFFERING TO STUDENT ATHLETES.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHER THINGS YOU CAN GROW, ADMISSION TO GAMES, SPONSORSHIP.

IT ALL GOES BACK TO BUYING IN NAT ATHLETICS RAISES THE VISIBILTY OF AN INSTITUTION.

>> THIS IS A VERY DIFFICULT LANDSCAPE RIGHT NOW FOR HIGHER ED.

SO HAVE YOU TO TRY TO DIFFERENTIATE YOURSELF FROM THE PACK.

AND IN THIS CASE,LEY NOIN IS LOOKING TO ELEVATE ITS ATHLETIC PROGRAM AND THE BENEFIT WOULD BE THAT THEY HAVE GREATER EXPOSURE ON TELEVISION.

SO WE HAVE A NUMBER OF LINEAR BROADCASTS WE HAVE ACCESS TO.

DIVISION 1 MEN'S BASKETBALL GAME WILL BE AGAINST GEORGETOWN.

THAT, IN ITSELF, IS, THE NAME RECOGNITION, YOU PLAY IN GEORGETOWN AND AWLD OF A SUDDEN, PEOPLE ARE LIKE LeMOYNE?

WOW?

I WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THEM.

>> THE VISION OF, THEY SEE THE VALUE OF ATHLETICS AND THEY KNOW WE NEED TO RESOURCE IT IN A WAY THAT WE CAN BE SUCCESSFUL SO YES, THERE BE AN INCREASE IN POSITIONS.

WE ARE LOOKING AT EVERYTHING FROM BUDGETS TO SCHOLARSHIP.

WE ARE GOING TO INCREASE SCHOLARSHIPS.

WE ARE LOOKING AT POTENTIALLY ADDING SPORTS.

WE HAVE SOME EXCITING FACILITY WORK HERE ON TAP RIGHT NOW THIS SUMMER.

WE ARE BUILDING A CONCESSION RESTROOM FACILITY TO ENHANCE OUR FAN EXPERIENCE AT OUR TURF FIELD, AT OUR FIELD WHERE SOCCER AND LACROSSE TEAMS PLAY.

WE HAVE NEW DUGOUTS FOR BASEBALL AND NEW PRESS BOX FOR SOFTBALL AND BASEBALL.

WE ARE GOING TO RENOVATE OUR LOCKER ROOMS, OUR BUILDINGS, BUILD MORE SPACE FOR MORE PEOPLE BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE ARE SATURATED AND AS WE ADD STAFF, WE HAVE TO ADD IN QUALITY PLACES.

IT'S AN EXCITING TIME TO BE PART, DUE TO THE LEADERSHIP OF LeMOYNE WITH THE VISIONARY LEADERSHIP OF Dr. MURRA AND JOE GRASSO WHO UNDERSTANDS THE THE VALUE OF ATHLETICS EQUALLY BOLD COMPANIESQUE LESKED-- CAME TOGETHER AT THE RIGHT TIME.