WEST BABYLON, N.Y. - - The East Coast Conference announced on Thursday afternoon that Chestnut Hill College and Wilmington University have been added as associate members in the sport of women's bowling, effective immediately.

Both Chestnut Hill, located in Philadelphia, Pa., and Wilmington, located in New Castle, Del., are in their second-ever year of competition after completing their inaugural seasons in 2016-17. The two schools will be immediately eligible for all ECC weekly and postseason awards and will compete in the 2018 ECC Women's Bowling Championship.

"We are very excited to welcome Chestnut Hill College and Wilmington University to the East Coast Conference as our newest Associate Members in the sport of Women's Bowling," said ECC Commissioner, Dr. Robert Dranoff.  "These two institutions will be strong additions to our league, helping us to continue growing and offering opportunities for women to compete in Division II Bowling.  We look forward to having them as part of our 2018 championships."

The addition of Chestnut Hill and Wilmington to the conference brings the total numbers of schools competing to 12, making the ECC the largest women's bowling conference in the NCAA. The Griffins and Wildcats also become the sixth and seventh associate members in the sport of women's bowling, joining Adelphi University, Felician University, Franklin Pierce University, Kutztown University, and Lincoln Memorial University.

The other five schools competing in ECC women's bowling are Daemen College, LIU Post, Molloy College, Roberts Wesleyan College, and St. Thomas Aquinas College, all of whom are full-time members of the ECC.