ATHERTON, Calif. -10/20/04- Menlo College Athletic Director Caitlin Collier announced today that the Oaks football program has been accepted to the six-team Northwest Conference, as an affiliate member. It is still yet to be determined as to when the Oaks will begin conference play, but Collier is still extremely excited about the decision.

\"This is a historic accomplishment for Menlo College Athletics. We are no longer marooned as an independent in football. We have a shot at an automatic berth to the national tournament and our players have a chance to get recognized within a conference. Most importantly, we are all very honored to be associated with such a prestigious NCAA DIII conference\"

The announcement of Menlo\'s acceptance into the Northwest Conference culminates a yearlong process in which Collier worked closely with conference Commissioner Chuck Lindemenn and Northwest Conference President Vivian Bull.

The move to the Northwest Conference will end Menlo College football\'s 17-year run as Northern California\'s only independent football program. The Oaks have maintained that status since the time they moved from the junior college ranks to four-year college status prior to the 1987 season.

The Northwest Conference currently consists of six schools that sponsor football. They include Lewis & Clark, Linfield, Willamette, Pacific Lutheran, University. of Puget Sound, and Whitworth. Of its current members, the Oaks will or have played four members of the Conference this season. On September 25, the Oaks fell to Willamette 28-14. Menlo will square off with Whitworth on October 23, homecoming weekend in Atherton. On October 30, The Oaks travel to Linfield before playing their last home game of the 2004 season against Pacific Lutheran.