Saint Elizabeth moving from United East to Atlantic East in 2025-2026

QuoteOn Thursday morning, the Chair of the Atlantic East's Presidents' Council and Centenary University President, Dr. Dale Caldwell,  announced the addition of Saint Elizabeth University as a full-time member of the conference. Saint Elizabeth University will move to the Atlantic East in the 2025-2026 year from the United East Conference.

President Caldwell stated, "Saint Elizabeth University is an outstanding institution that embodies the academic excellence, athletic spirit, and core values we celebrate in the Atlantic East Conference. Their addition not only enhances our competitiveness but also strengthens our shared commitment to student development, regional collaboration, and mission-driven leadership. We are honored to welcome them into our family of institutions."

Founded in 1899 as the College of Saint Elizabeth it transitioned to Saint Elizabeth University on July 1, 2020.  The university is located in Morristown, New Jersey and has a population of approximately 1,141 students. 

"Joining the Atlantic East Conference marks an exciting new chapter for Saint Elizabeth University athletics," said Dr. Gary B. Crosby, President, Saint Elizabeth University.  "This strategic move positions our student-athletes for continued success on the field, in the classroom, and in life. It reflects our commitment to excellence, equity, and opportunity, and we are proud to align with a conference that shares our values and vision for the future."

Saint Elizabeth transitioned the athletic programs to NCAA level in 2009 and then transitioned to coed in the fall of  2016. The Eagles will bring 11 varsity sports to the Atlantic East Conference. The Eagles will compete in the Atlantic East for baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's track and field, and women's volleyball. Saint Elizabeth also sponsors men's volleyball and STUNT.

I figured there are so many of these nowadays that I might as well start a separate thread.

Saint Elizabeth moving from United East to Atlantic East starting in 2025-2026

QuoteOn Thursday morning, the Chair of the Atlantic East's Presidents' Council and Centenary University President, Dr. Dale Caldwell,  announced the addition of Saint Elizabeth University as a full-time member of the conference. Saint Elizabeth University will move to the Atlantic East in the 2025-2026 year from the United East Conference.

President Caldwell stated, "Saint Elizabeth University is an outstanding institution that embodies the academic excellence, athletic spirit, and core values we celebrate in the Atlantic East Conference. Their addition not only enhances our competitiveness but also strengthens our shared commitment to student development, regional collaboration, and mission-driven leadership. We are honored to welcome them into our family of institutions."

Founded in 1899 as the College of Saint Elizabeth it transitioned to Saint Elizabeth University on July 1, 2020.  The university is located in Morristown, New Jersey and has a population of approximately 1,141 students. 

"Joining the Atlantic East Conference marks an exciting new chapter for Saint Elizabeth University athletics," said Dr. Gary B. Crosby, President, Saint Elizabeth University.  "This strategic move positions our student-athletes for continued success on the field, in the classroom, and in life. It reflects our commitment to excellence, equity, and opportunity, and we are proud to align with a conference that shares our values and vision for the future."

Saint Elizabeth transitioned the athletic programs to NCAA level in 2009 and then transitioned to coed in the fall of  2016. The Eagles will bring 11 varsity sports to the Atlantic East Conference. The Eagles will compete in the Atlantic East for baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's track and field, and women's volleyball. Saint Elizabeth also sponsors men's volleyball and STUNT.

Neumann Leaving the Atlantic East for the Middle Atlantic Conference in 26-27

QuoteOn Thursday, the Middle Atlantic Conferences (MAC) Executive Committee Chair and Misericordia University President Dan Myers announced the addition of Neumann University as the 17th member of the MAC beginning in the 2026-27 academic year.

"On behalf of the presidents of the member institutions of the Middle Atlantic Conference, it is my honor to welcome Neumann University to the conference," said President Myers. "Neumann is well positioned within the MAC footprint and brings a holistic approach to developing student-athletes that fits well with the MAC values. We look forward to competing against the Knights beginning in 2026-27."

The Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) is a group of diverse colleges and universities dedicated to the NCAA Division III philosophy, emphasizing the importance of athletics in the overall growth and success of students. With a long-standing history, the MAC provides a competitive athletic environment that fosters student-athlete development, academic achievement, and the values of good sportsmanship, preparing them for success in all aspects of life.

Neumann already competes in the MAC as an affiliate member in ice hockey, one of the university's established athletic programs. The Knights won the Division III national championship in 2009, and the MAC's strong commitment to hockey supports the development of Neumann's men's and women's programs, which currently include more than 80 student-athletes across varsity and club levels.

Over the past 15 years, Neumann has upgraded its athletic facilities, with more improvements planned. Most notably, the university has partnered with Ed Snider Youth Hockey & Education to facilitate the construction of the Ed Snider Ice Arena on campus. The building will include two ice rinks, one serving as the home for the university's ice hockey teams and another designated as the official home for Snider programming in Chester and Delaware counties. The rinks will have seating for 1,000 and 300 spectators, respectively.

"The MAC includes institutions that share Neumann's academic values, size, and student-centered approach," said Dr. Chris Domes, Neumann's president. "This move ensures our student-athletes continue to compete at a high level while thriving in an environment that mirrors our mission."

The Knights will bring a slate of nine men's and 10 women's NCAA teams to the MAC, including baseball, basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, volleyball and more. In the last year, the Knights have won conference titles in soccer and basketball. More than 350 varsity athletes participate in Neumann's athletic programs.

"The Middle Atlantic Conference is thrilled to welcome Neumann University," said MAC Executive Director Megan Morrison. "Neumann's commitment to holistic student-athlete development, rooted in their strong institutional values, aligns perfectly with the MAC's emphasis on academic excellence, sportsmanship, and community engagement. This partnership will enrich our conference and reinforce our commitment to the well-rounded development of student-athletes."

John Krimmel, director of athletics and recreation at Neumann, is excited about the collaboration. "At a time when many institutions are scaling back athletics," he explains, "Neumann is investing in growth. Joining the MAC strengthens our visibility, competitive opportunities, and institutional reputation across a broader geographic region."

Representatives of the MAC and Neumann University will hold a press conference about how Neumann will integrate into its new athletic home on Tuesday, April 22, at 11 a.m. in the Mirenda Center.

Perhaps this is the destination for SUNY New Paltz as well?  A bigger conference for NYC-area schools makes sense, especially with similar state schools in the area that are not CUNY schools.

New Jersey City University joining CUNYAC schools in forming a new and expanded DIII conference

QuoteNew Jersey City University will be the first of several institutions to join the eight current City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) institutions in an expanded and newly-formed NCAA Division III conference to begin play in the 2027-28 academic year.
 
The Gothic Knights, currently a member of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC), will wrap up membership in that league following the 2025-26 season before beginning competition as an affiliate member of the CUNYAC in 2026-27 in multiple sports.  The transition will begin in the spring of 2026 as NJCU will compete in the CUNYAC in men's volleyball.
 
"We welcome NJCU to the conference and look forward to their student-athletes participating in our student-centered competitions," said Dr. Fernando Delgado, president of Lehman College and chair of the CUNY Athletic Conference Council of Presidents.  "For the conference, this is an important step forward as we evolve and grow."
 
CUNYAC Commissioner Dr. Kurt Patberg added, "This is the first step of several of adding Division III institutions that seek to compete in a conference that has a special emphasis on New York City and the five boroughs."
 
New Jersey City University, located in Jersey City, New Jersey, sponsors a total of 15 NCAA Division III sports and enrolls 4,200 undergraduates and 6,600 total students.  The Gothic Knights compete in 13 CUNYAC-sponsored sports (baseball, men's and women's basketball, women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field, men's and women's volleyball).
 
The conference realignment will make NJCU the first school outside of the New York City five borough footprint to join the conference as a full-time member, with schools from the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens currently represented. The current CUNYAC membership includes schools Baruch College, Brooklyn College, City College of New York, Hunter College, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Lehman College, Medgar Evers College, and York College.
 
"Alexander Hamilton, one of America's founding fathers, prophetically envisioned a great city rising on the west bank of the Hudson—today's Jersey City," said Andrés Acebo, Interim President of New Jersey City University.  "Joining this newly formed conference represents more than an athletic conference realignment; it's a bold strategic decision that showcases our students' and athletic staff's exceptional talent on a great regional stage while advancing NJCU's century-long legacy. As America's most diverse city, Jersey City's global character mirrors our student body and that of the current CUNYAC institutions. This partnership not only strengthens our athletic future but powerfully positions our university's mission for its next chapter.  We're coming and we're bringing our Jersey grit, determination, and resilience with us.""
 
"Jersey City could very well be the sixth borough, and this move represents an exciting new chapter for NJCU Athletics," said NJCU Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics Robert Cole.  "By joining the CUNYAC as affiliate members in most sports in 2026-27 and becoming a founding member of the new league the following year, we are positioning our student-athletes to compete on one of the biggest stages in the world—the New York City media market. This alignment not only extends our brand across the Hudson River, but also opens the door to shared resources, institutional partnerships with similar student populations, and access to invaluable opportunities in professional development, internships, and networking that were previously untapped. It's a transformative step for our university, our athletics program, and most importantly, our students."

Wonder which non-CUNYAC schools will be next?  Maybe this is SUNY New Paltz' destination.

New Jersey City University First to Join CUNYAC Institutions in Forming New and Expanded DIII Conference in 2027

QuoteNew Jersey City University will be the first of several institutions to join the eight current City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) institutions in an expanded and newly-formed NCAA Division III conference to begin play in the 2027-28 academic year.
 
The Gothic Knights, currently a member of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC), will wrap up membership in that league following the 2025-26 season before beginning competition as an affiliate member of the CUNYAC in 2026-27 in multiple sports.  The transition will begin in the spring of 2026 as NJCU will compete in the CUNYAC in men's volleyball.
 
"We welcome NJCU to the conference and look forward to their student-athletes participating in our student-centered competitions," said Dr. Fernando Delgado, president of Lehman College and chair of the CUNY Athletic Conference Council of Presidents.  "For the conference, this is an important step forward as we evolve and grow."
 
CUNYAC Commissioner Dr. Kurt Patberg added, "This is the first step of several of adding Division III institutions that seek to compete in a conference that has a special emphasis on New York City and the five boroughs."
 
New Jersey City University, located in Jersey City, New Jersey, sponsors a total of 15 NCAA Division III sports and enrolls 4,200 undergraduates and 6,600 total students.  The Gothic Knights compete in 13 CUNYAC-sponsored sports (baseball, men's and women's basketball, women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field, men's and women's volleyball).
 
The conference realignment will make NJCU the first school outside of the New York City five borough footprint to join the conference as a full-time member, with schools from the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens currently represented. The current CUNYAC membership includes schools Baruch College, Brooklyn College, City College of New York, Hunter College, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Lehman College, Medgar Evers College, and York College.
 
"Alexander Hamilton, one of America's founding fathers, prophetically envisioned a great city rising on the west bank of the Hudson—today's Jersey City," said Andrés Acebo, Interim President of New Jersey City University.  "Joining this newly formed conference represents more than an athletic conference realignment; it's a bold strategic decision that showcases our students' and athletic staff's exceptional talent on a great regional stage while advancing NJCU's century-long legacy. As America's most diverse city, Jersey City's global character mirrors our student body and that of the current CUNYAC institutions. This partnership not only strengthens our athletic future but powerfully positions our university's mission for its next chapter.  We're coming and we're bringing our Jersey grit, determination, and resilience with us.""
 
"Jersey City could very well be the sixth borough, and this move represents an exciting new chapter for NJCU Athletics," said NJCU Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics Robert Cole.  "By joining the CUNYAC as affiliate members in most sports in 2026-27 and becoming a founding member of the new league the following year, we are positioning our student-athletes to compete on one of the biggest stages in the world—the New York City media market. This alignment not only extends our brand across the Hudson River, but also opens the door to shared resources, institutional partnerships with similar student populations, and access to invaluable opportunities in professional development, internships, and networking that were previously untapped. It's a transformative step for our university, our athletics program, and most importantly, our students."

Notwithstanding the April snow storm in the Northeast, we're starting to see the first signs of spring - postings of Fall 2025 Men's Soccer schedules!  I'm interested to see if the new NPI rules will affect the nature of non-conference games.  Last year's schedules were largely done before the NPI rules were finalized and while many schedules are still affected by prior year scheduling decisions because of home-and-away contracts, it will be interesting to see if we notice signs of scheduling adjustments now that teams are not necessarily chasing wins against regionally ranked opponents.

Below are a few early ones. As with last season, the upper Midwest tends to post earlier, possibly because they want to wish spring into existence!  This region also may be less revealing about scheduling changes since the distances are greater and teams tend to stay playing teams in the same circles.

Coe College

Wisconsin-Platteville looks to be the second half of a home-and-away series, but North Central is a strong new addition.

Augsburg

Linfield traveling to Augsburg for an early season match.  Maybe this helps Linfield's strength of schedule, which is something the Northwest Conference struggles with given their isolation and double round-robin conference schedule, but I suspect this was in the works for awhile since many teams, particularly in Region X, budget for one big pre-conference trip every four years as kind of a reward for the players and as a recruiting foray for the coaches and to raise the profile of the school in a big metro area like Minneapolis.  For Augsburg, unless Linfield dramatically improves this season or Augsburg collapses, it provides the Auggies with an easier early season opponent.

North Central

The is the first schedule that seems less loaded than last season (at least based on preseason expectations in both years).  Gone are St. Olaf, Gustavus Adolphus, Wisconsin-Platteville, and University of Chicago.  In their place are Wartburg and Coe, which are part of an Iowa weekend, Monmouth, and Illinois Institute of Technology

Wisconsin-Whitewater

They play North Park and Loras on return trips, but Macalester is gone from the schedule and they pick up teams like Webster and Greenville in a trip south to return a game against Westminster

Aurora

They play University of Chicago in a return trip, but replace Wash U and Wisconsin Eau Claire with North Park and one less non-conference game.

North Park

Lots of familiar teams, but replaces Wisconsin Eau Claire with Wisconsin Platteville

Central College

Replaces Macalester and Westminster with Wisconsin River Falls and Blackburn

Calvin

Calvin hosting Ohio Wesleyan on opening weekend for perhaps OWU's first or second game in the post-Jay Martin era should be interesting.  Otherwise, a pretty different schedule from 2024.  Not sure Oberlin will compare to Mount Union or Ohio Northern.

Incredibly sad and disturbing story

https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/middlesex/former-wesleyan-soccer-player-accused-of-killing-brother-in-new-jersey/

QuoteA former Wesleyan soccer player was arrested this week for the murder of his brother in New Jersey, according to the Mercer County prosecutor's office.

Matthew Hertgen, 31, was charged with first-degree murder and various weapon offenses related to possession of a knife and golf club, along with one count of third-degree animal cruelty in connection to the death of his brother, 26-year-old Joseph Hertgen.

Officials with Wesleyan University confirmed Matthew Hertgen attended Wesleyan and played on the men's soccer team before graduating in 2015. Both were living in Princeton Borough at the time of the alleged crime.

Matthew Hertgen played 53 games over four years at Wesleyan, graduating in 2015

D3 Men's Soccer Recruiting 101

This thread is intended to provide a very high-level introduction to the D3 men's soccer recruiting process.  If you're on this board, I'm going to assume you're already interested in D3 soccer, so this isn't a "Why D3?" post, although I will mention some unique features of D3 which h may affect the recruiting process and may also speak to the appeal of playing D3 soccer.  Think of it as a nuts and bolts, how-to, type of thread.  With NCAA rules changing on the fly these days (often in response to legislative or judicial moves), it's always a good idea to confirm everything is still current, although I will try to update the thread as necessary.

I hesitate to give this a platform that suggests it may actually happen, but there are enough murmurs of it on social media that I think it is a worthy topic for discussion about it and its possible effects on the rest of the NCAA ecosystem, including DIII.

In late October, rumors started floating around that certain DI schools, frustrated in their attempt to have a fall-spring season, and seeing the coming issues for non-revenue sports under the NCAA going forward in a post-House settlement world where colleges have to pay players, were considering either leaving the NCAA for US Soccer or cooperating with US Soccer on a joint venture that was described as likely "semi-professional."

This weekend, the rumors started popping up again, with reports that the idea had progressed to the point that USL League One had reportedly offered to include these college teams in its league, with the ACC and Big 10 conference men's soccer teams potentially moving en masse, with other conferences/teams being invited to participate as well.

It seems serious enough that a screenshot was circulated of a pilot program, with different format depending upon how many teams joined

I tend to think the notion of college soccer teams joining and playing in a league under the US Soccer umbrella isn't crazy, especially if the alternative is cutting teams and being subject to some of the restrictions of the House settlement AND if they could generate some revenue of their own by being in USL League One (which doesn't make much money as it is).

If all of DI moved, I'm not sure what NCAA would do with men's soccer.  Maybe it would no longer be an NCAA sport or maybe it just wouldn't provide the NCAA tournament subsidies that it does now.  Either way, it's interesting to contemplate.

Jon Rothstein, a college basketball reporter for CBS Sports, is reporting that the NCAA is considering allowing 5 years of eligibility in all sports.

This isn't breaking news though.  Ross Dellinger of Yahoo Sports reported earlier this fall that this was under consideration.

Here is what was reported earlier this fall:

QuoteMember schools plan to seriously consider granting athletes in all sports, not just football, the ability to participate in up to a certain percentage of games in a fifth season and still use their redshirt.

The potential changes are part of what is expected to be a year-long comprehensive review of NCAA athlete-eligibility rules to reflect and operationalize the House settlement terms, according to documents obtained by Yahoo Sports. The documents will be reviewed this coming week during a video call of the NCAA Division I Council.

Recommendations and approval of the athlete-eligibility rules are expected to occur on a rolling basis and be presented to the DI Council for consideration at regular quarterly meetings through October 2025.

That description sounds like an adjustment to the redshirt rule, rather than a blanket 5th year, and since DIII doesn't have a redshirt rule (and has a pretty restrictive injury rule), it presumably wouldn't apply to DIII.  Nevertheless, with judicial rulings and political changes altering the landscape significantly over the last few months, it's possible that they are considering a 5th year of eligibility that is both broader (not requiring a redshirt or a modified redshirt for a limited number of games played) and applies to all divisions, similar to the Covid rule.

DIII observers are taking this seriously, with DIII college basketball podcast host Bob Quillman arguing that this would create a have and have-nots for DIII schools based on whether they offer grad programs.

QuoteThis would permanently create a non-level playing field in D3 between schools with and without grad programs.  It's been one thing to have this in the 4 yrs after the pandemic...but wow.

I really hope @NCAADIII thinks long and hard about the implications here.

I'm not so sure that University Administrators of DIII schools would look at it the way Bob does.  I think they are already looking at a shortfall in enrollment with the demographic cliff and they would seriously consider anything that keeps students around and paying tuition for 5 rather than 4 years as an opportunity.  Unlike with the Covid year, which was clearly temporary, I think in a long-term rule change schools would pursue ways to capture that extra revenue, whether by starting some grad programs, partnering with other universities on grad programs where they could take classes at the home institution during the semester in which they play their sport and at the grad institution in the other semester (or even a model like the Claremont Graduate University, which is the graduate program for all of the schools in the Claremont consortium), or creating revenue-generating, non-degree earning, study abroad, public service, or externship options that they could do for a semester or more while formally being withdrawn from school and then coming back to finish up their last semester of coursework while playing the last season of their sport (some schools already do these things in the Fall with students who are offered Spring semester starts their freshman year).  Many of those options could be structured either in a way that avoids the extra burden on campus housing and infrastructure from having more students on campus at any given time, while still providing schools some revenue (share of fees) while they are away doing other things or in a way that keeps the students on campus to fill up otherwise empty dorms and instead permits the grad work or non-degree earning work to be done remotely or nearby.

By the way, some of this already happened under Covid 5th year rules.  I know players at schools without grad programs who took off a semester (either during Covid or at some later point) and worked, often in internships in their expected field, so they could come back and play a 5th season.  They sometimes weren't identified as 5th years or grad students, so you wouldn't know if you didn't know the player/team or didn't look at their stats/bio on the website.

United Soccer Coaches released their All-American Teams today.  As is usual, there are some head-scratchers and some notable omissions, but that's usually because there are so many worthy options.  Congrats to all!

https://unitedsoccercoaches.org/ncaa-division-iii-mens-and-womens-all-america-teams-announced/

First Team


Pos    Name    Class    School    Hometown
K    Freddy Rogers    Sr.    University of Mary Washington    High Wycombe, England
D    Max Clivio*    GR-5    Tufts University    Kingston, Jamaica
D    Jared Hecht    GR-5    Gustavus Adolphus College    Apple Valley, Minn.
D    Luke Madden*    Sr.    Middlebury College    Manhattan Beach, Calif.
M    Nelsar Castillo    Sr.    University of Mary Washington    Falls Church, Va.
M    Koa Kaliebe*    Sr.    Franklin & Marshall College    Cary, N.C.
M    Mateo Marra*    GR-5    SUNY Cortland    Ossining, N.Y.
F    Carter Berg*    Sr.    University of Mary Washington    Reston, Va.
F    Nathan Donovan    Sr.    University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire    Hazel Green, Wis.
F    Connor Gage    Fr.    Edgewood College    Verona, Wis.
F    Diego Rivera    Jr.    Buffalo State College    East Meadow, N.Y.


Second Team


Pos    Name    Class    School    Hometown
K    Christian Burkhart    GR-5    St. John Fisher College    Rochester, N.Y.
K    Alex Wolter    So.    Colorado College    New Canaan, Conn.
D    Matt Nguyen    Sr.    Kenyon College    Dudley, Mass.
D    JonConnor Rule    Sr.    Trinity University (Texas)    San Antonio, Texas
D    Benjamin Velasquez    Jr.    University of Lynchburg    Dale City, Va.
M    Kento Abe    GR-5    Babson College    Quincy, Mass.
M    Francis Meyer    GR-5    Johns Hopkins University    North Potomac, Md.
M    Manuel Prieto    Sr.    Buffalo State College    Cascais, Portugal
F    Weyimi Agbeyegbe*    Sr.    Washington & Lee University    Atlanta, Ga.
F    Shea Bechtel*    Sr.    St. Olaf College    Apple Valley, Minn.
F    Carter Hancock*    GR-5    University of Mount Union    Amherst, Ohio
F    Saul Iwowo    Jr.    Dickinson College    London, England
F    Jake Krueger    Sr.    Denison University    Wilmette, Ill.




Third Team

Pos    Name    Class    School    Hometown
K    Tommy Prokos    Sr.    Denison University    Park Ridge, Ill.
K    Walker White    Sr.    Babson College    Coral Gables, Fla.
D    Jack Leahy    Sr.    SUNY Alfred    Pittsford, N.Y.
D    Hugo Neborg    Jr.    North Park University    Halmstad, Sweden
D    Brady West*    Sr.    Ohio Wesleyan University    Dublin, Ohio
M    Nicholas Graeca    Sr.    John Carroll University    Dubois, Pa.
M    Ethan Jarden    Jr.    Dickinson College    West Chester, Pa.
M    Rafael Otero    Sr.    Claremont-McKenna-Scripps Colleges    Seattle, Wash.
F    Jared Fiske    Jr.    Vassar College    Livingston, N.J.
F    Matt Shultz    Sr.    SUNY Cortland    Oneonta, N.Y.
F    Ali Somow*    Sr.    SUNY Oneonta    Utica, N.Y.
F    Shawn Tanaka    Fr    Juniata College    Tokyo, Japan
F    Johnny Troiano    Jr.    Rowan University    Hazlet, N.J.

Fourth Team

Pos   Name   Class   School   Hometown
K   Ben Diffley   Sr.   Williams College   Summerville, S.C.
D   Turlough Gartlan   Sr.   Rowan University   Haworth, N.J.
D   Curtis Hale   Sr.   Colorado College   Richmond, Va.
D   Henri Heyes   Jr.   Denison University   New Albany, Ohio
D   Alex Lessman   GR-5   SUNY Cortland   Plainview, N.Y.
M   Tyler Huck   Jr.   Bowdoin College   Ross, Calif.
M   Owen Johnson   GR-5   Gustavus Adolphus College   Apple Valley, Minn.
M   Alex Moody   GR-5   Virginia Wesleyan University   Portsmouth, Va.
M   Manzi Shalita   GR-5   University of Lynchburg   Fairfax, Va.
F   Ben Alram*   Sr.   Oglethorpe University   Roujan, France
F   Mohammad Nuhu   So.   Amherst College   Accra, Ghana
F   Matt Scoffone*   Sr.   Connecticut College   Thornton, Pa.
F   Holden Woodings   Jr.   Catholic University   Bethesda, Md.

This is being discussed in a few different threads on this Board, so I thought it might make sense to make a thread for it.

As most people know, the House settlement proposed mandatory roster caps for DI sports. Here's a recent article with the basic details:

QuotePart of the pending agreement would set new limits for the maximum roster size of every Division I NCAA-sponsored sport, reducing D-I opportunities by at least 4,739 if the settlement is approved.

Because the roster caps are smaller than the current average roster sizes in some sports, it is already having an effect, leading to roster cuts, withdrawn roster/scholarship offers to incoming students, and encouragements to players to transfer.

QuoteThe new maximum roster size for 19 of 43 NCAA sports would be smaller than the current average roster in those sports. A handful of sports, including football, baseball and women's soccer, would be disproportionately affected. Those reductions already have forced many coaches to renege on verbal promises they made despite the pending uncertainty about roster sizes.

Football, baseball and women's soccer would all need to shed more than 1,000 athletes from their Division I ranks, according to data on the NCAA's website. The new limits in other sports are higher than current average roster sizes, which could lead to more opportunities if schools opt to increase spots on those teams. If those sports remain at their current size, the overall reduction in D-1 could be closer to 10,000 spots.

According to the article, Men's Soccer is one of the 19 sports where the roster cap is smaller than the current roster size:

QuoteSport            New Max          2023-2024

Men' Soccer              28            32.5

There is still uncertainty about the details surrounding the roster caps because the House Settlement requires court approval.  Also, the election creates additional uncertainty because it may fast track a legislative solution that could either ratify or completely change the settlement details or remove the roster cap.  Nevertheless, roster construction is already proceeding as if the 28 number will not change.

QuoteThe fine print around new roster limits remains undecided, leading to more uncertainty as teams construct their 2025-26 rosters. One power conference official told ESPN that the college sports industry was in the process of making decades worth of changes in a year's time, and while the official said he empathizes with the coaches and recruits feeling the brunt of those adjustments, answers to all their questions are still weeks or months away.

Some DI schools were below 28 players and might pick up players.  Others have recruited fewer players and will fill spots left by graduated seniors with transfers from higher DI schools.  But some players will transfer to DIII schools and some incoming players who might have gone DI in past years will go DIII instead.

Perhaps as evidence of the interest of D3 schools in this development, check out the D3 attendees at what appears to be a new thing - the Ray Reid Portal ID Soccer Combine for men's soccer players on Dec. 7 at Columbia

Something like 40% of the schools reported to be attending are D3 men's soccer programs, some of which aren't historically known for accepting many transfer students. 

Buckle up - the Covid grad transfer pipeline may be changing tracks from grad transfers to regular transfers, but it is still motoring along.

https://unitedsoccercoaches.org/rankings/college-rankings/ncaa-diii-men/

National - Poll 1 - September 10, 2024
Rank    School    Prev    W-L-T
1    Amherst College    2    2-0-0
2    SUNY Cortland    13    5-0-0
3    Messiah University    18    3-0-0
4    University of Mary Washington    9    4-0-0
5    Kenyon College    19    3-0-1
6    Middlebury College    5    3-0-0
7    Colorado College    6    4-0-0
8    Rowan University    NR    2-1-1
9    University of Chicago    7    2-1-0
10    Gustavus Adolphus College    RV    3-0-1
11    Tufts University    10    2-0-0
12    Worcester Polytechnic Institute    NR    4-0-0
13    Ohio Northern University    15    3-1-0
14    Dickinson College    NR    4-0-0
15    Roanoke College    NR    2-0-1
16    Plattsburgh State University    NR    3-0-1
17    University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire    16    3-0-1
18    Lebanon Valley College    NR    3-1-0
19    United States Coast Guard Academy    NR    4-0-0
20    North Park University    NR    2-0-2
21    Southwestern University    NR    3-0-1
22    University of Rochester    RV    1-1-1
23    Denison University    NR    3-0-1
24    Wheaton College (Mass.)    NR    3-1-1
25    Covenant College    NR    4-0-0

Records shown are through games of September 8, 2024

Also receiving votes: Swarthmore College, Connecticut College, Bowdoin College, Trinity University (Texas), Macalester College, Hope College, Christopher Newport University, Franklin & Marshall College, Claremont-McKenna-Harvey Mudd-Scripps Colleges, John Carroll University

After about 4 games for most teams (and 2 games for NESCAC schools), I thought it would be interesting to look at early season individual and team leaders:

Through September 9

Goals:

1.      Sammy Amorose    Mary Washington    6
-    Juan Camacho    Mount Aloysius    6
-    Connor Gage    Edgewood    6
-    Diego Rivera    Buffalo St.    6
-    Johnny Troiano    Rowan    6
6    Carter Berg    Mary Washington    5
-    Nathan Donovan    Wis.-Eau Claire    5
-    Aki Freeman    Coast Guard    5
-    Enrique Gonzalez    Aurora    5
-    Davis Knight    Piedmont    5

Assists:

1    Landon Stock    Southern Va.    6
2    Kade Theunissen    Covenant    5
3    Jonathan Bayer    Hamline    4
-    Alex Depperschmidt    Mount Union    4
-    Matthew Escobar    Wm. Paterson    4
-    Connor Gage    Edgewood    4
-    Mason Keith    Piedmont    4
-    Will Powell    Trinity (TX)    4
-    Manu Prieto    Buffalo St.    4
-    Diego Rivera    Buffalo St.    4

Scoring Offense:

1    Alfred St.    6.75
2    Rivier    6.00
3    Southern Va.    5.75
4    Nazareth    5.50
5    Ursinus    5.33
6    Edgewood    5.00
7    Colorado Col.    4.50
8    George Fox    4.33
9    Hamline    4.20
10    Middlebury    4.00

Goals Against Average:

1    Carleton    .000
-    Coast Guard    .000
-    Colorado Col.    .000
-    Denison    .000
-    SUNY Maritime    .000
-    Ursinus    .000
-    Adrian            .000
-    Amherst    .000
-    SUNY Poly    .000
-    Tufts            .000

I know these boards tend not to have threads devoted to an individual team, but given the lack of traffic on the Women's Soccer Board and the interest from the Men's Board on the fortunes of Mike Singleton in his move from Men's soccer Final Four participant W&L to Goucher Women's Soccer, I thought it would be worth it to label a thread devoted to the team so fans of Singleton could more easily keep track of how he's doing.

Right now, it looks he's still hustling for players.  This is what he just posted late at night on Friday June 21:

https://x.com/GoucherSoccer/status/1804366403602157643

QuoteLast chance for 2024s....please let us know if you wish to join us at Michael.Singleton@goucher.edu

He posted the following two weeks ago:

https://x.com/GoucherSoccer/status/1799073439732666617

QuoteIf you are a 2024 grad looking for a spot please let us know as our Admissions is still allowing applicants if you get it in right away

Last year, they had 30 listed on the roster.  7 were seniors.  Assuming none of them are returning for a COVID year, that's not a huge class to replace.  So, my guess is one or more of the following is at work (1) he is trying to upgrade the quality given that he came in too late to really influence most of the recruiting, (2) he lost players with the coaching transition, and/or (3) Admissions is pushing for him to expand the roster to help with enrollment.  Another possibility is that they are either flush with financial aid money and hoping to capitalize on the FAFSA snafu or they aren't and lost a few recruits to it.  In any event, it's not surprising that he is being proactive.

https://gallaudetbison.com/news/2024/5/2/athletics-news-.aspx

QuoteAthletics is steadfastly committed to regularly evaluating its sports offerings, recognizing the importance of staying aligned with evolving needs and trends in our student body and sport team viability. It is with a heavy heart that a decision was made to close our baseball and women's soccer programs, effective immediately.

The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel has approved playing rule changes for 2024

https://www.ncaa.org/news/2024/4/18/media-center-substitution-rules-changes-approved-for-di-mens-soccer.aspx

One rule is limited to D1 Men's soccer, but I suspect it will end up making D3 men's soccer a bit more attractive to some players.  Starting in Fall 2024 in D1 men's soccer, there is NO RE-ENTRY in either half.  My guess is that this will cut down on playing time for some players who used to come in just to give the starters a break, which could particularly affect some players early in their college careers.  It also may mean more players play the whole game, especially at schools with a gap in quality between starters and reserves.  My guess is that some D3 coaches will use this rule change as a recruiting tool for players who are on the D1/D3 fringes and for whom playing time matters.

As for rules applicable to D3 soccer, they are stopping the clock for certain substitutions to avoid subs that are designed to waste time.

QuoteIn all three levels of men's and women's soccer, the committee recommended that the clock will be stopped on all substitutions made by the team leading the game or if the score is tied in the last 15 minutes of the second half and in overtime periods.

Here are the other proposed changes.  I can't imagine enough cameras will be available for VAR in DIII games, but I guess it technically will be legally possible

QuoteExpanded video review

The panel approved expanding video review. If video review equipment is available, referees can initiate reviews on the following plays:

    Potential penalty kick situations.
    Potential straight red card situations. (An ejection for two yellow cards is not reviewable.)
    Any potential offside violation involving goal-scoring opportunities.
    Denial of obvious goal-scoring opportunities.

Other rules proposals

    The sudden-victory (golden goal) overtime format will be used in postseason play.
    Teams must provide copies of their rosters, with starters indicated, to the scorer's table, opposing coach and referee 15 minutes before kickoff. The copy given to the referee shall not have card information listed.

Point of emphasis

Officials will be instructed to watch decorum by coaches and players in the coaching and team areas next season. The committee considered proposing that all bench personnel, except for the head coach, remain seated during play.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no evidence that the "point of emphasis" was called the "Amherst Rule" in committee.

This is from the Basketball Board, but I thought since most of it applied to soccer, it was useful to apply here too.  Sadly, I think this is going to continue to grow and change, so best to check back with the original thread

So, with thank yous to @KnightSlappy, here it is

Provisional Pipeline for 2023-24
Full membership fall 2023: MUW
3rd year provisional members (full membership fall 2024): Asbury, Warren Wilson
2nd year provisional members: Hartford, Lyon
1st year provisional members: Carlow
Exploratory: Penn State-Brandywine

* Games against Year 3 provisional members count the same as games against full-members for regional-ranking and tournament selection purposes

Provisional Pipeline for 2024-25
Exploratory: Regent, Mayville State, Johnson and Wales (NC)

Conference Changes Starting in 2024-2025
Asbury joins the CCS
Berea leaves the CCS for the HCAC
Birmingham-Southern (SAA) closes
Brockport leaves the SUNYAC for the E8
Cabrini (AEC) closes
Concordia (Texas) leaves the ASC for the SCAC
Defiance (HCAC) leaves D3 for NAIA.
Fontbonne athletics in limbo? (closing in 2025-26)
Johnson & Wales leaves the GNAC for the CCC
McMurry leaves the ASC for the SCAC
Morrisville State leaves the UEC for the SUNYAC
Penn State-Brandywine joins the UEC (provisional pending)
Pratt leaves the C2C for the AEC
SUNY Canton leaves the NAC for the SUNYAC
SUNY Geneseo leaves the SUNYAC for the E8
SUNY Poly leaves the NAC for the E8
Texas-Dallas leaves the ASC for D2 (application process pending)
University of the Ozarks leaves the ASC for the SCAC
CCS expected to gain Pool A bid
Expecting 43 Pool A bids, 0 Pool B bids, 21 Pool C bids

Conference Changes Starting in 2025-2026
Anna Maria leaves GNAC for the MASCAC
Fontbonne (SLIAC) closes
John Carroll leaves the OAC for the NCAC
LeTourneau leaves the ASC for the SCAC
Southwestern leaves the SCAC for the SAA
Trinity (Texas) leaves the SCAC for the SAA
Expecting 43 Pool A bids, 0 Pool B bids, 21 Pool C bids

Conference Changes Starting in 2025-2026
SUNY New Paltz leaves the SUNYAC for ?TBD?
Expecting 43 Pool A bids, 0 Pool B bids, 21 Pool C bids

MASSIVE change recommended by the NCAA Division III Championships Committee on NCAA Tournament Selection Criteria for all team sports.  This is kind of a "throw out everything you think you knew about how teams are seeded and Pool C bids are handed out" rule.  It could dramatically influence how coaches construct their schedules in the future, but because it is supposed to go into effect for Fall 2024 under the recommendation, there will be teams advantaged or disadvantaged by the change right now if it is approved.

Here is the Recommendation:

Quote(1) Recommendation. That the NCAA Power Index (NPI) be adopted as the selection metric
for selecting non-automatic qualifiers for the championship field for Division III team
sports.
(2) Effective date. September 1, 2024.

What does that mean?

Effectively, they will replace human selection committees with an algorithm.

What changes and what is in the algorithm (quotes from the FAQ section in the December release)?

They are basically recommending using the PairWise system in place already for Hockey to ensure more consistency in selection criteria. 

QuoteMost of the current selection criteria will no longer be used: head-to-head competition;
results versus common Division III opponents; results versus ranked Division III teams; and
secondary criteria. Winning percentage and strength of schedule will remain.

QuoteThe selection criteria database will continue to use winning percentage and strength of
schedule along with a home/away multiplier, quality win bonus (QWB) and overtime results
(in applicable sports).

The home/away multiplier can be used to increase the weight of away wins and home losses
while decreasing the weight of home wins and away losses. The QWB provides a bonus for
wins against top-level teams, the degree of which is determined by the sport committee.

Soccer could adopt different weights on these criteria than in other sports

QuoteThe weight of winning percentage versus strength of schedule is often referred to as one of the
"dials" that a sport committee can adjust, placing any subjectivity within the criteria
themselves. For example, a sport committee could set the dials to 70/30; 75/25, etc. Other
"dials" a sport committee can also choose to apply are home and away multiplier, quality win
bonus (QWB), and overtime win/loss weights.

What are the key differences in this change?

1.  Regional Advisory Committees less important

RACs lose almost all of their power.  They basically make sure there aren't mistakes (like North Central (MN)'s results being assigned to North Central (IL) or vice versa.

2.  Regional Rankings are just for fun

They will still be published, but the rankings will be based upon the algorithm and not the committee.  There is no effect in playing regionally ranked opponents other than possible SoS benefits

3.  Wins against lesser opponents will not hurt a strong team - the key difference, as I will illustrate in a subsequent post

QuoteAnother benefit of the database is that teams are not penalized for winning a contest that it
should win. For example, in the current system if a strong team plays a weaker team its
strength-of-schedule will be negatively impacted even though it won the contest – as it should.
In the selection criteria database, the team that wins a contest against a lesser opponent will
not be statistically impacted by winning a contest it should win. This will greatly benefit
stronger teams in weaker conferences.

https://www.al.com/educationlab/2024/03/birmingham-southern-college-will-close-may-31-as-loan-bill-fails-to-gain-support.html

Quote"The Board of Trustees voted unanimously today to close the College after a 2024 bill designed to amend the 2023 legislation that established the loan program on which our future depended failed to win sufficient support in the Alabama House of Representatives. Without that funding, the College does not have the resources to continue," a letter from the Rev. Keith D. Thompson, the chair of BSC Board of Trustees, states.

I wouldn't be surprised if many of the soccer players had already transferred, but I feel bad for those who are now scrambling for places to go.

The Southern Athletic Association has already effectively planned for this event with the additions of Trinity and Southwestern from the SCAC starting Fall 2025 (and they still will have 7 for Fall 2024), but there are going to be a bunch of schools with holes in their schedule for next fall.  Among non-conference schools in the south, Birmingham Southern was a regular opponent.  Emory has played them most years, as has Huntington.