FB: New Jersey Athletic Conference

[UfanBill]

In case you missed this Salisbury, Kean and William Paterson fans should plan their fall trip to Vermont now because this may be their last chance to experience the splendor of fall with football in New England. In the ever changing world of college sports often one thing can have a profound effect on another. When Anna Maria announced it was closing back in April it meant the 10 team MASCAC would be losing a Football member. No big deal right, and how would that effect the NJAC? Turn to today's revelation that NJAC associate football member Vermont St. Castleton will be leaving the NJAC and rejoining the MASCAC for 2027. The loss of Anna Maria opened a spot in the MASCAC that had been controversially stripped from Castleton two years ago and led to them finding a temporary home in the NJAC. Soon they'll be going back to a league that better suits their footprint both competitively and geographically. Good for them but what will the NJAC do? Starting in 2027 the NJAC will be down to 7 teams and the status of a couple of other current members is teetering. What will the NJAC look like in 2027?     

[unionpalooza]

In case you missed this Salisbury, Kean and William Paterson fans should plan their fall trip to Vermont now because this may be their last chance to experience the splendor of fall with football in New England. In the ever changing world of college sports often one thing can have a profound effect on another. When Anna Maria announced it was closing back in April it meant the 10 team MASCAC would be losing a Football member. No big deal right, and how would that effect the NJAC? Turn to today's revelation that NJAC associate football member Vermont St. Castleton will be leaving the NJAC and rejoining the MASCAC for 2027. The loss of Anna Maria opened a spot in the MASCAC that had been controversially stripped from Castleton two years ago and led to them finding a temporary home in the NJAC. Soon they'll be going back to a league that better suits their footprint both competitively and geographically. Good for them but what will the NJAC do? Starting in 2027 the NJAC will be down to 7 teams and the status of a couple of other current members is teetering. What will the NJAC look like in 2027?     

What NJAC schools are teetering?

[MRMIKESMITH]

In case you missed this Salisbury, Kean and William Paterson fans should plan their fall trip to Vermont now because this may be their last chance to experience the splendor of fall with football in New England. In the ever changing world of college sports often one thing can have a profound effect on another. When Anna Maria announced it was closing back in April it meant the 10 team MASCAC would be losing a Football member. No big deal right, and how would that effect the NJAC? Turn to today's revelation that NJAC associate football member Vermont St. Castleton will be leaving the NJAC and rejoining the MASCAC for 2027. The loss of Anna Maria opened a spot in the MASCAC that had been controversially stripped from Castleton two years ago and led to them finding a temporary home in the NJAC. Soon they'll be going back to a league that better suits their footprint both competitively and geographically. Good for them but what will the NJAC do? Starting in 2027 the NJAC will be down to 7 teams and the status of a couple of other current members is teetering. What will the NJAC look like in 2027?     

What NJAC schools are teetering?

I would like to know as well...don't be shy! However, regarding Castleton, that is an awesome move, that allows them to save on funding and return to a conference that aligns to their talent level at the current moment. 

[RowanPhan]

Are there any schools that would be good additions into the NJAC?

[RowanPhan]

2 weeks until Camp kickoff. I asked gemeni to pull together a preview...

Team-by-Team Breakdown
🏆 The Title Contenders
Salisbury Sea Gulls (#17): Entering the 2026 season ranked inside the top 20, Salisbury remains the standard-bearer for the NJAC. Known for their punishing rushing attack and disciplined defense, the Sea Gulls have a target on their backs. With 237 poll points, national voters expect them to make another deep run, but they will have to navigate a grueling conference slate to secure the automatic bid.

Christopher Newport Captains (#18): Sitting just one spot behind Salisbury in the national polls with 182 points, the Captains are primed to make a major push for the conference crown. The gap between CNU and Salisbury has rarely been narrower, and the eventual late-season clash between these two juggernauts is widely expected to decide the NJAC champion.

🐎 The Dark Horse
Rowan Profs (RV): The Profs are knocking on the door of the Top 25, receiving 11 votes in the preseason media poll. Rowan has the opportunity to make an immediate national statement in Week 1. If they can build momentum early, they possess the talent and grit to disrupt the Salisbury-CNU dominance at the top of the standings.

🛡� The Battle for the Middle
Montclair State Red Hawks: Looking to establish an early rhythm, the Red Hawks will actually kick off the entire NJAC slate on Thursday, September 3, facing off against Merchant Marine at 5:00 PM.

TCNJ Lions: The Lions aim to take a step forward in 2026 and will test their mettle early, opening up at home against Lycoming on September 5.

Kean Cougars: Kean opens its 2026 campaign at home against Morrisville State, hoping to build early non-conference confidence before diving into the unforgiving NJAC gauntlet.

William Paterson Pioneers: Opening their season against Western Connecticut, the Pioneers are looking to climb out of the conference basement and pull off a few stunners against the middle of the pack this fall.

[CNU85]

Anchor Bowl

CNU will play cross town Apprentice School. in the inaugural Anchor Bowl.  This event is being built up in the community. Luncheons, former NFL QB and Newport News native Aaron Brooks is the keynote speaker. He went to a high school that was located on what is now part of the CNU campus. He's also Michael Vick's cousin.

I bought a table for 8 and will be speaking briefly about the QB Club. Should be a fun day. The game, Sept 5th will be sold out for sure. 7pm kickoff. Fireworks after the game. A great way to start the season.

[The Third Division]

Anchor Bowl

CNU will play cross town Apprentice School. in the inaugural Anchor Bowl.  This event is being built up in the community. Luncheons, former NFL QB and Newport News native Aaron Brooks is the keynote speaker. He went to a high school that was located on what is now part of the CNU campus. He's also Michael Vick's cousin.

I bought a table for 8 and will be speaking briefly about the QB Club. Should be a fun day. The game, Sept 5th will be sold out for sure. 7pm kickoff. Fireworks after the game. A great way to start the season.

Is this bowl happening because CNU couldn't find a d3 non conf opponent or because the schools actively wanted to play each other? This does not serve NPI at all.

[CNU85]

Anchor Bowl

CNU will play cross town Apprentice School. in the inaugural Anchor Bowl.  This event is being built up in the community. Luncheons, former NFL QB and Newport News native Aaron Brooks is the keynote speaker. He went to a high school that was located on what is now part of the CNU campus. He's also Michael Vick's cousin.

I bought a table for 8 and will be speaking briefly about the QB Club. Should be a fun day. The game, Sept 5th will be sold out for sure. 7pm kickoff. Fireworks after the game. A great way to start the season.

Is this bowl happening because CNU couldn't find a d3 non conf opponent or because the schools actively wanted to play each other? This does not serve NPI at all.

Good question. I had the same question. And honestly, I don't know the answer. You're right, the NPI is not being served. However, if this raises the community awareness of both institutions, then perhaps the impact will be felt beyond the gridiron.  And with the state of D3 academics lately, that can't be a bad thing for CNU...I wouldn't think.

[wally_wabash]

Yeah- these institutions are vital parts of the Hampton Roads region. This event serves a bigger purpose than chasing NPI decimals. 

[CNU85]

The Apprentice School, as many of you know - but maybe not, is part of Newport News Shipyard which is now part of Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII). Current employment is 26,000 (Traffic is crazy at 3:30!!!)  Enrollment in the Apprentice School means you are an employee. They start at $18/hr with complete benefits - medical, dental, 401k, PTO, etc. Pay increases as you progress. It typically takes 4-5 years to obtain an Associates Degree. 8 years for a more advanced field. Some earn as much as $30/hr by the time they graduate. And there is no tuition. And they get paid for time in the classroom.

NN Shipyard is the only place in the US that builds nuclear powered aircraft carriers. They also build submarines and a few other classes.

I know quite a few graduates, work with them. I've coached some in baseball along the way. The "kids" who are on athletic teams there are tough, disciplined. They work on the docks, head to class, study, and then practice with the team. I have much respect for these guys.

[unionpalooza]

F*ck NPI.  Everything that is truly great about D3 is served by games like this.  A million times better than flying out to UW-Somebody to maximize NPI.  Show me a school that is making scheduling decisions that are bad for NPI and I'll show you a school that is living the D3 way.

[wally_wabash]

F*ck NPI.  Everything that is truly great about D3 is served by games like this.  A million times better than flying out to UW-Somebody to maximize NPI.  Show me a school that is making scheduling decisions that are bad for NPI and I'll show you a school that is living the D3 way.

My slightly warmer than tepid but not quite hot take on this is-- scheduling to beat the NPI is mostly a fool's errand.  There's no guarantee the non-con opponent(s) you schedule will be NPI helpers when the dust settles (yes, you can make educated guesses, but sometimes a 5-5 season happens to the best of us).  Goal 1 should always be to schedule 10 games.  If you've cleared that, then schedule games that are net positives for your institution- whether it's something that's important for the community like the Anchor Bowl, a competition opportunity against an institution that you have a larger partnership with, or a game in an area that is an important center for alumni relations or recruitment- do those games.  And then if you have those things down, sure, try to outsmart the NPI.  At the end of the day, you get in by winning your league or winning 9+ games.  After that, it's a crap shoot and your Week 1 scheduling choice probably has very little to do with what side of the bubble you end up on. 

[IC798891]

Agreed completely.

I used to be really anti-autobid, and all about the "best" and "most deserving" teams getting into the playoffs. And maybe I'm just wiser in my old age, maybe working at a college has changed my perspective on how athletics should be emphasized at an institutional level given all the other challenges, but...yeah

Win your league. Try, if you can, to schedule OOC opponents that benefit your entire institution, not just your football program. Trying to engineer something to beat a computer -- when there are a whole bunch of things you can never control for -- is just a fools' errand.

[Ron Boerger]

Nice story in today's pennlive.com on former CNU QB Connor Barry, who transferred to Penn State for his final season of eligibility:  https://www.pennlive.com/pennstatefootball/2026/08/why-penn-state-football-took-a-chance-on-a-division-iii-qb-it-doesnt-matter-the-level.html

If you encounter a paywall, try an incognito browser which was how I was able to read it. 

[RowanPhan]

Source: https://www.d3football.com/awards/all-americans/2026-preseason

Congrats to our NJAC Pre-Season All Americans!

First team offense           
G   Andrew Belford   Christopher Newport   Sr.   Chesapeake, Va.

Second team defense           
DT   Giaini Derameaux   Rowan   Sr.   Burlington, N.J.