Conference Shuffle

[Kuiper]

NEWMAC Welcomes Saint Anselm College as Newest Member

Yep.  Reclassifying from D2 starting in 27-28

https://newmacsports.com/news/2026/4/21/newmac-welcomes-saint-anselm-college-as-newest-member.aspx

The New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) is thrilled to welcome Saint Anselm College as the conference's 13th core member following support from the NEWMAC Presidents Council.

Saint Anselm College is anticipated to begin the NCAA reclassification process effective with the 2027-28 academic year. Following completion of the NCAA reclassification process, the Hawks are expected to become full-fledged Division III members in 2029-30 and, at that time, would be eligible for NCAA postseason competition pending NCAA approval.

"Through the cooperation of the NEWMAC leadership team, athletic directors, and institution Presidents, the conference has developed a strategic plan that includes targeted expansion. Saint Anselm's academic stature, community profile, and storied history make them a wonderful new member of the NEWMAC family," expresses Babson College President and Chair of NEWMAC Presidents Council, Stephen Spinelli.

The addition of Saint Anselm College continues to strengthen the conference and exemplifies the NEWMAC's commitment to being a preeminent conference in Division III. Saint Anselm's mission is to form ethical, well-rounded citizens grounded in faith, community, and intellectual growth. These principles align with the NEWMAC's Division III values, providing student-athletes the opportunity to excel in the classroom, in competition, and within their communities while embodying what it means to be Champions of Academic and Athletic Excellence.

"We are excited about the opportunity to join the NEWMAC," states Saint Anselm College President Joseph Favazza. "This strategic decision is in the best interest of the Saint Anselm student experience and the long-term future of the College. The NCAA landscape is changing rapidly. After careful consideration, we have chosen a proactive path, one that aligns with our mission and allows Saint Anselm to maintain control of its athletic future. We look forward to competing within the NEWMAC with a cohort of nationally respected institutions known for academic distinction and institutional stability."

Saint Anselm Athletics serves as an extension of the College's mission, where student-athletes compete with integrity, prioritize academics, and foster respect for others. These tenets complement the NEWMAC's core values of Excellence, Integrity, and Respect, further defining Saint Anselm's natural fit within the conference.

"Welcoming Saint Anselm College to the NEWMAC is an exciting milestone for our conference," expresses NEWMAC Executive Director Patrick B. Summers. "I am grateful to Presidents Council Chair Stephen Spinelli and Membership Committee Chair President David Fithian for their vision and guidance in bringing this process to fruition. Throughout our discussions, Saint Anselm demonstrated a deep and authentic commitment to transitioning to Division III and to the NEWMAC — and that was evident every step of the way. We couldn't be more excited about the future."

With the addition of the Hawks, the NEWMAC is excited to expand its New England footprint, adding New Hampshire to its current member states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Saint Anselm is expected to compete in 16 of the NEWMAC's 21 sports, increasing sport sponsorship and championship field sizes while further enhancing the conference's already competitive profile and overall student-athlete experience.

[Ron Boerger]

Of course, the NCAA *does* have to approve this move, but with the NEWMAC on-board this time it should be a no-brainer.

[Gregory Sager]

One Catholic-based New England school in, one Catholic-based New England school out. Anna Maria is closing its doors for good at semester's end.

[Kuiper]

Vermont-Castleton joining the MASCAC in 2027-2028 as a Core Member

The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Council of Presidents and Commissioner Angela Baumann are excited to announce that Vermont State University Castleton will be joining the MASCAC as a core member effective in the 2027-28 academic year. The Spartans will compete in all 20 championship sports the MASCAC offers.

Castleton joins the eight Massachusetts state universities of Bridgewater State University, Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, MCLA, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Salem State University, Westfield State University and Worcester State University as the competing core member institutions in the MASCAC. The MASCAC currently sponsors 20 championships.

"We are pleased to welcome Vermont State University Castleton as a core member to the MASCAC," Commissioner Baumann said. "As a like-public institution with strong geographic alignment and a sports sponsorship profile that perfectly matches our conference offerings, Castleton is a natural fit for the conference and strengthens our shared commitment to regional Division III athletics. Their tradition of competitive excellence, student-athlete success, and institutional values aligns well with the mission of the MASCAC, and we are excited about the opportunities this addition creates for our student-athletes, campuses, and communities across the region."

The Spartans athletics department offers 26 intercollegiate sports, including alpine skiing, baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, field hockey, football, men's golf, men's and women's ice hockey, men's and women's lacrosse, women's rugby, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's track and field, women's volleyball and men's wrestling.

"We're excited to join the MASCAC and for what this opportunity means for our student‑athletes on the VTSU Castleton Campus," said Vermont State University President Dave Bergh. "This conference move will centralize competition, enhance the student‑athlete experience, and support student success both on the field and in the classroom. We look forward to the additional opportunities this affiliation will create for our Castleton-based students, community, and athletics program in the years ahead."

Vermont State University, Vermont's statewide public university, provides transformative, future‑ready education that empowers learners to forge their own path – professionally, personally, and within their communities. Rooted in Vermont values, Vermont State delivers hands‑on, career‑connected learning through in‑person, fully online, and blended programs built for real lives and real goals.

Vermont State University Castleton fosters a close‑knit community of approximately 1,600 graduate and undergraduate students in Southern Vermont. With 26 varsity athletic programs, Castleton's student‑athletes embody Vermont State's spirit and commitment to integrity, leadership, academic achievement, and community service.

[Kuiper]

United East Conference Announces Addition of Four Remaining Core Members of the Atlantic East

The two conferences had announced a strategic partnership in the Spring and insisted it wasn't a merger, but now it is basically a merger as of 2027-2028.  With Neumann and Marywood moving to the MAC, and St. Elizabeth and Pratt moving to the CUNYAC successor, the four now moving to the UEC - Centenary, Gwynedd Mercy, Immaculata, and Marymout - were the last schools standing in the Atlantic East.

As a culmination of a months-long assessment and collaboration with the Atlantic East, the United East Conference is announcing the addition of Centenary University, Gwynedd Mercy University, Immaculata University, and Marymount University as full members, effective July 1, 2027. The addition of the four institutions will bring the conference's total core members to 17.

In recent months, presidents and commissioners from the Atlantic East and United East have been engaged in strategic discussions to evaluate the potential of maintaining two separate conferences in a way that would benefit the student-athlete experience for all conference members.  While leadership from both conferences continue to believe that greater consideration for fair AQ access is needed for larger conferences, it became evident in the collaboration that having all athletic programs competing under one conference provided the most stable environment for member institutions and its student-athletes.

"First and foremost, I want to thank the presidents and chancellors from the Atlantic East and the United East for their work and commitment over the last nine months," said United East Commissioner, Stephanie Dutton. "While the outcome of our work differs from our initial goal, it was clear in every discussion that our campus leaders are most committed to ensuring their student-athletes have a positive conference experience in a stable and competitive environment. We look forward to welcoming these four institutions to the United East in 2027 and see this addition as another opportunity for our conference to continue evolving and innovating in ways that best support Division III student-athletes during a volatile time in higher education."

In the interim, the two conferences will remain committed to a strategic partnership in select sports for the 2026-27 academic year. Partnered sports for the upcoming year include Field Hockey, Men's and Women's Swimming & Diving, Men's & Women's Indoor Track & Field, Men's Volleyball, and Women's Lacrosse. Men's Lacrosse will join the list of partnered sports for Spring 2027 with the top team from each conference competing in a crossover championship for the Atlantic East automatic qualifier.

"On behalf of the United East Presidents' Council, we are pleased to welcome Centenary University, Gwynedd Mercy University, Immaculata University, and Marymount University to our conference," shared United East Presidents' Council Chair Dr. Wesley Fugate. "This decision reflects our shared commitment to placing student-athletes first and building a strong, stable future for our institutions and athletic programs. We are grateful for the thoughtful collaboration that brought us to this point and excited about the opportunities ahead to strengthen relationships, enhance competition, and provide an exceptional Division III experience across the United East."

"We are thrilled to be joining the schools in the United East Conference," said Deanne D. D'Emilio, President of Gwynedd Mercy University. "The larger conference will provide stability, a high level of competition, and overall enhanced experiences for our student-athletes. I am grateful to the leadership of the United East and Commissioner Dutton for their gracious welcome to GMercyU, Centenary University, Immaculata University, and Marymount University. We look forward to the many opportunities this new conference will offer."

Upon its return to 17 full members, the United East is projected to be one of the largest conferences in Division III. Sport sponsorship in the conference is also expected to increase to 23 sports with the United East adding Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving in 2027-28.

United East leadership will finalize the conference schedule structure and postseason format in the coming months to address institutional priorities and create operational efficiencies, with the conference exploring a return to a divisional structure. Any anticipated changes will be announced prior to the 2027-28 academic year.