The Atlantic East Conference is an intercollegiate athletic conference that competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III and is located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States.[1]
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| Association | NCAA |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2018 |
| Commissioner | Jessica Huntley (since July 2018) |
| Sports fielded |
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| Division | Division III |
| No. of teams | 7 |
| Headquarters | Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Region | Mid-Atlantic |
| Official website | atlanticeast.com |
| Locations | |
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History
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Beginning play in July 2018, the league consists of seven private universities, each former members of either the Capital Athletic Conference, since renamed the Coast to Coast Athletic Conference (C2C), or the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC).[2] The charter members consisted of Cabrini University, Gwynedd Mercy University, Immaculata University, Marymount University, Marywood University, Neumann University and Wesley College.
On May 31, 2018, Jessica Huntley was named the inaugural commissioner of the Atlantic East.[3]
On September 16, 2019, the AEC announced its first affiliate member, St. Mary's College of Maryland, who would participate in field hockey starting in the 2020–21 season.[4] This will ultimately be St. Mary's only season in AEC field hockey, as that school will join the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC), which sponsors that sport, for 2021–22 and beyond.[5] The United East Conference (formerly NEAC), reversed their decision to add field hockey, thus St. Mary's remained as an affiliate in the sport.
On November 19, 2019, it was announced that William Paterson University will become an affiliate member in men's golf starting in the 2019–20 season.[6]
On January 12, 2020, it was announce that Cedar Crest College would join the AEC as an affiliate member in women's swimming & diving.[7]
On August 17, 2020 and August 19, 2020, it was announced that Gallaudet University and St. Mary's College of Maryland, respectively, would also become an affiliate member in men's and women's swimming and diving.[8][9]
On July 9, 2020, Delaware State University announced that it would acquire Wesley College starting in the 2021–22 school year, due to the financial struggles Wesley faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[10]
On June 18, 2021, Centenary University announced its move to Atlantic East from the CSAC also in 2021–22.[11] Centenary is the conference's first non-Catholic member institution.
On June 29, 2021, New Jersey City University announced that it would be joining the Atlantic East as an affiliate member in men's and women's golf starting in the 2021–22 season.[12]
Chronological timeline
edit- 2018 - The Atlantic East Conference was founded. Charter members included Cabrini University, Gwynedd Mercy University, Immaculata University, Marymount University, Marywood University, Neumann University and Wesley College, effective beginning the 2018-19 academic year.
- 2019 - William Paterson University joined the Atlantic East as an associate member for men's golf, effective in the 2020 spring season (2019-20 academic year).
- 2020 - Three institutions joined the Atlantic East as associate members: Gallaudet University for men's and women's swimming & diving, St. Mary's College of Maryland for field hockey and men's and women's swimming & diving, and Cedar Crest College for women's swimming and diving, all effective in the 2020-21 academic year.
- 2021 - Wesley (Del.) left the Atlantic East as the school announced that it would be acquired by Delaware State University, therefore closing the school, effective after the 2020-21 academic year.
- 2021 - Centenary College of New Jersey joined the Atlantic East, effective in the 2021-22 academic year.
- 2021 - New Jersey City University joined the Atlantic East as an associate member for men's and women's golf, effective in the 2022 spring season (2021-22 academic year).
- 2023 - Cabrini University announced it is being sold to nearby Villanova University and will cease operations after the 2023-24 academic year.
- 2023 - Pratt Institute accepted an invitation to join the Atlantic East effective during the 2024-25 academic year.
Member schools
editFull members
editThe AEC currently has seven full members, all are private schools:
| Institution | Location | Founded | Affiliation | Enrollment | Nickname | Joined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centenary University | Hackettstown, New Jersey | 1867 | United Methodist | 1,597 | Cyclones | 2021 |
| Gwynedd Mercy University | Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania | 1948 | Catholic (Sisters of Mercy) |
2,017 | Griffins | 2018 |
| Immaculata University | Immaculata, Pennsylvania | 1940 | Catholic (Sisters, Servants of the I.H.M.) |
1,043 | Mighty Macs | 2018 |
| Marymount University | Arlington, Virginia | 1950 | Catholic (RSHM) |
3,684 | Saints | 2018 |
| Marywood University | Scranton, Pennsylvania | 1915 | Catholic (Sisters, Servants of the I.H.M.) |
2,470 | Pacers | 2018 |
| Neumann University | Aston, Pennsylvania | 1965 | Catholic (Franciscan) |
3,000 | Knights | 2018 |
| Pratt Institute | Brooklyn, New York | 1887 | Nonsectarian | 4,907 | Cannoneers | 2024 |
Associate members
editThe AEC currently has seven associate members; three of them are public schools:
| Institution | Location | Founded | Affiliation | Enrollment | Nickname | Joined | Primary conference |
AEC sport(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Crest College | Allentown, Pennsylvania | 1867 | United Church of Christ | 1,885 | Falcons | 2020 | UEC | women's swimming |
| Gallaudet University | Washington, D.C. | 1864 | Private (Non-sectarian/Quasi-governmental) |
1,740 | Bison | 2020m.sw.; 2020w.sw. |
UEC | men's swimming; women's swimming |
| Manhattanville University | Purchase, New York | 1841 | Catholic (RSCJ) |
2,494 | Valiants | 2022 | Skyline | field hockey |
| New Jersey City University | Jersey City, New Jersey | 1929 | Public | 7,300 | Gothic Knights | 2021m.gf.; 2021w.gf. |
NJAC | men's golf; women's golf |
| St. Mary's College of Maryland | St. Mary's City, Maryland | 1840 | Public | 1,950 | Seahawks | 2020m.sw.; 2020w.sw.; 2020f.h |
UEC | men's swimming; women's swimming field hockey |
| William Paterson University | Wayne, New Jersey | 1855 | Public | 10,970 | Pioneers | 2019 | NJAC | men's golf |
| Eastern University | St. Davids, Pennsylvania | 1925 | Baptist (ABC USA) |
4,429 | Eagles | 2024 | MAC Commonwealth | women's flag football |
Former members
editThe Atlantic East had one former full member, which was also a private school:
| Institution | Location | Founded | Affiliation | Enrollment | Nickname | Joined | Left | Current conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wesley College | Dover, Delaware | 1873 | United Methodist | 2,400 | Wolverines | 2018 | 2021 | N/A[a] |
| Cabrini University | Radnor, Pennsylvania | 1957 | Catholic (Missionary Sisters) |
1,759 | Cavaliers | 2018 | 2024 | N/A[b] |
- Notes
- ^ Wesley was acquired by Delaware State University in 2021.
- ^ Cabrini was acquired by Villanova University in 2024.
Membership timeline
edit
Sports
editThe Atlantic East sponsored 20 sports at its launch—nine for men and 11 for women.
| Sport | Men's | Women's |
|---|---|---|
| Baseball |  |
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| Basketball | |
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| Cross country | |
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| Field hockey |
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| Golf | |
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| Lacrosse | |
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| Soccer | |
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| Softball |
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| Swimming & diving | |
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| Tennis | |
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| Track & field (outdoor) | |
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| Volleyball |
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Men's sponsored sports by school
edit| School | Baseball | Basketball | Cross country |
Golf | Lacrosse | Soccer | Swimming & diving |
Tennis | Track & field (outdoor) |
Total AEC sports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centenary |
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6 |
| Gwynedd Mercy |
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7 |
| Immaculata |
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8 |
| Marymount |
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9 |
| Marywood |
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9 |
| Neumann |
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8 |
| Pratt |
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5 |
| Totals | 6 | 7 | 7 | 4+2 | 6 | 7 | 3+2 | 6 | 6 | 51+4 |
| Gallaudet |
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1 | ||||||||
| NJCU |
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1 | ||||||||
| St. Mary's |
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1 | ||||||||
| William Paterson |
|
1 |
Men's varsity sports not sponsored by the Atlantic East Conference that are played by Atlantic East schools
edit| School | Equestiran | Ice hockey |
Rugby | Track & field (indoor) |
Volleyball | Wrestling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centenary | IHSA[A] |
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Independent |
| Gwynedd Mercy |
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ECAC |
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| Immaculata |
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CVC |
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| Marymount |
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CVC |
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| Marywood |
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MARC | ECAC |
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| Neumann |
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UCHC |
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ECAC | CVC |
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| Pratt | IHSA[a] |
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ECAC | UEC |
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- ^ Centenary's equestrian program is not sponsored by the NCAA but through the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association.
Women's sponsored sports by school
edit| School | Basketball | Cross country |
Field hockey |
Golf | Lacrosse | Soccer | Softball | Swimming & diving |
Tennis | Track & field (outdoor) |
Volleyball | Total AEC sports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centenary |
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6 |
| Gwynedd Mercy |
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9 |
| Immaculata |
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10 |
| Marymount |
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[b]
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10 |
| Marywood |
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[c]
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11 |
| Neumann |
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[d]
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10 |
| Pratt |
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6 |
| Totals | 7 | 7 | 4+2 | 3+1 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 3+3 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 62+6 |
| Cedar Crest |
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1 | ||||||||||
| Gallaudet |
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1 | ||||||||||
| Manhattanville |
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1 | ||||||||||
| NJCU |
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1 | ||||||||||
| St. Mary's |
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2 |
- Notes
- ^ Pratt's equestrian program is governed by the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association.
- ^ Marymount University is also an affiliate member of the Centennial Conference in women's golf.
- ^ Marywood University is also an affiliate member of the Landmark Conference in women's golf.
- ^ Neumann University announced the addition of women's swimming for the 2015-16 season but has yet to have its inaugural season.
Women's varsity sports not sponsored by the Atlantic East Conference that are played by Atlantic East schools
edit| School | Equestrian[a] | Rowing | Rugby[b] | Track & field (indoor) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centenary | IHSA[c] |
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| Gwynedd Mercy |
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ECAC |
| Marywood |
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MARC | ECAC |
| Neumann |
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ECAC |
| Pratt | IHSA[d] |
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ECAC |
- ^ Although equestrianism in NCAA Divisions I and II is included in the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program, D-III equestrian is still outside that program.
- ^ Women's rugby in all NCAA divisions is part of the Emerging Sports for Women program.
- ^ Centenary's equestrian program is governed by the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association.
- ^ Pratt's equestrian program is governed by the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association.
References
edit- ^ "Atlantic East has name, formal announcement". D3sports.com. March 1, 2018. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
- ^ "A new conference shuffle coming". D3sports.com. June 6, 2017. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
- ^ "Huntley Named Atlantic East Conference Founding Commissioner". D3sports.com. May 31, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
- ^ "St. Mary's College (Md.) to Join Atlantic East as Field Hockey Affiliate". Marywood Pacers. September 16, 2019. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
- ^ "St. Mary's College of Maryland to Join North Eastern Athletic Conference in 2021" (Press release). North Eastern Athletic Conference. December 12, 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
- ^ "ATLANTIC EAST WELCOMES WILLIAM PATERSON AS MEN'S GOLF AFFILIATE, EFFECTIVE SPRING 2020". Atlantic East Conference. November 19, 2019. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
- ^ "ATLANTIC EAST WELCOMES CEDAR CREST AS WOMEN'S SWIM AND DIVE AFFILIATE, EFFECTIVE FALL 2020". Atlantic East Conference. January 12, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
- ^ "GALLAUDET TO JOIN ATLANTIC EAST AS ASSOCIATE MEMBER IN MEN'S AND WOMEN'S SWIMMING AND DIVING, EFFECTIVE FALL 2020". Atlantic East Conference. August 17, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
- ^ "Atlantic East Welcomes St. Mary's College of Maryland as Men's and Women's Swimming Affiliate, Effective Fall 2020". Atlantic East Conference. August 19, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
- ^ "University announces an agreement to acquire Wesley College". Delaware State University. July 9, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
- ^ "Centenary Athletics Moving to the Atlantic East Conference". Centenary Cyclones. June 18, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
- ^ "NJCU Joins Atlantic East Conference as Associate Members in Men's & Women's Golf". NJCU Knights. June 29, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
