Atlantic East Conference

Last updated
Atlantic East Conference
Atlantic East Conference logo.svg
Association NCAA
Founded2018
CommissionerRebecca Mullen (Interim) (since July 2024)
Sports fielded
  • 21
Division Division III
No. of teams8 (6 in 2026)
Headquarters Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Region Mid-Atlantic
Official website atlanticeast.com
Locations
AE-USA-states.png

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]

Contents

History

Atlantic East Conference
Atlantic East Conference
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60km
37miles
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Saint
Elizabeth
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Penn State Schuylkill
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Holy Family
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Eastern
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Pratt
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Manhattanville
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NJCU
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WPU
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Cedar Crest
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Gallaudet
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SMCM
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Neumann
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Marywood
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Marymount
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Immaculata
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Gwynedd Mercy
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Centenary
Location of AEC members:
Blue pog.svg full
Yellow pog.svg affiliate
Red pog.svg departing

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 announced 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]

In 2023, the conference announced that it would add women's flag football as a fully sponsored sport, with the first season planned for spring 2025. [13] The first season took place on the announced schedule, with the initial membership consisting of full members Centenary, Immaculata, Marymount, and Neumann and associate members Eastern University; NCAA Division II member Holy Family University; and Penn State Schuylkill, a member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association instead of the NCAA. In 2025–26, full conference member Marywood added the sport, and another Division II member, Chestnut Hill College, joined as an associate member. The AEC is the first NCAA conference to officially sponsor flag football. [14]

Chronological timeline

  • 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, beginning the 2018–19 academic year.
  • 2019 – William Paterson University joined the Atlantic East as an associate member for men's golf in the 2020 spring season (2019–20 academic year).
  • 2020 – Three institutions joined the Atlantic East as associate members, all effective in the 2020–21 academic year:
  • 2021:
    • Wesley left the Atlantic East after the 2020–21 academic year; as the school announced that it would be acquired by Delaware State University, therefore ceasing operations.
    • Centenary College of New Jersey (now Centenary University) joined the Atlantic East in the 2021–22 academic year.
    • New Jersey City University (NJCU) joined the Atlantic East as an associate member for men's and women's golf in the 2022 spring season (2021–22 academic year).
  • 2023:
    • New Jersey City (NJCU) left the Atlantic East as an associate member for men's and women's golf after the 2023 spring season (2022–23 academic year).
    • The Atlantic East announced that it would add women's flag football as a fully sponsored sport, with a planned start date of the 2025 spring season (2024–25 academic year).
  • 2024:
    • Two institutions left the Atlantic East as associate members, both effective after the 2023–24 academic year:
      • St. Mary's (Maryland) for field hockey
      • and William Paterson for men's golf
    • Cabrini left the Atlantic East after the 2023–24 academic year; as the school announced that it had been sold to nearby Villanova University and had ceased operations.
    • Pratt Institute joined the Atlantic East in the 2024–25 academic year.
    • Also in the 2024–25 academic year, the Atlantic East became the first NCAA conference to sponsor women's flag football as a varsity sport.
  • 2025 – Saint Elizabeth University joined the Atlantic East in the 2025–26 academic year.
  • 2026 – Marywood and Neumann will both leave the Atlantic East to join the Middle Atlantic Conferences, beginning the 2026–27 academic year.

Member schools

Full members

The AEC currently has eight full members, all are private schools:

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoined [a] Colors
Centenary University Hackettstown, New Jersey 1867 United Methodist 1,597 Cyclones 2021   
Gwynedd Mercy University Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania 1948Catholic
(Sisters of Mercy)
2,017 Griffins 2018  
Immaculata University Immaculata, Pennsylvania 1940Catholic
(I.H.M.)
1,043 Mighty Macs 2018   
Marymount University Arlington, Virginia 1950Catholic
(RSHM)
3,684 Saints 2018  
Marywood University Scranton, Pennsylvania 1915Catholic
(I.H.M.)
2,470 Pacers 2018   
Neumann University Aston, Pennsylvania 1965Catholic
(Franciscan)
3,000 Knights 2018   
Pratt Institute Brooklyn, New York 1887Nonsectarian4,907 Cannoneers 2024    
Saint Elizabeth University Morristown, New Jersey 1899Catholic
(Sisters of Charity)
1,200 Eagles 2025   
Notes
  1. Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.

Associate members

The AEC currently has eight associate members, three being public schools, one being a privately governed but state-supported institution, and the rest being private schools.

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoined [a] AEC
sport(s)
Primary
conference
Cedar Crest College Allentown, Pennsylvania 1867 United Church
of Christ
1,885 Falcons 2020Women's swimming United East
Chestnut Hill College Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1924 Catholic
(CSJ)
1,072 Griffins 2025Women's flag football Central Atlantic (CACC) [b]
Eastern University St. Davids, Pennsylvania 1925 Baptist
(ABC USA)
4,429 Eagles 2024Women's flag football MAC Commonwealth
Gallaudet University Washington, D.C. 1864Nonsectarian
(Quasi-governmental)
1,740 Bison 2020Men's swimming United East
Women's swimming
Holy Family University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1954 Catholic
(CSFN)
2,955 Tigers 2024Women's flag football Central Atlantic (CACC) [b]
Manhattanville University Purchase, New York 1841Nonsectarian [c] 2,494 Valiants 2022Field hockey Skyline
Penn State Schuylkill Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania 1934 State-related 594 Nittany Lions 2024Women's flag football Penn State U. (PSUAC) [d]
St. Mary's College of Maryland [e] St. Mary's City, Maryland 1840Public1,950 Seahawks 2020Men's swimming United East
Women's swimming
Notes
  1. Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
  2. 1 2 Currently an NCAA Division II athletic conference.
  3. Formerly affiliated with the Society of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ) within the Catholic Church until the 1970s.
  4. Currently an USCAA athletic conference.
  5. St. Mary's (Md.) competed in the Atlantic East as an associate member for field hockey from the 2020 to 2023 fall seasons (2020–21 to 2023–24 school years).

Former members

The AEC had two former full members, both private schools:

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoined [a] Left [b] Current
conference
Cabrini University Radnor, Pennsylvania 1957 Catholic
(Missionary Sisters)
1,759 Cavaliers 20182024N/A [c]
Wesley College Dover, Delaware 1873 United Methodist 2,400 Wolverines 20182021N/A [d]
Notes
  1. Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
  2. Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition ends.
  3. Cabrini was acquired by Villanova University in 2024.
  4. Wesley was acquired by Delaware State University in 2021.

Former associate members

The AEC had three former associate members, all were private schools.

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoined [a] Left [b] AEC
sport(s)
Primary
conference
New Jersey City University Jersey City, New Jersey 1929Public7,300 Gothic Knights 20212023Men's golf New Jersey (NJAC)
Women's golf
St. Mary's College of Maryland [c] St. Mary's City, Maryland 1840Public1,950 Seahawks 20202024Field hockey United East
William Paterson University Wayne, New Jersey 1855Public10,970 Pioneers 20192024Men's golf New Jersey (NJAC)
Notes
  1. Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
  2. Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition ends.
  3. St. Mary's (Md.) remains in the Atlantic East as an associate member for men's and women's swimming.

Membership timeline

Chestnut Hill CollegeSaint Elizabeth UniversityPenn State SchuylkillHoly Family UniversityEastern University (United States)Pratt InstituteManhattanville UniversityNew Jersey City UniversityCentenary UniversitySt. Mary's College of MarylandGalluadet UniversityCedar Crest CollegeWilliam Paterson UniversityWesley College (Delaware)MAC Commonwealth ConferenceNeumann UniversityMAC Freedom ConferenceMarywood UniversityMarymount UniversityImmaculata UniversityGwynedd Mercy UniversityCabrini UniversityAtlantic East Conference

 Full member (all sports)  Full member (non-football)  Associate member (football)  Associate member (sport) 

Sports

The Atlantic East sponsored 20 sports at its launch—nine for men and 11 for women. The conference has since added flag football as a 12th women's sport.

Conference sports
SportMen'sWomen's
Baseball Green check.svg
Basketball Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Cross country Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Field hockey Green check.svg
Flag football Green check.svg
Golf Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Lacrosse Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Soccer Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Softball Green check.svg
Swimming & diving Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Tennis Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Track & field (outdoor) Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Volleyball Green check.svg

Men's sponsored sports by school

SchoolBaseballBasketballCross
country
GolfLacrosseSoccerSwimming
& diving
TennisTrack
& field
(outdoor)
Total
AEC
sports
CentenaryGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgRed x.svg6
Gwynedd MercyGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg7
ImmaculataGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg8
MarymountGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg9
MarywoodGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg9
NeumannGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg8
PrattRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg5
Totals6774+2673+26651+4
GallaudetGreen check.svg1
NJCUGreen check.svg1
St. Mary'sGreen check.svg1
William PatersonGreen check.svg1

    Men's varsity sports not sponsored by the Atlantic East Conference that are played by Atlantic East schools

    SchoolEquestrianIce
    hockey
    RugbyTrack
    & field
    (indoor)
    VolleyballWrestling
    Centenary IHSA [A] Red x.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgRed x.svg IND
    Gwynedd MercyRed x.svgRed x.svgRed x.svg ECAC Red x.svgRed x.svg
    ImmaculataRed x.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgRed x.svg CVC Red x.svg
    MarymountRed x.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgRed x.svg CVC Red x.svg
    MarywoodRed x.svgRed x.svgMARC ECAC Red x.svgRed x.svg
    NeumannRed x.svg MAC Red x.svg ECAC CVC Red x.svg
    Pratt IHSA [a] Red x.svgRed x.svg ECAC UEC Red x.svg
    1. Centenary's equestrian program is not sponsored by the NCAA but through the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association.

    Women's sponsored sports by school

    SchoolBasketballCross
    country
    Field
    hockey
    Flag
    football [b]
    GolfLacrosseSoccerSoftballSwimming
    & diving
    TennisTrack
    & field
    (outdoor)
    VolleyballTotal
    AEC
    sports
    CentenaryGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svg7
    Gwynedd MercyGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg9
    ImmaculataGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg11
    MarymountGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg [c] Green check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg11
    MarywoodGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svg [d] Green check.svg [e] Green check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg11
    NeumannGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svg [f] Green check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg11
    PrattGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg6
    Totals774+24+33+16763+366766+9
    Cedar CrestGreen check.svg1
    EasternGreen check.svg1
    GallaudetGreen check.svg1
    Holy FamilyGreen check.svg1
    ManhattanvilleGreen check.svg1
    NJCUGreen check.svg1
    Penn State SchuylkillGreen check.svg1
    St. Mary'sGreen check.svgGreen check.svg2
    Notes
    1. Pratt's equestrian program is governed by the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association.
    2. The NCAA has recommended flag football for addition to its Emerging Sports for Women program. All three divisions are set to vote on this proposal no later than the January 2026 NCAA convention.
    3. Marymount University is also an affiliate member of the Centennial Conference in women's golf.
    4. Marywood will add flag football in the spring 2026 season.
    5. Marywood University is also an affiliate member of the Landmark Conference in women's golf.
    6. 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

    SchoolEquestrian [a] RowingRugby [b] Track
    & field
    (indoor)
    Centenary IHSA [c] Red x.svgRed x.svgRed x.svg
    Gwynedd MercyRed x.svgRed x.svgRed x.svg ECAC
    MarywoodRed x.svgRed x.svgMARC ECAC
    NeumannRed x.svgRed x.svgRed x.svg ECAC
    Pratt IHSA [d] Red x.svgRed x.svg ECAC
    1. 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.
    2. Women's rugby in all NCAA divisions is part of the Emerging Sports for Women program.
    3. Centenary's equestrian program is governed by the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association.
    4. Pratt's equestrian program is governed by the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association.

    References

    1. "Atlantic East has name, formal announcement". D3sports.com. March 1, 2018. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
    2. "A new conference shuffle coming". D3sports.com. June 6, 2017. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
    3. "Huntley Named Atlantic East Conference Founding Commissioner". D3sports.com. May 31, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
    4. "St. Mary's College (Md.) to Join Atlantic East as Field Hockey Affiliate". Marywood Pacers. September 16, 2019. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
    5. "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.
    6. "ATLANTIC EAST WELCOMES WILLIAM PATERSON AS MEN'S GOLF AFFILIATE, EFFECTIVE SPRING 2020". Atlantic East Conference. November 19, 2019. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
    7. "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.
    8. "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.
    9. "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.
    10. "University announces an agreement to acquire Wesley College". Delaware State University. July 9, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
    11. "Centenary Athletics Moving to the Atlantic East Conference". Centenary Cyclones. June 18, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
    12. "NJCU Joins Atlantic East Conference as Associate Members in Men's & Women's Golf". NJCU Knights. June 29, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
    13. "Atlantic East Conference Announces Partnership with NFL/RCX Sports to Sponsor Female Flag Football" (Press release). Atlantic East Conference. June 5, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
    14. "Atlantic East Conference Makes History with Launch of First-Ever NCAA Women's Flag Football Season" (Press release). Atlantic East Conference. February 26, 2025. Retrieved March 3, 2025.