Colonial States Athletic Conference

Last updated
Colonial States Athletic Conference
Colonial States Athletic Conference logo.svg
FormerlyPennsylvania Athletic Conference
Association NCAA
Founded1992
Ceased2023
CommissionerMarie Stroman (final)
Sports fielded
  • 16
    • men's: 7
    • women's: 9
Division Division III
No. of teams10 (final)
Headquarters Villanova, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Region Mid-Atlantic
Locations
PAC-USA-states.png

The Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) was a NCAA Division III collegiate athletic conference in the Mid-Atlantic United States that existed from 1992 to 2023. There were nine full member institutions when the conference. The conference's membership, as with most Middle Atlantic conferences, was shaken as a result of the formation of the Landmark Conference and its ensuing domino effect. The conference, founded in 1992 as the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference, changed its name in 2008. [1]

Contents

The CSAC experienced another shakeup in 2018 when five members departed the conference to join with two other institutions to form a new Division III conference [2] [3] that eventually became the Atlantic East Conference. [4] In July 2018, the CSAC added two new members. [5] The conference added its 10th member on July 1, 2019, [6] and its 11th on the same day in 2020, [7] but was reduced to 10 members when on June 18, 2021, Centenary University published its move to Atlantic East, starting July 1 that year, but its lacrosse teams would start competing in their new conference's 2022 season. [8]

On December 19, 2022, the United East Conference and the Colonial States Athletic Conference announced their intent to merge beginning with the 2023-24 academic year. The conference officially ceased to exist when its ten remaining members were absorbed by the United East Conference on July 1, 2023.

History

Colonial States Athletic Conference
Colonial States Athletic Conference
Location of CSAC members: Blue pog.svg full

Chronological timeline

Member schools

Final members

The CSAC had ten final full members, all were private schools:

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoinedLeftCurrent
conference
Bryn Athyn College Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania 1877 New Church 303 Lions 20182023 United East (UEC)
Cairn University Langhorne, Pennsylvania 1913 Nondenominational 2,200 Highlanders 2008 [12]
Cedar Crest College [lower-alpha 1] Allentown, Pennsylvania 1867 United Church of Christ 1,820 Falcons 1992
Clarks Summit University Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania 1932 Baptist 1,142 Defenders 2008
Keystone College La Plume, Pennsylvania 1868Nonsectarian1,600 Giants 2008 [12]
Notre Dame of Maryland University [lower-alpha 2] Baltimore, Maryland 1873 Catholic
(SSND)
3,824 Gators 2007 [13]
Rosemont College [lower-alpha 2] Rosemont, Pennsylvania 1922Catholic
(SHCJ)
903 Ravens 1992
Saint Elizabeth University [lower-alpha 3] [lower-alpha 2] Morristown, New Jersey 1899Catholic
(Sisters of Charity)
1,200 Eagles 2019
University of Valley Forge Phoenixville, Pennsylvania 1939 Assemblies of God 742 Patriots 2020
Wilson College [lower-alpha 2] Chambersburg, Pennsylvania 1869 Presbyterian 1,098 Phoenix 2018
Notes
  1. This institution is a women's college, therefore it does not compete in men's sports.
  2. 1 2 3 4 This institution is a former women's college, which eventually turned into a co-educational college (Rosemont since 2009–10, Wilson since 2013–14, Saint Elizabeth since 2016–17, and Notre Dame of Maryland starting in 2023–24).
  3. Formerly known as the College of Saint Elizabeth until 2020.

Final affiliate members

The CSAC had nine affiliate members when it dissolved: [14]

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoinedPrimary
conference
CSAC
sport(s)
Alfred State College Alfred, New York 1908 Public 3,737 Pioneers 2018–19 Allegheny Mountain (AMCC) men's outdoor track and field
women's outdoor track and field
Eastern Nazarene College Quincy, Massachusetts 1900 Nazarene 772 Lions 2022–23 North Atlantic (NAC) men's lacrosse
Gallaudet University Washington, D.C. 1864Quasigovernmental1,138 Bison 2020–21 United East (UEC) men's outdoor track and field
women's outdoor track and field
Lancaster Bible College Lancaster, Pennsylvania 1933 Nondenominational 1,499 Chargers 2019–20 United East (UEC) field hockey
2022–23men's volleyball
Mitchell College New London, Connecticut 1938Nonsectarian572 Mariners 2022–23 Great Northeast (GNAC) men's lacrosse
New England College Henniker, New Hampshire 1946Nonsectarian4,327 Pilgrims 2022–23 Great Northeast (GNAC) men's lacrosse
Penn State–Behrend Erie, Pennsylvania 1948 State-related 4,700 Lions 2015–16 Allegheny Mountain (AMCC) men's outdoor track and field
women's outdoor track and field
Pratt Institute Brooklyn, New York 1887Private5,137 Cannoneers 2021–22 Coast to Coast (C2C) men's volleyball
Sweet Briar College Sweet Briar, Virginia 1901Private353 Vixens 2021–22 Old Dominion (ODAC) field hockey
women's lacrosse
Notes

    Former members

    The CSAC had 12 former full members, all were private schools:

    InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoinedLeftCurrent
    conference
    Alvernia University Reading, Pennsylvania 1958 Catholic
    (Franciscan)
    2,900 Crusaders 1992–932007–08 MAC Commonwealth
    Arcadia University Glenside, Pennsylvania 1853 Presbyterian 4,021 Knights 1992–932006–07 MAC Freedom
    Cabrini University Radnor, Pennsylvania 1957Catholic
    (Missionary Sisters)
    1,759 Cavaliers 1992–932017–18 Atlantic East (AEC)
    Centenary University [lower-alpha 1] Hackettstown, New Jersey 1867 United Methodist 1,597 Cyclones 2007–08 [13] 2020–21 Atlantic East (AEC)
    DeSales University Center Valley, Pennsylvania 1965Catholic
    (O.S.F.S.)
    2,499 Bulldogs 1993–941996–97 MAC Freedom
    Eastern University St. Davids, Pennsylvania 1925 Baptist 5,235 Eagles 1992–932007–08 MAC Commonwealth
    Gwynedd Mercy University Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania 1948Catholic
    (Sisters of Mercy)
    2,017 Griffins 1992–932017–18 Atlantic East (AEC)
    Immaculata University [lower-alpha 2] Immaculata, Pennsylvania 1940Catholic
    (Sisters, Servants of the I.H.M.)
    1,043 Mighty Macs 1992–932017–18 Atlantic East (AEC)
    Marywood University Scranton, Pennsylvania 1915Catholic
    (RSHM)
    2,470 Pacers 1992–932017–18 Atlantic East (AEC)
    Misericordia University Dallas, Pennsylvania 1924Catholic
    (Sisters of Mercy)
    2,355 Cougars 1992–932007–08 MAC Freedom
    Neumann University Aston, Pennsylvania 1965Catholic
    (Franciscan)
    3,000 Knights 1992–932017–18 Atlantic East (AEC)
    Wesley College Dover, Delaware 1873United Methodist2,320 Wolverines 1997–982006–07N/A [lower-alpha 3]
    Notes
    1. Centenary (N.J.) remained in the CSAC as an associate member for field hockey and women's lacrosse.
    2. This institution is a former women's college, which eventually turned into a co-educational college (Immaculata since 2005–06).
    3. Wesley was acquired by Delaware State University in 2021.

    Former affiliate members

    The CSAC had seven former affiliate members, four were private and three were public schools:

    InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoinedLeftCSAC
    sport(s)
    Current
    primary
    conference
    Current
    conference
    in former
    CSAC
    sport(s)
    Centenary University [lower-alpha 1] Hackettstown, New Jersey 1867 United Methodist 1,708 Cyclones 2021–222021–22field hockey
    women's lacrosse
    Atlantic East
    women's lacrosse Atlantic East None [lower-alpha 2]
    Franciscan University of Steubenville Steubenville, Ohio 1946 Catholic
    (Franciscan Friars)
    2,100 Barons 2015–162018–19men's outdoor track and field
    women's outdoor track and field
    Presidents' (PAC)
    Kean University Union, New Jersey 1855Public13,000 Cougars 2018–192021–22men's lacrosse New Jersey (NJAC) Coastal Lacrosse (CLC)
    Montclair State University Montclair, New Jersey 1908Public16,852 Red Hawks 2018–192021–22men's lacrosse New Jersey (NJAC) Coastal Lacrosse (CLC)
    Shenandoah University Winchester, Virginia 1875 United Methodist 1,767 Hornets 2001–022011–12men's lacrosse Old Dominion (ODAC)
    Villa Julie College [lower-alpha 3] Owings Mills, Maryland 1947Nonsectarian2,708 Mustangs 2001–022005–06men's lacrosse MAC Commonwealth
    Stockton University Galloway, New Jersey 1969Public8,242 Ospreys 2018–192021–22men's lacrosse New Jersey (NJAC) Coastal Lacrosse (CLC)
    Notes
    1. Centenary (N.J.) was previously a full CSAC member from 2007–08 to 2020–21.
    2. Centenary (N.J.) dropped field hockey after the 2021–22 season.
    3. Currently known as Stevenson University since 2008.

    Membership timeline

    Pratt InstituteNew England CollegeMitchell CollegeEastern Nazarene CollegeSweet Briar CollegeGallaudet UniversityUnited East ConferenceSaint Elizabeth UniversityLancaster Bible CollegeUnited East ConferenceUniversity of Valley ForgeStockton UniversityMontclair State UniversityKean UniversityAlfred State CollegeUnited East ConferenceWilson College (Pennsylvania)United East ConferenceBryn Athyn CollegePenn State Erie, The Behrend CollegeFranciscan University of SteubenvilleUnited East ConferenceKeystone CollegeUnited East ConferenceClarks Summit UniversityUnited East ConferenceCairn UniversityUnited East ConferenceNotre Dame of Maryland UniversityAtlantic East ConferenceCentenary UniversityStevenson UniversityShenandoah UniversityAtlantic East ConferenceCoast to Coast Athletic ConferenceWesley College (Delaware)MAC Freedom ConferenceMiddle Atlantic ConferencesDeSales UniversityUnited East ConferenceRosemont CollegeAtlantic East ConferenceNeumann UniversityMAC Freedom ConferenceMisericordia UniversityAtlantic East ConferenceMarywood UniversityAtlantic East ConferenceImmaculata UniversityAtlantic East ConferenceGwynedd Mercy UniversityMAC Commonwealth ConferenceMAC Freedom ConferenceEastern University (United States)United East ConferenceCedar Crest CollegeAtlantic East ConferenceCabrini UniversityMAC Freedom ConferenceMAC Commonwealth ConferenceMAC Freedom ConferenceArcadia UniversityMAC Commonwealth ConferenceAlvernia UniversityColonial States Athletic Conference

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    References

    1. "Pennsylvania Athletic Conference announces new name; Rebranding effort". Colonial States Athletic Conference. Archived from the original on September 27, 2017. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
    2. "CSAC Announces Membership Changes for 2018-19" (Press release). Colonial States Athletic Conference. June 30, 2017. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
    3. "A new conference shuffle coming". D3sports.com. June 6, 2017. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
    4. "Atlantic East has name, formal announcement". D3sports.com. March 1, 2018. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
    5. "CSAC Adds Two New Members for 2018-19" (Press release). Colonial States Athletic Conference. August 30, 2017. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
    6. "CSAC Adds New Member for 2019-20" (Press release). Colonial States Athletic Conference. March 21, 2018. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
    7. "CSAC Announces Addition of University of Valley Forge as 11th Core Member". Colonial States Athletic Conference. June 5, 2019. Retrieved July 6, 2019.
    8. "Centenary Athletics Moving to the Atlantic East Conference". Centenary Cyclones. June 18, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
    9. "CSAC and United East Conference - Intent to Merge".
    10. "Notre Dame of Maryland University to become fully co-ed for first time in more than 125 years". CBS Baltimore. September 13, 2022.
    11. "United East Conference and Colonial States Athletic Conference Officially Merge". The Southern Maryland Chronicle. June 23, 2023.
    12. 1 2 "PAC Adds Giants and Crimson Eagles" (PDF). Pennsylvania Athletic Conference. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 28, 2007. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
    13. 1 2 "Notre Dame, Centenary head to PAC". D3Hoops.com. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
    14. "Quick Facts - CSAC". Colonial States Athletic Conference.
    15. "MARIE STROMAN NAMED CSAC COMMISSIONER". Colonial States Athletic Conference. September 30, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.