Great Northeast Athletic Conference

Last updated
Great Northeast Athletic Conference
Great north athletic conf logo25.png
Association NCAA
Founded1995;30 years ago (1995)
CommissionerJoe Walsh (since 2005)
Sports fielded
  • 22
    • men's: 11
    • women's: 11
Division Division III
No. of teams14
Headquarters Winthrop, Massachusetts
Region New England
Official website thegnac.com
Locations
GNEAC-USA-states.png

The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an intercollegiate athletic conference which competes in the Division III ranks of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Contents

History

Great Northeast Athletic Conference
Great Northeast Athletic Conference
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50km
31miles
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Dean
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New England College
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Mitchell
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Albertus Magnus
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Saint Joseph (CT)
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Colby-Sawyer
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Rivier
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Elms
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Norwich
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Saint Joseph's (ME)
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Simmons
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Emmanuel
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Regis
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Lasell
Locations of GNAC members, 2025–2026 Gold pog.svg full

Recent changes

On August 24, 2021, the University of New England joined the GNAC as an associate member for women's swimming & diving, beginning the 2021–22 academic year. [1]

On June 16, 2022, New England (Me.) left the GNAC as an associate member for women's swimming & diving after the 2021–22 academic year, to join the Little East Conference (LEC) as an affiliate member for that sport. [2]

On September 28, 2022, Mitchell College and New England College joined the GNAC, beginning the 2023–24 academic year. [3]

Chronological timeline

  • 1995 – In 1995, the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) was founded. Charter members included the following: On men's sports and women's sports, Albertus Magnus College, Daniel Webster College, Emerson College, Endicott College, Johnson & Wales University, Rhode Island Campus and Rivier College (now Rivier University); on women's sports only, Emmanuel College, Pine Manor College, the University of Saint Joseph, Simmons College (now Simmons University) and Suffolk University, all beginning the 1995–96 academic year.
  • 1998:
  • 1999 – Endicott left the GNAC to join the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) after the 1998–99 academic year.
  • 2001 – Emmanuel (Mass.) added men's sports in its athletic program to join the GNAC in the 2001–02 academic year.
  • 2004 – Elms College, Husson College (now Husson University) and Wheelock College joined the GNAC as associate members for women's swimming & diving in the 2004–05 academic year.
  • 2006 – Rhode Island College, the University of Southern Maine and the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth (a.k.a. Massachusetts–Dartmouth or UMass Dartmouth) joined the GNAC as associate members for men's golf in the 2007 spring season (2006–07 academic year).
  • 2007:
  • 2008 – Daniel Webster and Southern Vermont left the GNAC to join the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) after the 2007–08 academic year.
  • 2009 – Wheelock left the GNAC as an associate member for women's swimming & diving after the 2008–09 academic year.
  • 2011:
    • Anna Maria College joined the GNAC in the 2011–12 academic year.
    • Three institutions joined the GNAC as associate members (and/or added other single sports into their associate memberships), all effective in the 2011–12 academic year:
  • 2012:
  • 2013:
    • Emerson left the GNAC to join the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) after the 2012–13 academic year; while it remained in the conference as an associate member for men's volleyball since the 2014 spring season (2013–14 academic year).
    • Husson added men's swimming & diving into its GNAC associate membership in the 2013–14 academic year.
  • 2017:
    • Colby–Sawyer College joined the GNAC as an associate member for men's and women's swimming & diving in the 2017–18 academic year.
    • Regis (Mass.) had upgraded as a full member of the GNAC for all sports in the 2017–18 academic year.
  • 2018:
    • Mount Ida left the GNAC after the 2017–18 academic year; as the school ceased operations.
    • Colby–Sawyer had upgraded as a full member of the GNAC for all sports in the 2018–19 academic year.
    • Saint Joseph (Conn.) added men's sports in its athletic program to join the GNAC in the 2018–19 academic year.
    • Eastern Nazarene College joined the GNAC as an associate member for men's tennis in the 2019 spring season (2018–19 academic year).
  • 2019:
    • Worcester State left the GNAC as an associate member for men's golf after the 2019 spring season (2018–19 academic year).
    • Lesley University joined the GNAC as an associate member for men's tennis in the 2020 spring season (2019–20 academic year).
  • 2020:
    • Five institutions left the GNAC as associate members, all effective after the 2019–20 academic year:
      • Lesley for men's tennis
      • Husson for men's and women's swimming & diving
      • and Rhode Island College, Southern Maine and UMass Dartmouth for men's golf
    • Dean College joined the GNAC in the 2020–21 academic year.
  • 2021 – Elms had upgraded as a full member of the GNAC for all sports in the 2021–22 academic year.
  • 2021 – The University of New England joined the GNAC as an associate member for women's swimming & diving in the 2021–22 academic year.
  • 2022 – New England (Me.) left the GNAC as an associate member for women's swimming & diving to join the Little East Conference (LEC) for that sport after the 2021–22 academic year.
  • 2023 – Mitchell College and New England College joined the GNAC in the 2023–24 academic year.
  • 2024 – Eastern Nazarene left the GNAC as an associate member for men's tennis after the 2024 spring season (2023–24 academic year).
  • 2025 – Two institutions left the GNAC to join their respective new home primary conferences, both effective beginning the 2025–26 academic year:

Member schools

Former Great Northeast Athletic Conference until spring 2025 Great northeast conf logo.png
Former Great Northeast Athletic Conference until spring 2025

Current members

The GNAC currently has fourteen full members, all are private schools:

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoined [a]
Albertus Magnus College New Haven, Connecticut 1925 Catholic
(D.S.P.)
1,961 Falcons 1995
Colby–Sawyer College New London, New Hampshire 1837Nonsectarian2,262 Chargers 2018
Dean College Franklin, Massachusetts 1865Nonsectarian1,055 Bulldogs 2020
Elms College [b] Chicopee, Massachusetts 1928Catholic
(S.S.J.)
1,713 Blazers 2021 [c]
Emmanuel College [b] Boston, Massachusetts 1919Catholic
(SNDdeN)
1,850 Saints 1995
Lasell University [b] Newton, Massachusetts 1851Nonsectarian2,200 Lasers 2007
Mitchell College New London, Connecticut 1938Nonsectarian572 Mariners 2023
New England College Henniker, New Hampshire 1946Nonsectarian4,327 Pilgrims 2023
Norwich University Northfield, Vermont 1819 Private 2,300 Cadets 1998
Regis College [b] Weston, Massachusetts 1927Catholic
(S.S.J.)
2,748 Pride 2017
Rivier University Nashua, New Hampshire 1933Catholic
(S.P.M.)
2,520 Raiders 1995
University of Saint Joseph [b] West Hartford, Connecticut 1932Catholic
(R.S.M.)
2,467 Blue Jays 1995
Saint Joseph's College of Maine Standish, Maine 1912Catholic
(R.S.M.)
1,987 Monks 2007
Simmons University [d] [e] Boston, Massachusetts 1899Nonsectarian1,900 Sharks 1995
Notes
  1. Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 This institution is a former women's college, which has eventually turned into a co-educational college (Lasell since 1997–98, Elms since 1998–99, Emmanuel (Mass.) since 2001–02, Regis (Mass.) since 2007–08 and Saint Joseph (Conn.) since 2018–19).
  3. Before joining for full membership, Elms competed in the GNAC as an associate member for swimming & diving from 2008–09 to 2020–21. [4]
  4. This institution is a women's college, therefore it does not compete in men's sports.
  5. Non-basketball member; therefore Simmons had sponsored women's basketball until after at least the 2018–19 school year.

Associate members

The GNAC currently has two associate members, both are private schools:

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoined [a] GNAC
sport(s)
Primary
conference
Emerson College [b] Boston, Massachusetts 1880Nonsectarian4,290 Lions 2013Men's volleyball New England (NEWMAC)
Wentworth Institute of Technology Boston, Massachusetts 1904Nonsectarian4,576 Leopards 2011Men's volleyball C. New England (CNE)
Notes
  1. Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
  2. Emerson was a full member of the GNAC from 1995–96 to 2012–13.

Former members

The GNAC had ten former full members, all were private schools:

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoined [a] Left [b] Current
conference
Anna Maria College Paxton, Massachusetts 1946Catholic
(S.S.A.)
1,500 Amcats 20112025 Massachusetts (MASCAC)
Daniel Webster College Nashua, New Hampshire 1965 For-profit N/A Eagles 19952008Closed in 2017
Endicott College Beverly, Massachusetts 1939Nonsectarian4,528 Gulls 19951999 C. New England (CNE)
Emerson College [c] Boston, Massachusetts 1880Nonsectarian4,290 Lions 19952013 New England (NEWMAC)
Johnson & Wales University Providence, Rhode Island 1914Nonsectarian8,564 Wildcats 19952025 C. New England (CNE)
Mount Ida College Newton, Massachusetts 1899NonsectarianN/A Mustangs 20072018Closed in 2018
Pine Manor College [d] Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 1911NonsectarianN/A Gators 19952012N/A [e]
Southern Vermont College Bennington, Vermont 1929NonsectarianN/A Mountaineers 19982008Closed in 2019
Suffolk University Boston, Massachusetts 1906Nonsectarian6,832 Rams 19952020 C. New England (CNE)
Western New England University Springfield, Massachusetts 1919Nonsectarian3,702 Golden Bears 19982007 C. New England (CNE)
Notes
  1. Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
  2. Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition ends.
  3. Emerson remains in the GNAC as an associate member for men's volleyball.
  4. This institution is a former women's college, which has eventually turned into a co-educational college (Pine Manor from 2014–15).
  5. Pine Manor was acquired by Boston College in 2021.

Former associate members

The GNAC had 11 former associate members, 6 were private schools while 5 were public schools:

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoined [a] Left [b] GNAC
sport(s)
Primary
conference
Eastern Nazarene College Quincy, Massachusetts 1900 Nazarene 1,063 Lions 20182020Men's tennis North Atlantic (NAC)
Husson University Bangor, Maine 1898Nonsectarian3,500 Eagles 2008m.sw.2020m.sw.Men's swimming & diving North Atlantic (NAC)
2008w.sw.2020w.sw.Women's swimming & diving
Lesley University Cambridge, Massachusetts 1909Nonsectarian6,593 Lynx 20192020Men's tennis North Atlantic (NAC)
University of New England Biddeford, Maine 1831Nonsectarian7,208 Nor'easters 20212022Women's swimming & diving C. New England (CNE)
Ramapo College Mahwah, New Jersey 1969Public5,145 Roadrunners 20132019Men's tennis New Jersey (NJAC)
Rhode Island College Providence, Rhode Island 1854Nonsectarian7,523 Anchormen 20082020Men's golf Little East (LEC)
Rutgers University–Camden Camden, New Jersey 1950Public6,158 Scarlet
Raptors
20142019Men's tennis New Jersey (NJAC)
Rutgers University–Newark Newark, New Jersey 1945Public12,321 Scarlet
Raiders
20132019Men's tennis New Jersey (NJAC)
University of Southern Maine Portland, Maine 1878Public8,022 Huskies 20082020Men's golf Little East (LEC)
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth North Dartmouth, Massachusetts 1895Public8,513 Corsairs 20122020Men's golf Little East (LEC) [c]
Worcester State University Worcester, Massachusetts 1874Public [d] 5,611 Lancers 20122019Men's golf Mass. State (MASCAC)
Notes
  1. Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
  2. Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition ends.
  3. Massachusetts–Dartmouth (UMass Dartmouth) discontinued men's golf at the end of the 2019–20 school year due to budget cuts.
  4. Part of the Massachusetts State Universities System. [5]

Membership timeline

New England CollegeMitchell CollegeUniversity of New England (United States)Dean CollegeLesley UniversityEastern Nazarene CollegeColby-Sawyer CollegeRegis College (Massachusetts)Rutgers University–CamdenRutgers University–NewarkRamapo CollegeWorcester State UniversityWentworth Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts State Collegiate Athletic ConferenceAnna Maria CollegeUniversity of Massachusetts DartmouthUniversity of Southern MaineRhode Island CollegeHusson UniversityElms CollegeSaint Joseph's College of MaineMount Ida CollegeLasell CollegeConference of New EnglandConference of New EnglandWestern New England UniversityNew England Collegiate ConferenceSouthern Vermont CollegeNorwich UniversityConference of New EnglandConference of New EnglandSuffolk UniversitySimmons UniversityUniversity of Saint Joseph (Connecticut)Rivier UniversityCoast to Coast Athletic ConferenceAmerican Collegiate Athletic AssociationNCAA Division III independent schoolsGreat South Athletic ConferencePine Manor CollegeConference of New EnglandJohnson %26 Wales UniversityConference of New EnglandConference of New EnglandEndicott CollegeNew England Women's and Men's Athletic ConferenceEmerson CollegeEmmanuel College (Massachusetts)New England Collegiate ConferenceDaniel Webster CollegeAlbertus Magnus CollegeGreat Northeast Athletic Conference

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

Sports

A divisional format is used for basketball (M / W).
North
  • Anna Maria
  • Colby–Sawyer
  • Emmanuel
  • Norwich
  • Rivier
  • Saint Joseph (Maine)
South
  • Albertus Magnus
  • Dean
  • Elms
  • Lasell
  • Regis
  • Saint Joseph (Conn.)
Conference sports
SportMen'sWomen's
Baseball
Green check.svgY
Basketball
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Cross country
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Field hockey
Green check.svgY
Golf
Green check.svgY
Lacrosse
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Soccer
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Softball
Green check.svgY
Swimming & diving
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Track & field
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Volleyball
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY

Men's sponsored sports by school

SchoolBaseballBasketballCross CountryGolfLacrosseSoccerSwimming & DivingTrack & FieldVolleyballTotal GNAC sports
Albertus MagnusGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svg6
Colby–SawyerGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svg6
DeanGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svg7
ElmsGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svg8
EmmanuelRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg7
LasellGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg7
MitchellGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgRed x.svg6
New EnglandGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svg7
NorwichGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svg7
RegisRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg7
RivierGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svg5
Saint Joseph (CT)Green check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svg6
Saint Joseph’s (ME)Green check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svg8
Totals11131181313666+289
EmersonGreen check.svg
WentworthGreen check.svg

Men's varsity sports not sponsored by theGNAC that are played by GNAC schools

SchoolAlpine SkiingFootballIce HockeyNordic SkiingRifleRugbyTennisWrestling
Albertus Magnus UCHC IND
Colby–Sawyer EISA CNE
Dean MASCAC
Emmanuel IND
New EnglandGreen check.svg CNE LEC Green check.svg NEWA
Norwich NEWMAC LEC Green check.svgCo-Ed NACR Empire 8 NEWA
Rivier MASCAC
Saint Joseph (CT) CNE
Saint Joseph's (ME)Green check.svg

Women's sponsored sports by school

SchoolBasketballCross CountryField HockeyLacrosseSoccerSoftballSwimming & DivingTrack & FieldVolleyballTotal GNAC sports
Albertus MagnusGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svg7
Colby–SawyerGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg8
DeanGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svg7
ElmsGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svg8
EmmanuelGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg7
LasellGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg8
MitchellGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svg6
New EnglandGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg8
NorwichGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svg7
RegisGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg9
RivierGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svg6
Saint Joseph (CT)Green check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svg8
Saint Joseph’s (ME)Green check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg9
SimmonsRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg8
Totals1312111414147714106

Women's varsity sports not sponsored by theGNAC that are played by GNAC schools

SchoolAlpine SkiingGolfIce HockeyNordic SkiingRifleRowingRugbyTennisWrestling
Albertus Magnus IND UCHC IND
Colby–Sawyer EISA CNE
Dean IND
Emmanuel2026-27
New EnglandGreen check.svg LEC Green check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg
Norwich LEC Green check.svgCo-Ed NCR Green check.svg
Rivier MASCAC
Saint Joseph (CT) CNE
Saint Joseph's (ME)Green check.svg IND
Simmons NEWMAC NAC

References

  1. "UNE Women Join GNAC Swimming & Diving as Associate Member" (Press release). Great Northeast Athletic Conference. August 24, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  2. "University of New England Women's Swimming to Join LEC as Affiliate Member in 2022-23" (Press release). Little East Conference. June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  3. "Mitchell, NEC Joining GNAC in 2023-24 Academic Year" (Press release). Great Northeast Athletic Conference. September 28, 2022. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  4. "Elms, GNAC Ready to Begin Conference Affiliation in 2021-22". Great Northeast Athletic Conference. April 7, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  5. Massachusetts State Universities – The Nine State Universities of Massachusetts