Little East Conference

Last updated
Little East Conference
Little East Conference logo.svg
Association NCAA
Founded1986
CommissionerPamela S. Samuelson, PhD (since June 7, 2019)
Sports fielded
  • 19
    • men's: 8
    • women's: 11
Division Division III
No. of teams9
Headquarters North Providence, Rhode Island
Region New England
Official website www.littleeast.com
Locations
LEC-USA-states.png

The Little East Conference (LEC) is an intercollegiate athletic conference that competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III. The member institutions are located in all six states of New England.

Contents

History

Little East Conference
Little East Conference
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50km
30miles
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ECSU
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UNE
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WNE
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Salem State
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Mass Maritime
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Bridgewater State
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Westfield State
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Castleton
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UMass Dartmouth
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UMass Boston
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Southern Maine
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WCSU
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R.I. College
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Plymouth State
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Keene State
Locations of Little East members, 2022-2023 Blue pog.svg full and Gold pog.svg associate

Chronological timeline

Member schools

Current members

The Little East currently has nine full members, all are public schools:

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentEndowment
(millions)
NicknameJoinedColors
Eastern Connecticut State University Willimantic, Connecticut 1889Public [lower-alpha 1] 4,989$16.3 Warriors 1986   
Keene State College Keene, New Hampshire 1909Public [lower-alpha 2] 3,213$14.0 [lower-alpha 3] Owls 1997   
Plymouth State University Plymouth, New Hampshire 1871Public [lower-alpha 2] 4,491$28.9 Panthers 1986   
Rhode Island College Providence, Rhode Island 1854Public [lower-alpha 4] 7,523$16.4 Anchormen &
Anchorwomen
1986   
University of Massachusetts Boston Boston, Massachusetts 1852Public [lower-alpha 5] 16,259$92.0 Beacons 1986   
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Dartmouth, Massachusetts 1895Public [lower-alpha 5] 8,513$59.0 Corsairs 1986   
University of Southern Maine Gorham, Maine [lower-alpha 6] 1878Public [lower-alpha 7] 8,022$38.5 Huskies 1986     
Vermont State University–Castleton Castleton, Vermont 1787Public [lower-alpha 8] 2,399$7.86 Spartans 2018   
Western Connecticut State University Danbury, Connecticut 1903Public [lower-alpha 1] 5,246$12.8 Wolves 1993   
Notes
  1. 1 2 Part of the Connecticut State University System.
  2. 1 2 Part of the University System of New Hampshire.
  3. Actual amount in endowment is $13,996,219.
  4. Part of the Rhode Island Board of Education.
  5. 1 2 Part of the University of Massachusetts System.
  6. The University of Southern Maine's main campus is located at Gorham; with other campuses at Lewiston and Portland.
  7. Part of the University of Maine System.
  8. Part of the Vermont State Colleges System.

Associate members

The Little East currently has six associate members, all but two are public schools:

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentEndowment
(millions)
NicknameJoinedColorsPrimary
conference
LEC
sport(s)
Bridgewater State University Bridgewater, Massachusetts 1840Public [lower-alpha 1] 10,651$54.0 Bears 2004–05m.ten.
2004–05w.ten.
      MASCAC men's tennis;
women's tennis
Massachusetts Maritime Academy Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts 1891Public [lower-alpha 1] 1,637$13.05 [lower-alpha 2] Buccaneers 2019–20    MASCAC men's lacrosse
University of New England Biddeford, Maine 1831 Nonsectarian 7,208$39.2 Nor'easters 2022–23    CCC women's swimming & diving
Salem State University Salem, Massachusetts 1854Public [lower-alpha 1] 7,242$25.3 Vikings 2000–01m.lax.
2003–04m.ten.
2004–05w.ten.
      MASCAC men's lacrosse;
men's tennis;
women's tennis
Western New England University Springfield, Massachusetts 1919Nonsectarian3,702$55.9 Golden Bears 2019–20    CCC women's swimming & diving [3]
Westfield State University Westfield, Massachusetts 1838Public [lower-alpha 1] 5,400$6.2 Owls 2009–10      MASCAC women's swimming & diving
Notes
  1. 1 2 3 4 Part of the Massachusetts State Universities System.
  2. Actual amount in endowment is $13,051,554.

Future associate members

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoinedPrimary
conference
Little East
sport
Babson College Wellesley, Massachusetts 1919Nonsectarian2,350 Beavers 2025–26 NEWMAC men's ice hockey
New England College Henniker, New Hampshire 1946Nonsectarian4,327 Pilgrims 2025–26 GNAC men's ice hockey;
women's ice hockey
Norwich University Northfield, Vermont 1819 Private 2,300 Cadets 2025–26 GNAC men's ice hockey;
women's ice hockey

Former associate members

The Little East had six former associate members, all of which were also public schools:

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentEndowmentNicknameJoinedLeftColorsPrimary
conference
LEC
sport(s)
Bridgewater State University Bridgewater, Massachusetts 1840Public [lower-alpha 1] 10,651$54.0 Bears 2000–01f.h.
2009–10w.s.d.
2022–23f.h.
2014–15w.s.d.
      MASCAC field hockey;
women's swimming & diving
Fitchburg State University Fitchburg, Massachusetts 1894Public [lower-alpha 1] 4,659$19.9 Falcons 2000–012022–23    MASCAC field hockey
Framingham State University Framingham, Massachusetts 1839Public [lower-alpha 1] 4,111$35.4 [lower-alpha 2] Rams 2000–012022–23    MASCAC field hockey
Salem State University Salem, Massachusetts 1854Public [lower-alpha 1] 7,242$25.3 Vikings 2000–012022–23      MASCAC field hockey
Westfield State University Westfield, Massachusetts 1838Public [lower-alpha 1] 5,400$6.2 Owls 2000–012022–23      MASCAC field hockey
Worcester State University Worcester, Massachusetts 1874Public [lower-alpha 1] 6,434$34.5 Lancers 2000–01f.h.
2009–10w.ten.
2022–23f.h.
2020–21w.ten.
    MASCAC field hockey;
women's tennis
Notes
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Part of the Massachusetts State Universities System.
  2. Actual amount in endowment is $35,385,907.

Membership timeline

University of New EnglandWestern New England UniversityMassachusetts Maritime AcademyCastleton UniversityWorcester State UniversityWestfield State UniversitySalem State UniversityFramingham State UniversityFitchburg State UniversityBridgewater State UniversityKeene State CollegeWestern Connecticut State UniversityUniversity of Southern MaineRhode Island CollegePlymouth State CollegeUniversity of Massachusetts–DartmouthUniversity of Massachusetts–BostonEastern Connecticut State UniversityLittle East Conference

Sports

The LEC sponsors intercollegiate athletic competition in men's baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, women's field hockey, men's and women's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, women's softball, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's track and field, and women's volleyball.

In 2023, the Little East announced the addition of men's and women's ice hockey to begin play in 2025. [4]

Men's sports

School Baseball Basketball Cross
Country
Golf Ice
Hockey
[lower-alpha 1]
Lacrosse Soccer Swimming
& Diving
Tennis Track &
Field
(Indoor)
Track &
Field
(Outdoor)
Total
CastletonGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg10
Eastern ConnecticutGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg9
Keene StateGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg9
Plymouth StateGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg9
Rhode Island CollegeGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg9
Southern MaineGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg10
UMass–BostonGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg9
UMass–DartmouthGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg7
Western ConnecticutGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svg [lower-alpha 2] Green check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svg7
Totals99946+38+294+15+28879+8
Associate Members
BabsonGreen check.svg1
Bridgewater StateGreen check.svgGreen check.svg2
Massachusetts MaritimeGreen check.svg1
New England CollegeGreen check.svg1
NorwichGreen check.svg1
Salem StateGreen check.svgGreen check.svg2

Women's sports

School Basketball Cross
Country
Field
Hockey
Ice
Hockey
[lower-alpha 1]
Lacrosse Soccer Softball Swimming
& Diving
Tennis Track &
Field
(Indoor)
Track &
Field
(Outdoor)
Volleyball Total
CastletonGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg11
Eastern ConnecticutGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg10
Keene StateGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg11
Plymouth StateGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg12
Rhode Island CollegeGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg10
Southern MaineGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg11
UMass–BostonGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg9
UMass–DartmouthGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg11
Western ConnecticutGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svg [lower-alpha 2] Green check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svg9
Totals9975+28996+37+289894+7
Associate Members
Bridgewater StateGreen check.svg1
New England CollegeGreen check.svg1
U. of New EnglandGreen check.svg1
NorwichGreen check.svg1
Salem StateGreen check.svg1
Western New EnglandGreen check.svg1
Westfield StateGreen check.svg1

Notes

  1. 1 2 Little East will start to sponsor men's and women's ice hockey in 2025–26.
  2. 1 2 Western Connecticut will start to sponsor men's ice hockey in 2025–26 and women's ice hockey in 2026–27.

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References

  1. "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.
  2. "Little East Field Hockey Preseason Poll Released". 2022-08-24.
  3. "Affiliate Members". littleeast.com. Retrieved 2021-10-22.
  4. "LEC Announces Men's Ice Hockey as Conference's 22nd Championship Sport". Little East Conference. July 24, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2024.