Atlantic East Conference

Atlantic East Conference
Association	NCAA
Founded	2018
Commissioner	Rebecca Mullen (Interim) (since July 2024)
Sports fielded	20;
Division	Division III
No. of teams	7
Headquarters	Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Region	Mid-Atlantic
Official website	atlanticeast.com
Locations

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]

History

75km
50miles

Pratt

Manhattanville

NJCU

WPU

Cedar Crest

Gallaudet

SMCM

Neumann

Marywood

Marymount

Immaculata

Gwynedd Mercy

Centenary

Location of AEC members:

full

affiliate

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

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: 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, after the 2020–21 academic year.
2021 – Centenary College of New Jersey (now Centenary University) joined the Atlantic East in the 2021–22 academic year.
2021 – 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 – Cabrini left the Atlantic East as the show announced that it had been sold to nearby Villanova University and had ceased operations after the 2023–24 academic year.
2024 – Pratt Institute joined the Atlantic East in the 2024–25 academic year.

Member schools

Full members

The 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

The 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	United East (UEC)	women's swimming
Gallaudet University	Washington, D.C.	1864	Nonsectarian (Quasi-governmental)	1,740	Bison	2020^m.sw.; 2020^w.sw.	United East (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	2021^m.gf.; 2021^w.gf.	New Jersey (NJAC)	men's golf; women's golf
St. Mary's College of Maryland	St. Mary's City, Maryland	1840	Public	1,950	Seahawks	2020^m.sw.; 2020^w.sw.; 2020^f.h	United East (UEC)	men's swimming; women's swimming field hockey
William Paterson University	Wayne, New Jersey	1855	Public	10,970	Pioneers	2019	New Jersey (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

The Atlantic East had two former full members, both private schools:

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

Sports

The Atlantic East sponsored 20 sports at its launch—nine for men and 11 for women.

**Conference sports**
Sport	Men's	Women's
Baseball	Y
Basketball	Y	Y
Cross country	Y	Y
Field hockey		Y
Golf	Y	Y
Lacrosse	Y	Y
Soccer	Y	Y
Softball		Y
Swimming & diving	Y	Y
Tennis	Y	Y
Track & field (outdoor)	Y	Y
Volleyball		Y

Men's sponsored sports by school

School	Baseball	Basketball	Cross country	Golf	Lacrosse	Soccer	Swimming & diving	Tennis	Track & field (outdoor)	Total AEC sports
Centenary	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	N	N	6
Gwynedd Mercy	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	Y	N	Y	Y	7
Immaculata	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	8
Marymount	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	9
Marywood	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	9
Neumann	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	Y	8
Pratt	N	Y	Y	N	N	Y	N	Y	Y	5
Totals	6	7	7	4+2	6	7	3+2	6	6	51+4
Gallaudet							Y			1
NJCU				Y						1
St. Mary's							Y			1
William Paterson				Y						1

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

School	Equestiran	Ice hockey	Rugby	Track & field (indoor)	Volleyball	Wrestling
Centenary	IHSA^[A]	N	N	N	N	Independent
Gwynedd Mercy	N	N	N	ECAC	N	N
Immaculata	N	N	N	N	CVC	N
Marymount	N	N	N	N	CVC	N
Marywood	N	N	MARC	ECAC	N	N
Neumann	N	UCHC	N	ECAC	CVC	N
Pratt	IHSA^[a]	N	N	ECAC	UEC	N

^ Centenary's equestrian program is not sponsored by the NCAA but through the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association.

Women's sponsored sports by school

School	Basketball	Cross country	Field hockey	Golf	Lacrosse	Soccer	Softball	Swimming & diving	Tennis	Track & field (outdoor)	Volleyball	Total AEC sports
Centenary	Y	Y	N	N	Y	Y	Y	N	N	N	Y	6
Gwynedd Mercy	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	9
Immaculata	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	10
Marymount	Y	Y	N	Y^[b]	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	10
Marywood	Y	Y	Y	Y^[c]	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	11
Neumann	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	N^[d]	Y	Y	Y	10
Pratt	Y	Y	N	N	N	Y	N	N	Y	Y	Y	6
Totals	7	7	4+2	3+1	6	7	6	3+3	6	6	7	62+6
Cedar Crest								Y				1
Gallaudet								Y				1
Manhattanville			Y									1
NJCU				Y								1
St. Mary's			Y					Y				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

School	Equestrian^[a]	Rowing	Rugby^[b]	Track & field (indoor)
Centenary	IHSA^[c]	N	N	N
Gwynedd Mercy	N	N	N	ECAC
Marywood	N	N	MARC	ECAC
Neumann	N	N	N	ECAC
Pratt	IHSA^[d]	N	N	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

^ "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.

External links

Official website

[13] Wesley was acquired by Delaware State University in 2021.

[14] Cabrini was acquired by Villanova University in 2024.

[fn5-15] Centenary's equestrian program is not sponsored by the NCAA but through the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association.

[16] Pratt's equestrian program is governed by the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association.

[17] Marymount University is also an affiliate member of the Centennial Conference in women's golf.

[18] Marywood University is also an affiliate member of the Landmark Conference in women's golf.

[19] Neumann University announced the addition of women's swimming for the 2015-16 season but has yet to have its inaugural season.

[20] 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.

[21] Women's rugby in all NCAA divisions is part of the Emerging Sports for Women program.

[22] Centenary's equestrian program is governed by the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association.

[23] Pratt's equestrian program is governed by the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association.

[1] "Atlantic East has name, formal announcement". D3sports.com. March 1, 2018. Retrieved March 6, 2018.

[2018_CSAC_departures-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.

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