Click Here For Chicago State Announcement
Click Here For Mercyhurst State Announcement

Bridgewater, NJ -- The start of the 2024-25 academic year heralds an exciting new era for the Northeast Conference (NEC) with the official additions of Chicago State University and Mercyhurst University to the membership.

Chicago State and Mercyhurst will join NEC charter members Fairleigh Dickinson University, Long Island University, Saint Francis University and Wagner College, alongside Central Connecticut State University (admitted in 1997), Stonehill College (admitted in 2022) and Le Moyne College (admitted in 2023) in a nine-school alignment.

Chicago State accepted a membership invitation from the NEC Council of Presidents on December 5, 2023.

Located on Chicago's south side, CSU offers 15 varsity intercollegiate athletic programs, all of which are sponsored by the NEC. The Cougars field seven men's teams and eight women's teams. Sports sponsorship at CSU includes men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field, and women’s volleyball.

Chicago State will be integrated into NEC athletic schedules beginning with the 2024-25 academic year. The Cougars will gain immediate eligibility to participate in all NEC championships and earn the conference's automatic qualifier to NCAA Championships.

The inclusion of Chicago State markedly expanded the NEC footprint, now encompassing three of the United States' top-10 media markets: New York City (No. 1), Chicago (No. 3) and Boston (No. 8).

"Today, we enthusiastically welcome Chicago State University into the NEC community and eagerly anticipate the profound impact and competitive spirit that the Cougar student-athletes will bring to our conference," said NEC Commissioner Noreen Morris on the day of the announcement.. "This addition signifies a strategic entry into the Windy City, the nation’s third-largest media market. As Chicago State continues its upward trajectory, we look forward to a dynamic partnership that enriches both the conference and the vibrant campus life at CSU."

“Chicago State University has determined the NEC is the best future fit for the university and its athletic programs,” said Chicago State President Zaldwaynaka “Z” Scott. “Our move to the NEC, a thriving conference with strong academic and athletic traditions, will continue to raise the university’s profile by increasing its visibility and growing our reach across the country. We look forward to a great conference relationship and beginning a new era of sports programming.”

Following its acceptance of the NEC's invitation on April 4, Mercyhurst now embarks on its four-year NCAA reclassification journey, setting the stage for official conference membership in 2028-29. 

Located in Erie, Pennsylvania, Mercyhurst offers 27 varsity intercollegiate athletic programs, including 13 men’s sports and 14 women’s sports. Sports sponsorship at Mercyhurst includes baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, women’s bowling, men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, football, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s ice hockey, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s heavyweight and lightweight rowing, women’s rowing, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, stunt, men’s and women’s tennis, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s water polo and wrestling. The Lakers will participate in 18 of the NEC’s 25 championship sports in 2024-25.

During its reclassification, Mercyhurst will immediately be able to participate in NEC championships in NCAA non-automatic qualifier sports (cross country, swimming and diving, and indoor and outdoor track and field). Beginning in 2026-27, all Mercyhurst athletic programs will be eligible to compete in the NEC postseason but will remain ineligible for NCAA competition until the 2028-29 academic year.

“Today, on behalf of the NEC Council of Presidents, we are delighted to extend a heartfelt welcome to Mercyhurst University as the newest member of the NEC,” said Morris during the on-campus announcement in April. “Mercyhurst’s commitment to bringing out the best in their student-athletes, both on the field and in the classroom, alongside their focus on community engagement, deeply resonated with our mission and values. We appreciate President Kathleen Getz and Athletic Director Joe Spano for their exceptional leadership throughout this process. Their forward-thinking vision and meticulous planning have positioned the Lakers for a seamless and successful transition to Division I and the NEC. We’re eager to kick off this partnership, which promises to uplift the conference and invigorate both the vibrant campus life at Mercyhurst and the surrounding Erie community.”

“Today marks a watershed moment for Mercyhurst University, amplifying our commitment to excellence in all that we do,” said Mercyhurst President Kathleen Getz. “In making this transition to the Northeast Conference, we believe our Mercyhurst community, our alumni, and devoted fans will benefit from a new era of spirited competition and connectedness, forging an enduring legacy for future generations of Lakers. Further, we are truly grateful for the gracious welcome extended to us by Commissioner Noreen Morris and the NEC Council of Presidents, whose values and mission are strategically aligned with our own.”

About The Northeast Conference
Now entering its 44th season, the Northeast Conference is an NCAA Division I collegiate athletic association consisting of nine institutions of higher learning located throughout six states. Media coverage of the NEC extends to a number of the largest markets in the United States including New York (#1), Chicago (#3), Boston (#8). Hartford/New Haven (#32) and Syracuse (#87). Founded in 1981 as the basketball-only ECAC Metro Conference, the NEC has grown to sponsor 25 championship sports for men and women and now enjoys automatic access to 16 different NCAA Championships. NEC full member institutions include Central Connecticut, Chicago State, FDU, Le Moyne, LIU, Mercyhurst, Saint Francis U, Stonehill and Wagner. For more information on the NEC, visit the league’s official website official website (www.northeastconference.org) and digital network (www.necfrontrow.com), or follow the league on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, all @NECsports.