# Mason–Dixon Conference

The Mason–Dixon Conference is a defunct NCAA Division II (former NCAA College Division) athletics conference, formed in 1936 and disbanded in October 1978. A track championship bearing the conference's name continued for several years after the demise of the all-sports league. Its members were predominantly from states bordering the eponymous Mason–Dixon line. A similarly named Mason-Dixon Athletic Conference began play in Division II men's basketball in 1983–84 with three of the previous members (Mount St. Mary's University, Randolph–Macon College, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County) plus Longwood University, Liberty University and the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.
Originally for track and field only, it was established in 1936 by Waldo Hamilton and Dorsey Griffith who both coached the sport at Johns Hopkins University and The Catholic University of America respectively. Its main purpose was to provide an annual championship meet for smaller colleges. The conference began with nine member schools. Besides the institutions for which the founders represented, the others were American University, Gallaudet University, Randolph–Macon College, University of Baltimore, University of Delaware, Washington College and Western Maryland College. Within four years it began to include other sports. Men's basketball was added in 1940. The Mason–Dixon Conference sought to "solidify small college athletics and to stimulate a competitive spirit."

## Member schools
### Final members

| Institution | Location | Founded | Affiliation | Enrollment | Nickname | Joined | Left | Current conference |
| University of Baltimore | Baltimore, Maryland | 1925 | Public | 2,825 | Super Bees | 1936–37 | 1977–78 | N/A |
| Frostburg State College | Frostburg, Maryland | 1898 | Public | 6,133 | Bobcats | 1977–78 | 1977–78 | Mountain East |
| George Mason University | Fairfax, Virginia | 1957 | Public | 35,047 | Patriots | 1972–73 | 1977–78 | Atlantic 10 |
| Mount St. Mary's University | Emmitsburg, Maryland | 1808 | Catholic | 1,889 | Mountaineers | 1940–41 | 1977–78 | MAAC |
| Towson State University | Towson, Maryland | 1866 | Public | 22,923 | Tigers | 1939–40 | 1977–78 | CAA |
| University of Maryland–Baltimore County | Catonsville, Maryland | 1966 | Public | 13,767 | Retrievers | 1972–73 | 1977–78 | America East |

#### Notes

* ↑ Baltimore discontinued its athletics program after the 1982–83 school year.
* ↑ Currently known as Frostburg State University since 1987.
* 1 2 3 4 Currently an NCAA Division I athletic conference.
* ↑ Currently known as Towson University since 1997.

### Other members

| Institution | Location | Founded | Affiliation | Enrollment | Nickname | Joined | Left | Current conference |
| American University | Washington, D.C. | 1893 | United Methodist | 6,028 | Eagles | 1936–37 | 1965–66 | Patriot |
| Bridgewater College | Bridgewater, Virginia | 1880 | Church of the Brethren | 1,690 | Bridgewater | 1941–42 | 1975–76 | ODAC |
| The Catholic University of America | Washington, D.C. | 1887 | Pontifical | 5,771 | Cardinals | 1936–37 | 1975–76 | Landmark |
| University of Delaware | Newark, Delaware | 1743 | Public | 23,281 | Fightin' Blue Hens | 1936–37 | 1946–47 | CAA (CUSA in 2025) |
| Emory and Henry College | Emory, Virginia | 1836 | United Methodist | 1,000 | Wasps | 1975–76 | 1975–76 | SAC |
| Gallaudet University | Washington, D.C. | 1864 | Quasigovernmental | 1,740 | Bison | 1936–37 | 1973–74 | United East |
| Hampden–Sydney College | Hampden Sydney, Virginia | 1775 | Presbyterian | 1,120 | Tigers | 1947–48 | 1975–76 | ODAC |
| Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, Maryland | 1876 | Nonsectarian | 20,174 | Blue Jays | 1936–37 | 1973–74 | Centennial |
| Loyola College Maryland | Baltimore, Maryland | 1852 | Catholic (Jesuit) | 4,068 | Greyhounds | 1940–41 | 1976–77 | Patriot |
| Lynchburg College | Lynchburg, Virginia | 1903 | Disciples of Christ | 2,500 | Hornets | 1948–49 | 1968–69 | ODAC |
| Old Dominion University | Norfolk, Virginia | 1930 | Public | 24,176 | Monarchs & Lady Monarchs | 1962–63 | 1968–69 | Sun Belt |
| Randolph–Macon College | Ashland, Virginia | 1830 | United Methodist | 1,146 | Yellow Jackets | 1936–37 | 1974–75 | ODAC |
| Roanoke College | Salem, Virginia | 1842 | Private | 2,000 | Maroons | 1948-49 | 1975–76 | ODAC |
| Salisbury State College | Salisbury, Maryland | 1925 | Public | 7,383 | Sea Gulls | 1974–75 | 1975–76 | Coast to Coast (C2C) |
| St. John's College of Maryland | Annapolis, Maryland | 1784 | Nonsectarian | 775 | — | 1936–37 | — | N/A |
| Shepherd University | Shepherdstown, West Virginia | 1871 | Public | 3,159 | Rams | 1964–65 | 1967–68 | PSAC |
| Washington and Lee University | Lexington, Virginia | 1749 | Nonsectarian | 2,200 | Generals | 1975–76 | 1975–76 | ODAC |
| Washington College | Chestertown, Maryland | 1782 | Nonsectarian | 1,479 | Shoremen & Shorewomen | 1936–37 | 1971–72 | Centennial |
| Western Maryland College | Westminster, Maryland | 1867 | Nonsectarian | 1,559 | Green Terror | 1936–37 | 1973–74 | Centennial |

#### Notes

* 1 2 3 4 Currently an NCAA Division I athletic conference.
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Currently an NCAA Division III athletic conference.
* ↑ Currently known as Emory and Henry University since 2024.
* ↑ Currently known as Loyola University Maryland since 2009.
* ↑ Currently known as the University of Lynchburg since 2018.
* ↑ Currently known as Salisbury University since 2001.
* ↑ Currently known as McDaniel College since 2002.