# Atlantic East Conference

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.

## History

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). 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.
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. 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. 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.
On January 12, 2020, it was announced that Cedar Crest College would join the AEC as an affiliate member in women's swimming & diving.
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.
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.
On June 18, 2021, Centenary University announced its move to Atlantic East from the CSAC also in 2021–22. 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.
In 2023, the conference announced that it would add women's flag football as a fully sponsored sport, with the first season planned for spring 2025. The first season took place on the announced schedule, with the initial membership consisting of full members Centenary, Immaculata, Marymount, and Neumann and associate members Eastern University; NCAA Division II member Holy Family University; and Penn State Schuylkill, a member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association instead of the NCAA. In 2025–26, full conference member Marywood will add the sport, and another Division II member, Chestnut Hill College, will join as an associate member. The AEC is the first NCAA conference to officially sponsor flag football.

### 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 (DE) 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.
** Centenary College of New Jersey (now Centenary University) joined the Atlantic East in the 2021–22 academic year.
** 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 school announced that it had been sold to nearby Villanova University and had ceased operations after the 2023–24 academic year.
** The Atlantic East announced that it would add women's flag football as a fully sponsored sport, with a planned start date of spring 2025.
* 2024
** Pratt Institute joined the Atlantic East in the 2024–25 academic year.
** Also in the 2024–25 academic year, the Atlantic East became the first NCAA conference to sponsor women's flag football as a varsity sport.

## 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 (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 (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 |

#### Notes

* ↑ Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.

### Associate members

The AEC currently has nine associate members, three being public schools, one being a privately governed but state-supported institution, and the rest being private 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 |
| Eastern University | St. Davids, Pennsylvania | 1925 | Baptist (ABC USA) | 4,429 | Eagles | 2024 | MAC Commonwealth | Women's flag football |
| Gallaudet University | Washington, D.C. | 1864 | Nonsectarian (Quasi-governmental) | 1,740 | Bison | 2020 | United East (UEC) | Men's swimming |
| Gallaudet University | Washington, D.C. | 1864 | Nonsectarian (Quasi-governmental) | 1,740 | Bison | 2020 | United East (UEC) | Women's swimming |
| Holy Family University | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 1954 | Catholic (CSFN) | 2,955 | Tigers | 2024 | CACC (NCAA Division II) | Women's flag football |
| Manhattanville University | Purchase, New York | 1841 | Nonsectarian | 2,494 | Valiants | 2022 | Skyline | Field hockey |
| New Jersey City University | Jersey City, New Jersey | 1929 | Public | 7,300 | Gothic Knights | 2021 | New Jersey (NJAC) | Men's golf |
| New Jersey City University | Jersey City, New Jersey | 1929 | Public | 7,300 | Gothic Knights | 2021 | New Jersey (NJAC) | Women's golf |
| Penn State Schuylkill | Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania | 1934 | State-related | 594 | Nittany Lions | 2024 | PSUAC (USCAA) | Women's flag football |
| St. Mary's College of Maryland | St. Mary's City, Maryland | 1840 | Public | 1,950 | Seahawks | 2020 | United East (UEC) | Field hockey |
| St. Mary's College of Maryland | St. Mary's City, Maryland | 1840 | Public | 1,950 | Seahawks | 2020 | United East (UEC) | Men's swimming |
| St. Mary's College of Maryland | St. Mary's City, Maryland | 1840 | Public | 1,950 | Seahawks | 2020 | United East (UEC) | Women's swimming |
| William Paterson University | Wayne, New Jersey | 1855 | Public | 10,970 | Pioneers | 2019 | New Jersey (NJAC) | Men's golf |

### Future associate member

The AEC will add one more private school as an associate member in 2025.
| Institution | Location | Founded | Affiliation | Enrollment | Nickname | Joining | Primary conference | AEC sport(s) |
| Chestnut Hill College | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 1924 | Catholic (CSJ) | 1,072 | Griffins | 2025 | CACC (NCAA Division II) | Women's flag football |

#### Notes

* ↑ Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
* ↑ Formerly affiliated with the Society of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ) within the Catholic Church until the 1970s.
* ↑ Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.

### 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 |
| Cabrini University | Radnor, Pennsylvania | 1957 | Catholic (Missionary Sisters) | 1,759 | Cavaliers | 2018 | 2024 | N/A |

#### Notes

* ↑ Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
* ↑ Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition ends.
* ↑ 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. The conference has since added flag football as a 12th women's sport.
Conference sports :
| Sport | Men's | Women's |
| Baseball | Y | |
| Basketball | Y | Y |
| Cross country | Y | Y |
| Field hockey | | Y |
| Flag football | | 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 | Equestrian | Ice hockey | Rugby | Track & field (indoor) | Volleyball | Wrestling |
| Centenary | IHSA | 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 | 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 | Flag football | Golf | Lacrosse | Soccer | Softball | Swimming & diving | Tennis | Track & field (outdoor) | Volleyball | Total AEC sports |
| Centenary | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | 7 |
| Gwynedd Mercy | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | 9 |
| Immaculata | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 11 |
| Marymount | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 11 |
| Marywood | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 11 |
| Neumann | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | 11 |
| Pratt | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | N | N | Y | Y | Y | 6 |
| Totals | 7 | 7 | 4+2 | 4+3 | 3+1 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 3+3 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 66+9 |
| Cedar Crest | | | | | | | | | Y | | | | 1 |
| Eastern | | | | Y | | | | | | | | | 1 |
| Gallaudet | | | | | | | | | Y | | | | 1 |
| Holy Family | | | | Y | | | | | | | | | 1 |
| Manhattanville | | | Y | | | | | | | | | | 1 |
| NJCU | | | | | Y | | | | | | | | 1 |
| Penn State Schuylkill | | | | Y | | | | | | | | | 1 |
| St. Mary's | | | Y | | | | | | Y | | | | 2 |

#### Notes

* ↑ Pratt's equestrian program is governed by the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association.
* ↑ The NCAA has recommended flag football for addition to its Emerging Sports for Women program. All three divisions are set to vote on this proposal prior to the 2025–26 school year.
* ↑ Marymount University is also an affiliate member of the Centennial Conference in women's golf.
* ↑ Marywood will add flag football in the spring 2026 season.
* ↑ 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 | Rowing | Rugby | Track & field (indoor) |
| Centenary | IHSA | N | N | N |
| Gwynedd Mercy | N | N | N | ECAC |
| Marywood | N | N | MARC | ECAC |
| Neumann | N | N | N | ECAC |
| Pratt | IHSA | 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.