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Skyhawks are fully eligible for NEC Championship competition starting with the 2023-24 academic year
Full NEC Spring Meetings Recap
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. (June 15, 2023) - The Northeast Conference announced that its Presidents' Council unanimously voted to eliminate access restrictions to NEC championships during an institution's transition to DI at its recent Spring meetings.
"The NEC Spring Meetings with our Presidents and administrators exemplified the collective unity and vibrant exchange of ideas this group is known for," said NEC Commissioner Noreen Morris. "It was a pleasure to come together, celebrate our accomplishments and extend a warm welcome to our newest member, Le Moyne College. These meetings provided us with a valuable opportunity to build new relationships, strengthen existing ones and collectively envision a bright future for the NEC. Our discussions were characterized by visionary thinking, strategic planning and a shared commitment to growing the conference together. We remained steadfast in our mission to increase brand awareness, amplify the student-athlete voice and enhance the student-athlete experience, and create an inclusive environment where all can thrive. Together, we will continue to make significant strides in shaping the NEC in the realms of athletics success, academic excellence and community engagement."
Reclassifying Schools Championship Eligibility
After careful consideration and in response to feedback from the membership, the NEC Presidents' Council unanimously voted to eliminate access restrictions to NEC championships during an institution's transition to DI. As a result, current reclassifying institutions Le Moyne and Stonehill will be immediately eligible to compete in the NEC postseason starting in the 2023-24 academic year. This important decision aims to improve the student-athlete experience and bolster recruitment and retention efforts. By taking this proactive approach, the NEC is committed to prioritizing the mental health, welfare and opportunities of its student-athletes throughout the conference.
If a reclassifying institution wins the NEC Tournament championship, the tournament runner-up will advance to the NCAA Tournament as the NEC's automatic qualifier as per current policy. In instances where two reclassifying members reach an NEC final in men's and women's basketball, women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer and women's volleyball, the NEC will stage an "AQ Qualifier" game between the two non-advancing semifinal teams. This will serve as a decisive game to determine the team that will secure the NEC's spot in the NCAA Tournament. The NEC Sport Management Committee (SMC) will collectively determine the specific details of each game, taking into account the unique requirements of each sport.
"The Northeast Conference always puts its student-athletes first, and we are very appreciative that our teams will have the opportunity to participate in the NEC Championships," said Dean O'Keefe, Assistant Vice President/Director of Athletics. "Competing for a championship is an incredibly exciting part of the student-athlete experience, and we are eager to cheer on our Skyhawks in NEC Championships starting this fall."
Stonehill offers 23 varsity intercollegiate athletic programs competing at the NCAA Division I level as members of the Northeast Conference, New England Women's Hockey Alliance and Intercollegiate Horse Show Association. The Skyhawks are entering their second year of a four-year transition period to full Division I status.
For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Fans can also download the Stonehill Skyhawks "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market.
About the Northeast Conference
Now in its 42nd 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), Boston (#9) and Hartford/New Haven (#33). Founded in 1981 as the basketball-only ECAC Metro Conference, the NEC has grown to sponsor 24 championship sports for men and women and now enjoys automatic access to 15 different NCAA Championships. NEC member institutions include Central Connecticut, Fairleigh Dickinson, Le Moyne, LIU, Merrimack, Sacred Heart, St. Francis Brooklyn, Saint Francis U, Stonehill and Wagner.
