Le Moyne Jumping to Division I, Will Join Northeast Conference

Le Moyne College has accepted an invitation to become a member of the Northeast Conference (NEC) starting in fall 2023, a decision that follows a comprehensive study and discernment process involving all key campus constituencies.

In joining with the eight other institutions who are NEC members, Le Moyne’s 21 NCAA teams will move from Division II to Division I, allowing them to showcase its athletics programs in some of the nation’s largest markets while competing at the highest level of collegiate athletics.

Le Moyne’s men’s lacrosse team is ranked No. 1 nationally and is a favorite for the NCAA championship. The women’s team is ranked No. 6 nationally and is in the 16-team NCAA tournament field. The Northeast Conference no longer exists in men’s lacrosse, so Le Moyne will seek other opportunities.

“The move to Division I and the Northeast Conference is a milestone event for Le Moyne College,” Le Moyne president Linda LeMura said. “Since the college’s founding in 1946, athletics has been a vital component of our Jesuit ideal of cura personalis — care for the mind, body and soul. By making this move, we are building on a strong foundation of excellence that has been a hallmark of our student-athletes and our programs.”

“On behalf of the Northeast Conference Council of Presidents, we are thrilled to welcome Le Moyne College to the NEC family,” NEC commissioner Noreen Morris said. “During our membership evaluation process, it became abundantly clear there was tremendous mission alignment between the NEC and Le Moyne from an academic, athletic and community perspective. I would like to thank President Linda LeMura, Board Chair Pete DiLaura and Athletic Director Bob Beretta for their leadership through this process. Due to their significant planning and preparation, it’s evident the Dolphins are poised to make the jump to Division I. We look forward to kicking off our relationship this fall.”

For the rest of the 2022-23 season, Le Moyne will continue as a member of the Northeast-10 Conference, remaining eligible for NCAA Division II championships. Effective July 1, 2023, Le Moyne will formally begin its reclassification process to become a Division I institution. As of fall 2023, student-athletes will begin competition in the Northeast Conference. Beginning in 2025-26, all Le Moyne athletic programs will be eligible to compete in the NEC postseason, but will remain ineligible for NCAA competition until the 2027-28 academic year. The four-year NCAA Division I reclassification period allows new Division I members sufficient time to strengthen their program support of each team.

“Reclassifying our intercollegiate athletics program to Division I and accepting membership in the Northeast Conference is a transformational moment in the history of Le Moyne College,” said Le Moyne Athletic Director Bob Beretta. “We are thrilled that our student-athletes will receive the opportunity to compete at the highest level of collegiate athletics and have a chance to showcase their talents on the greatest stage. Our student-athletes have authored a rich history on ‘the Heights’ filled with academic and athletic excellence. We are looking forward to building on that incredible legacy as we enter an exciting and bold new chapter in our athletics history.”

Accepting the invitation to join the NEC is the culmination of a 15-month-long process at Le Moyne, which included hiring an outside consultant to conduct a feasibility study. In June 2022, an ad hoc committee comprised of members of the College’s leadership team, faculty and trustees was formed. The committee met regularly, conferring with the College’s faculty senate, alumni, members of the Jesuit community, student-athletes and their parents, and community leaders. The process also included consultation with presidents who have moved from Division II to Division I athletics, as well as others who provided insight into the changing landscape of intercollegiate athletics, the financial implications of competing in other conferences, and the relative risk of staying in Division II.

Upon conclusion of their work, the committee voted to support a reclassification to Division I, followed by a vote by Le Moyne’s Board of Trustees in favor of the move.

“In both the short- and long-term, the College’s decision to make this move will benefit Le Moyne in a number of ways,” said Pete DiLaura ’78, chair of Le Moyne Board of Trustees. “One of the initial benefits will be the increased awareness for Le Moyne that will come from competing against institutions located in new, larger markets.”

Le Moyne becomes the third full-time addition to the NEC in the last five years, with Merrimack College and Stonehill College admitted in 2018 and 2022, respectively. NEC member institutions include Central Connecticut, Fairleigh Dickinson, Long Island University, Merrimack, Sacred Heart, Saint Francis University, Stonehill and Wagner.

Le Moyne had twice previously looked at transitioning to Division I since 2008, but both times elected to stay in Division II.

The Dolphins’ women’s lacrosse team competed in the MAAC from 2002-07 and as a Division I independent before reclassifying with the rest of Le Moyne’s teams to Division II in 2011. They won their first NCAA championship in 2018.

On the men’s side, Le Moyne has built a Division II dynasty, winning six NCAA championships in 10 trips to the national final since 2004.

Le Moyne is the sixth lacrosse-playing Division II school to transition to Division I in the last three years, joining Lindenwood (2023), Queens (N.C.) (2023), Stonehill (2023) LIU (2020) and Merrimack (2020).