Stonehill College is reclassifying from Division II to Division I and has accepted an invitation to join the Northeast Conference starting in 2022-23, the school announced Tuesday.
All 23 sports are making the move, including women’s lacrosse. The Skyhawks, a charter member of the Northeast-10 Conference, won NCAA championships in 2003 and 2005 and last qualified for the NCAA tournament in 2015. They’re currently 7-2 and ranked No. 16 in the Nike/USA Lacrosse Division II Women’s Top 20.
“As the college approaches its 75th anniversary, this move to the Northeast Conference and NCAA Division I athletics signals that Stonehill is prepared to achieve its fullest potential — both athletically and academically in the years to come,” Stonehill president John Denning said in the announcement.
“Stonehill’s move to Division I and membership in the Northeast Conference is a transformational moment in our history,” athletic director Dean O’Keefe added. “We are thrilled our student-athletes will have the opportunity to compete at the highest level of collegiate athletics.”
Stonehill joins Lindenwood as lacrosse-playing Division II institutions reclassifying to Division I next year, factoring in widespread conference realignment in college sports.