SafekipediaNortheast Conference
Adapted from Wikipedia · Discoverer experience
The NEC (formerly the Northeast Conference) is a group of college teams that play together in sports. These teams are part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, which is a big organization that helps colleges organize sports. All sports in the NEC are played at the top level, called Division I, except for football, which is played in a special group called the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
The schools in the NEC are mostly located in the Northeastern United States. This is why the conference is called the NEC — it gets its name from this area. These schools come together to compete in many different sports, making the NEC an important part of college athletics in that part of the country.
History
The Northeast Conference started in 1981 as the ECAC Metro Conference. It had eleven schools at first, such as Fairleigh Dickinson University, Long Island University, and Wagner College.
In 1988, the conference changed its name to the Northeast Conference. Since then, the conference has added and lost several schools over the years.
Today, the Northeast Conference has 10 full members and offers 24 different sports for students to compete in. These sports include baseball, basketball, football, soccer, and more. The conference continues to change with new schools joining and others leaving, keeping things interesting for everyone involved.
Member schools
The Northeast Conference has many schools where athletes compete in different sports. These schools are mostly in the northeastern part of the United States. Some schools join for all sports, while others join just for certain sports like football.
The conference has teams that compete in many activities, and some schools will start joining in the future for specific sports. The timeline shows how schools have changed their membership over time.
Sports
The NEC currently offers competitions in 11 sports for men and 13 sports for women that are approved by the NCAA. Twelve schools join the NEC as members for 14 of these sports.
Recently, men's lacrosse was brought back for the 2024–25 season after being stopped in 2022. At the same time, men's volleyball was added as a new sport.
See also: Northeast Conference Baseball Tournament
See also: Northeast Conference Men's Soccer Tournament
See also: Northeast Conference men's basketball tournament
Notes
Men's sponsored sports by school
Notes
Men's varsity sports not sponsored by the Northeast Conference which are played by NEC schools:
Notes
Women's sponsored sports by school
Notes
Women's varsity sports not sponsored by the Northeast Conference which are played by NEC schools:
In addition to the above, Fairleigh Dickinson counts their female cheerleaders (but not male cheerleaders) as varsity athletes.
Notes
| Sport | Men's | Women's |
|---|---|---|
| Baseball | 11 | – |
| Basketball | 9 | 9 |
| Bowling | – | 8 |
| Cross country | 9 | 9 |
| Field hockey | – | 9 |
| Football | 8 | – |
| Golf | 11 | 12 |
| Lacrosse | 8 | 10 |
| Soccer | 9 | 11 |
| Softball | – | 8 |
| Swimming & Diving | 4 | 7 |
| Tennis | 9 | 9 |
| Track and Field (Indoor) | 8 | 8 |
| Track and Field (Outdoor) | 8 | 8 |
| Volleyball | 7 | 8 |
| School | Baseball | Basketball | Cross Country | Football | Golf | Lacrosse | Soccer | Swimming & Diving | Tennis | Track & Field (Indoor) | Track & Field (Outdoor) | Volleyball | Total NEC Sports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Connecticut | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | 7 |
| Chicago State | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 7 |
| Fairleigh Dickinson | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9 |
| Le Moyne | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 10 |
| LIU | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 12 |
| Mercyhurst | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | 8 |
| New Haven | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | 8 |
| Saint Francis | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9 |
| Stonehill | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 8 |
| Wagner | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 10 |
| Totals | 7+4 | 9 | 9 | 6+2 | 7+4 | 4+4 | 8+1 | 3+1 | 8+1 | 8 | 8 | 3+4 | 77+21 |
| School | Fencing | Ice Hockey | Water Polo | Wrestling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LIU | IND | Independent | — | EIWA |
| Mercyhurst | — | AHA | CWPA | IND |
| Stonehill | – | Independent | – | – |
| Wagner | IND | — | CWPA | — |
| School | Basketball | Bowling | Cross Country | Field Hockey | Golf | Lacrosse | Soccer | Softball | Swimming & Diving | Tennis | Track & Field (Indoor) | Track & Field (Outdoor) | Volleyball | Total NEC Sports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Connecticut | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9 |
| Chicago State | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8 |
| Fairleigh Dickinson | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 11 |
| Le Moyne | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 11 |
| LIU | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 13 |
| Mercyhurst | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | 10 |
| New Haven | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 11 |
| Saint Francis | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 12 |
| Stonehill | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 12 |
| Wagner | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 12 |
| Totals | 9 | 5+3 | 9 | 5+4 | 8+4 | 8+2 | 9+2 | 8 | 6+1 | 9+1 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 98+17 |
| School | Acrobatics & Tumbling | Equestrian | Fencing | Gymnastics | Ice Hockey | Rowing | Rugby | Stunt | Triathlon | Water Polo | Wrestling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago State | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | IND | — | — |
| Fairleigh Dickinson | — | — | NIWFA | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| LIU | IND | — | IND | EAGL | NEWHA | MAAC | — | — | — | MAAC | — |
| Mercyhurst | — | — | — | — | AHA | IND | — | IND | — | CWPA | |
| New Haven | — | — | - | — | — | — | IND | — | — | — | — |
| Saint Francis | — | — | - | — | — | — | — | — | — | CWPA | — |
| Stonehill | — | IND | — | — | NEWHA | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Wagner | — | — | NIWFA | — | — | — | — | — | IND | MAAC | — |
Basketball champions
See also: List of Northeast Conference men's basketball regular season champions
See also: Northeast Conference men's basketball tournament
See also: Northeast Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year
See also: Northeast Conference Men's Basketball Coach of the Year
See also: Northeast Conference women's basketball tournament
See also: Northeast Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Year
See also: Northeast Conference Women's Basketball Coach of the Year
| Season | Regular season champion | Tournament champion |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Fairleigh Dickinson (12–3) | Robert Morris |
| 1983 | Robert Morris (12–2) | Robert Morris |
| 1984 | Long Island (11–5) | Long Island |
| 1985 | Marist (11–3) | Fairleigh Dickinson |
| 1986 | Fairleigh Dickinson (13–3) | Marist |
| 1987 | Marist (15–1) | Marist |
| 1988 | Fairleigh Dickinson (13–3) | Fairleigh Dickinson |
| 1989 | Robert Morris (12–4) | Robert Morris |
| 1990 | Robert Morris (12–4) | Robert Morris |
| 1991 | Saint Francis (PA) (13–3) | Saint Francis (PA) |
| 1992 | Robert Morris (12–4) | Robert Morris |
| 1993 | Rider (14–4) | Rider |
| 1994 | Rider (14–4) | Rider |
| 1995 | Rider (13–5) | Mount Saint Mary's |
| 1996 | Mount Saint Mary's (16–2) | Monmouth |
| 1997 | Long Island (15–3) | Long Island |
| 1998 | Long Island (14–2) | Fairleigh Dickinson |
| 1999 | UMBC (17–3) | Mount Saint Mary's |
| 2000 | Central Connecticut St. (15–3) | Central Connecticut St. |
| 2001 | St. Francis (NY) (16–4) | Monmouth |
| 2002 | Central Connecticut St. (19–1) | Central Connecticut St. |
| 2003 | Wagner (14–4) | Wagner |
| 2004 | Monmouth† and St. Francis (NY) (12–6) | Monmouth |
| 2005 | Monmouth (14–4) | Fairleigh Dickinson |
| 2006 | Fairleigh Dickinson (14–4) | Monmouth |
| 2007 | Central Connecticut St. (16–2) | Central Connecticut St. |
| 2008 | Robert Morris (16–2) | Mount Saint Mary's |
| 2009 | Robert Morris (15–3) | Robert Morris |
| 2010 | Quinnipiac (15–3) | Robert Morris |
| 2011 | Long Island (16–2) | Long Island |
| 2012 | Long Island (16–2) | Long Island |
| 2013 | Robert Morris (14–4) | Long Island |
| 2014 | Robert Morris (14–2) | Mount Saint Mary's |
| 2015 | St. Francis Brooklyn (15–3) | Robert Morris |
| 2016 | Wagner (13–5) | Fairleigh Dickinson |
| 2017 | Mount Saint Mary's (14–4) | Mount Saint Mary's |
| 2018 | Wagner (14–4) | LIU Brooklyn |
| 2019 | Saint Francis (PA)† and Fairleigh Dickinson (12–6) | Fairleigh Dickinson |
| 2020 | Merrimack (14–4) | Robert Morris |
| 2021 | Wagner (13–5) | Mount St. Mary's |
| 2022 | Bryant (16–2) | Bryant |
| 2023 | Merrimack (12–4) | Merrimack |
| 2024 | Central Connecticut St.† and Merrimack (13–3) | Wagner |
| 2025 | Central Connecticut St. (14–2) | Saint Francis |
| 2026 | LIU (15–3) | LIU |
| Year | Regular season champions | Tournament champions |
|---|---|---|
| 1986-87 | Monmouth | Monmouth |
| 1987-88 | Monmouth | Robert Morris |
| 1988-89 | Wagner | Wagner |
| 1989-90 | Mount St. Mary's | Fairleigh Dickinson |
| 1990-91 | Mount St. Mary's | Robert Morris |
| 1991-92 | Mount St. Mary's | Fairleigh Dickinson |
| 1992-93 | Fairleigh Dickinson/Mount St. Mary's | Mount St. Mary's |
| 1993-94 | Mount St. Mary's | Mount St. Mary's |
| 1994-95 | Mount St. Mary's | Mount St. Mary's |
| 1995-96 | Mount St. Mary's | Saint Francis (PA) |
| 1996-97 | Saint Francis (PA) | Saint Francis (PA) |
| 1997-98 | Saint Francis (PA) | Saint Francis (PA) |
| 1998-99 | Mount St. Mary's | Saint Francis (PA) |
| 1999-00 | Saint Francis (PA) | Saint Francis (PA) |
| 2000-01 | Mount St. Mary's | Long Island |
| 2001-02 | Saint Francis (PA) | Saint Francis (PA) |
| 2002-03 | Saint Francis (PA) | Saint Francis (PA) |
| 2003-04 | Saint Francis (PA) | Saint Francis (PA) |
| 2004-05 | Saint Francis (PA) | Saint Francis (PA) |
| 2005-06 | Sacred Heart | Sacred Heart |
| 2006-07 | Long Island, Robert Morris and Sacred Heart | Robert Morris |
| 2007-08 | Quinnipiac and Robert Morris | Robert Morris |
| 2008-09 | Sacred Heart | Sacred Heart |
| 2009-10 | Robert Morris | Saint Francis (PA) |
| 2010-11 | Saint Francis (PA) | Saint Francis (PA) |
| 2011-12 | Sacred Heart | Sacred Heart |
| 2012-13 | Quinnipiac | Quinnipiac |
| 2013-14 | Robert Morris | Robert Morris |
| 2014-15 | Bryant/Central Connecticut | St. Francis Brooklyn |
| 2015-16 | Sacred Heart | Robert Morris |
| 2016-17 | Robert Morris | Robert Morris |
| 2017-18 | Saint Francis (PA) | Saint Francis (PA) |
| 2018–19 | Robert Morris | Robert Morris |
| 2019–20 | Robert Morris | None; tournament canceled in progress due to COVID-19 |
| 2020–21 | Mount St. Mary's | Mount St. Mary's |
| 2021–22 | Fairleigh Dickinson | Mount St. Mary's |
| 2022–23 | Fairleigh Dickinson | Sacred Heart |
| 2023–24 | Sacred Heart | Sacred Heart |
| 2024–25 | Fairleigh Dickinson | Fairleigh Dickinson |
Football champions
The Northeast Conference has had many teams win football championships over the years. Some teams have won more often than others.
Here are the teams that have won the most championships:
Baseball champions
The NEC has held a tournament for baseball since 1993.
See also: Northeast Conference baseball tournament
| Season | Regular season champion | Season | Tournament champion |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Fairleigh Dickinson | ||
| 1988 | Fairleigh Dickinson | ||
| 1989 | Monmouth | ||
| 1990 | Long Island Brooklyn | ||
| 1991 | Monmouth | ||
| 1992 | St. Francis (NY) | ||
| 1993 | Fairleigh Dickinson | 1993 | St. Francis (NY) |
| 1994 | Rider/Fairleigh Dickinson | 1994 | Rider |
| 1995 | Rider | 1995 | Rider |
| 1996 | Monmouth/Rider | 1996 | Rider |
| 1997 | Marist | 1997 | Marist |
| 1998 | St. Francis (NY)/Monmouth | 1998 | Monmouth |
| 1999 | FDU (North Division) Monmouth (South Division) | 1999 | Monmouth |
| 2000 | Long Island Brooklyn (North Division) UMBC (South Division) | 2000 | Wagner |
| 2001 | CCSU/St. Francis (NY) (North Division) Monmouth/UMBC (South Division) | 2001 | UMBC |
| 2002 | Monmouth | 2002 | Central Connecticut State |
| 2003 | Central Connecticut State | 2003 | Central Connecticut State |
| 2004 | Central Connecticut State | 2004 | Central Connecticut State |
| 2005 | Quinnipiac | 2005 | Quinnipiac |
| 2006 | Central Connecticut State | 2006 | Sacred Heart |
| 2007 | Quinnipiac/Mt. St. Mary's | 2007 | Monmouth |
| 2008 | Monmouth | 2008 | Mount St. Mary's |
| 2009 | Wagner | 2009 | Monmouth |
| 2010 | Bryant | 2010 | Central Connecticut State |
| 2011 | Monmouth | 2011 | Sacred Heart |
| 2012 | Bryant | 2012 | Sacred Heart |
| 2013 | Bryant | 2013 | Bryant |
| 2014 | Bryant | 2014 | Bryant |
| 2015 | Bryant | 2015 | Sacred Heart |
| 2016 | Bryant | 2016 | Bryant |
| 2017 | Bryant | 2017 | Central Connecticut State |
| 2018 | Bryant | 2018 | LIU Brooklyn |
| 2019 | Bryant | 2019 | Central Connecticut State |
| 2021 | Bryant | 2021 | Central Connecticut State |
| 2022 | Long Island | 2022 | Long Island |
| 2023 | Central Connecticut State | 2023 | Central Connecticut State |
| 2024 | Sacred Heart | 2024 | Long Island |
| 2025 | Long Island | 2025 | Central Connecticut State |
NEC rivalries
Before 2013, the NEC had six special games called rivalries, especially during "Rivalry Week" for men's and women's basketball. These games were unique because teams played back-to-back games against nearby rivals in the same week, something no other NCAA Division I conference did.
Some of these rivalries continued even after teams left the NEC, but they are now non-conference games. One rivalry ended when a school stopped its athletics program.
Brenda Weare Commissioner's Cup
The NEC Commissioner's Cup started in the 1986–87 season, with Long Island being the first team to win it. Points for the Cup are given in each sport that the NEC sponsors. For sports like basketball, soccer, volleyball, football, bowling, softball, lacrosse, and baseball, the final regular season standings decide the points. Since the 2012–13 season, the NEC Tournament winner in these sports gets three extra points. In all other sports, points are given based on how well teams do in the NEC Championship events.
| Year | Overall | Men's | Women's |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | LIU | LIU | Saint Francis (PA) |
| 2023–24 | Sacred Heart | Merrimack | Sacred Heart |
| 2022-23 | Sacred Heart | Merrimack | Sacred Heart |
| 2021-22 | LIU | LIU | LIU |
| 2020-21 | LIU | Bryant | LIU |
| 2019-20 | Not Awarded | Not Awarded | Not Awarded |
| 2018-19 | Sacred Heart | Bryant | Sacred Heart |
| 2017-18 | Saint Francis (PA) | Bryant | Saint Francis (PA) |
| 2016-17 | Sacred Heart | Bryant | Sacred Heart |
| 2015-16 | Sacred Heart | Bryant | Sacred Heart |
| 2014-15 | Bryant | Bryant | Sacred Heart |
| 2013-14 | Bryant | Bryant | Saint Francis (PA) |
| 2012-13 | Monmouth | Monmouth | Saint Francis (PA) |
| 2011-12 | Sacred Heart | Monmouth | Sacred Heart |
| 2010-11 | Sacred Heart | Sacred Heart | Sacred Heart |
| 2009-10 | Sacred Heart | Monmouth | Sacred Heart |
| 2008-09 | Sacred Heart | Sacred Heart | Sacred Heart |
| 2007-08 | Sacred Heart | Monmouth | Sacred Heart |
| 2006-07 | Monmouth | Monmouth | Sacred Heart |
| 2005-06 | Monmouth | Monmouth | Long Island |
| 2004-05 | Monmouth | Monmouth | Saint Francis (PA) |
| 2003-04 | Monmouth | Monmouth | Sacred Heart |
| 2002-03 | UMBC | Monmouth | UMBC |
| 2001-02 | UMBC | Monmouth | UMBC |
| 2000-01 | UMBC | UMBC | UMBC |
| 1999-2000 | UMBC | UMBC | UMBC |
| 1998-99 | UMBC | Monmouth | UMBC |
| 1997-98 | Monmouth | ||
| 1996-97 | Mount St. Mary's | ||
| 1995-96 | Mount St. Mary's | ||
| 1994-95 | Mount St. Mary's | ||
| 1993-94 | Fairleigh Dickinson | ||
| 1992-93 | Fairleigh Dickinson | ||
| 1991-92 | Fairleigh Dickinson | ||
| 1990-91 | Monmouth | ||
| 1989-90 | Fairleigh Dickinson | ||
| 1988-89 | Fairleigh Dickinson | ||
| 1987-88 | Fairleigh Dickinson | ||
| 1986-87 | Long Island |
Facilities
The Northeast Conference has several important places where athletes train and play. These facilities help teams practice and compete in their sports.
| Baseball affiliates | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| School | Stadium | Capacity | ||
| Coppin State | Joe Cannon Stadium | 1,500 | ||
| Delaware State | Soldier Field | 500 | ||
| Maryland Eastern Shore | Hawk Stadium | 1,000 | ||
| Norfolk State | Marty L. Miller Field | 1,500 | ||
Streaming platform
The NEC started a streaming service called NEC Front Row in 2012. This service lets you watch most NEC team events live or whenever you want, for free. You can also find highlights and shows with coaches. You can watch NEC Front Row on a computer at necfrontrow.com or use the NEC On the Run app on phones and smart TVs.
Related articles
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