Great Northeast Athletic Conference

NCAA Division III sports league in the Northeast United States

Great Northeast Athletic Conference

Association| NCAA
Founded| 1995; 30 years ago (1995)
Commissioner| Joe Walsh (since 2005)
Sports fielded|

* 22
* men's: 11
* women's: 11

Division| Division III
No. of teams| 14
Headquarters| Winthrop, Massachusetts
Region| New England
Official website| thegnac.com
Locations

The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an intercollegiate athletic conference which competes in the Division III ranks of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

## History

[edit]

Great Northeast Athletic Conference

50km
31miles

Dean

New England College

Mitchell

Albertus Magnus

Saint Joseph (CT)

Colby-Sawyer

Rivier

Elms

Norwich

Saint Joseph's (ME)

Simmons

Emmanuel

Regis

Lasell

Locations of GNAC members, 2025–2026  full

### Recent changes

[edit]

On August 24, 2021, the University of New England joined the GNAC as an associate member for women's swimming & diving, beginning the 2021–22 academic year.[1]

On June 16, 2022, New England (Me.) left the GNAC as an associate member for women's swimming & diving after the 2021–22 academic year, to join the Little East Conference (LEC) as an affiliate member for that sport.[2]

On September 28, 2022, Mitchell College and New England College joined the GNAC, beginning the 2023–24 academic year.[3]

### Chronological timeline

[edit]

* 1995 – In 1995, the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) was founded. Charter members included the following: On men's sports and women's sports, Albertus Magnus College, Daniel Webster College, Emerson College, Endicott College, Johnson & Wales University, Rhode Island Campus and Rivier College (now Rivier University); on women's sports only, Emmanuel College, Pine Manor College, the University of Saint Joseph, Simmons College (now Simmons University) and Suffolk University, all beginning the 1995–96 academic year.
* 1998:
* Norwich University, Southern Vermont College and Western New England College (now Western New England University) joined the GNAC in the 1998–99 academic year.
* Suffolk added men's sports in its athletic program to join the GNAC in the 1998–99 academic year.
* 1999 – Endicott left the GNAC to join the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) after the 1998–99 academic year.
* 2001 – Emmanuel (Mass.) added men's sports in its athletic program to join the GNAC in the 2001–02 academic year.
* 2004 – Elms College, Husson College (now Husson University) and Wheelock College joined the GNAC as associate members for women's swimming & diving in the 2004–05 academic year.
* 2006 – Rhode Island College, the University of Southern Maine and the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth (a.k.a. Massachusetts–Dartmouth or UMass Dartmouth) joined the GNAC as associate members for men's golf in the 2007 spring season (2006–07 academic year).
* 2007:
* Western New England left the GNAC to join the CCC after the 2006–07 academic year.
* Lasell College (now Lasell University) and Mount Ida College and Saint Joseph's College of Maine joined the GNAC in the 2007–08 academic year.
* 2008 – Daniel Webster and Southern Vermont left the GNAC to join the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) after the 2007–08 academic year.
* 2009 – Wheelock left the GNAC as an associate member for women's swimming & diving after the 2008–09 academic year.
* 2011:
* Anna Maria College joined the GNAC in the 2011–12 academic year.
* Three institutions joined the GNAC as associate members (and/or added other single sports into their associate memberships), all effective in the 2011–12 academic year:
* Elms for men's swimming & diving
* Regis College of Massachusetts for men's and women's swimming & diving
* and Wentworth Institute of Technology (a.k.a. Wentworth Tech) for men's volleyball
* 2012:
* Pine Manor left the GNAC to join the Great South Athletic Conference (GSAC) after the 2011–12 academic year.
* Worcester State University joined the GNAC as an associate member for men's golf in the 2013 spring season (2012–13 academic year).
* 2013:
* Emerson left the GNAC to join the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) after the 2012–13 academic year; while it remained in the conference as an associate member for men's volleyball since the 2014 spring season (2013–14 academic year).
* Husson added men's swimming & diving into its GNAC associate membership in the 2013–14 academic year.
* 2017:
* Colby–Sawyer College joined the GNAC as an associate member for men's and women's swimming & diving in the 2017–18 academic year.
* Regis (Mass.) had upgraded as a full member of the GNAC for all sports in the 2017–18 academic year.
* 2018:
* Mount Ida left the GNAC after the 2017–18 academic year; as the school ceased operations.
* Colby–Sawyer had upgraded as a full member of the GNAC for all sports in the 2018–19 academic year.
* Saint Joseph (Conn.) added men's sports in its athletic program to join the GNAC in the 2018–19 academic year.
* Eastern Nazarene College joined the GNAC as an associate member for men's tennis in the 2019 spring season (2018–19 academic year).
* 2019:
* Worcester State left the GNAC as an associate member for men's golf after the 2019 spring season (2018–19 academic year).
* Lesley University joined the GNAC as an associate member for men's tennis in the 2020 spring season (2019–20 academic year).
* 2020:
* Five institutions left the GNAC as associate members, all effective after the 2019–20 academic year:
* Lesley for men's tennis
* Husson for men's and women's swimming & diving
* and Rhode Island College, Southern Maine and UMass Dartmouth for men's golf
* Dean College joined the GNAC in the 2020–21 academic year.
* 2021 – Elms had upgraded as a full member of the GNAC for all sports in the 2021–22 academic year.
* 2021 – The University of New England joined the GNAC as an associate member for women's swimming & diving in the 2021–22 academic year.
* 2022 – New England (Me.) left the GNAC as an associate member for women's swimming & diving to join the Little East Conference (LEC) for that sport after the 2021–22 academic year.
* 2023 – Mitchell College and New England College joined the GNAC in the 2023–24 academic year.
* 2024 – Eastern Nazarene left the GNAC as an associate member for men's tennis after the 2024 spring season (2023–24 academic year).
* 2025 – Two institutions left the GNAC to join their respective new home primary conferences, both effective beginning the 2025–26 academic year:
* Anna Maria to join the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC)
* and Johnson & Wales (R.I.) to join the Conference of New England (CNE; formerly the Commonwealth Coast Conference or CCC)

## Member schools

[edit]

### Current members

[edit]

The GNAC currently has fourteen full members, all are private schools:

Institution  | Location  | Founded  | Affiliation  | Enrollment  | Nickname  | Joined[a]

|
|
|
|
|
|

Albertus Magnus College | New Haven, Connecticut | 1925  | Catholic
(D.S.P.) | 1,961  | Falcons | 1995
Colby–Sawyer College | New London, New Hampshire | 1837  | Nonsectarian  | 2,262  | Chargers | 2018
Dean College | Franklin, Massachusetts | 1865  | Nonsectarian  | 1,055  | Bulldogs | 2020
Elms College[b] | Chicopee, Massachusetts | 1928  | Catholic
(S.S.J.) | 1,713  | Blazers | 2021[c]
Emmanuel College[b] | Boston, Massachusetts | 1919  | Catholic
(SNDdeN) | 1,850  | Saints | 1995
Lasell University[b] | Newton, Massachusetts | 1851  | Nonsectarian  | 2,200  | Lasers | 2007
Mitchell College | New London, Connecticut | 1938  | Nonsectarian  | 572  | Mariners | 2023
New England College | Henniker, New Hampshire | 1946  | Nonsectarian  | 4,327  | Pilgrims | 2023
Norwich University | Northfield, Vermont | 1819  | Private | 2,300  | Cadets | 1998
Regis College[b] | Weston, Massachusetts | 1927  | Catholic
(S.S.J.) | 2,748  | Pride | 2017
Rivier University | Nashua, New Hampshire | 1933  | Catholic
(S.P.M.) | 2,520  | Raiders | 1995
University of Saint Joseph[b] | West Hartford, Connecticut | 1932  | Catholic
(R.S.M.) | 2,467  | Blue Jays | 1995
Saint Joseph's College of Maine | Standish, Maine | 1912  | Catholic
(R.S.M.) | 1,987  | Monks | 2007
Simmons University[d][e] | Boston, Massachusetts | 1899  | Nonsectarian  | 1,900  | Sharks | 1995

Notes

1. ^ Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
2. ^ a b c d e This institution is a former women's college, which has eventually turned into a co-educational college (Lasell since 1997–98, Elms since 1998–99, Emmanuel (Mass.) since 2001–02, Regis (Mass.) since 2007–08 and Saint Joseph (Conn.) since 2018–19).
3. ^ Before joining for full membership, Elms competed in the GNAC as an associate member for swimming & diving from 2008–09 to 2020–21.[4]
4. ^ This institution is a women's college, therefore it does not compete in men's sports.
5. ^ Non-basketball member; therefore Simmons had sponsored women's basketball until after at least the 2018–19 school year.

### Associate members

[edit]

The GNAC currently has two associate members, both are private schools:

Institution  | Location  | Founded  | Affiliation  | Enrollment  | Nickname  | Joined[a] | GNAC
sport(s)  | Primary
conference

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Emerson College[b] | Boston, Massachusetts | 1880  | Nonsectarian  | 4,290  | Lions | 2013  | Men's volleyball  | New England (NEWMAC)
Wentworth Institute of Technology | Boston, Massachusetts | 1904  | Nonsectarian  | 4,576  | Leopards | 2011  | Men's volleyball  | C. New England (CNE)

Notes

1. ^ Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
2. ^ Emerson was a full member of the GNAC from 1995–96 to 2012–13.

### Former members

[edit]

The GNAC had ten former full members, all were private schools:

Institution  | Location  | Founded  | Affiliation  | Enrollment  | Nickname  | Joined[a] | Left[b] | Current
conference

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Anna Maria College | Paxton, Massachusetts | 1946  | Catholic
(S.S.A.) | 1,500  | Amcats | 2011  | 2025  | Massachusetts (MASCAC)
Daniel Webster College | Nashua, New Hampshire | 1965  | For-profit | N/A  | Eagles | 1995  | 2008  | Closed in 2017
Endicott College | Beverly, Massachusetts | 1939  | Nonsectarian  | 4,528  | Gulls | 1995  | 1999  | C. New England (CNE)
Emerson College[c] | Boston, Massachusetts | 1880  | Nonsectarian  | 4,290  | Lions | 1995  | 2013  | New England (NEWMAC)
Johnson & Wales University | Providence, Rhode Island | 1914  | Nonsectarian  | 8,564  | Wildcats | 1995  | 2025  | C. New England (CNE)
Mount Ida College | Newton, Massachusetts | 1899  | Nonsectarian  | N/A  | Mustangs | 2007  | 2018  | Closed in 2018
Pine Manor College[d] | Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts | 1911  | Nonsectarian  | N/A  | Gators | 1995  | 2012  | N/A[e]
Southern Vermont College | Bennington, Vermont | 1929  | Nonsectarian  | N/A  | Mountaineers | 1998  | 2008  | Closed in 2019
Suffolk University | Boston, Massachusetts | 1906  | Nonsectarian  | 6,832  | Rams | 1995  | 2020  | C. New England (CNE)
Western New England University | Springfield, Massachusetts | 1919  | Nonsectarian  | 3,702  | Golden Bears | 1998  | 2007  | C. New England (CNE)

Notes

1. ^ Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
2. ^ Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition ends.
3. ^ Emerson remains in the GNAC as an associate member for men's volleyball.
4. ^ This institution is a former women's college, which has eventually turned into a co-educational college (Pine Manor from 2014–15).
5. ^ Pine Manor was acquired by Boston College in 2021.

### Former associate members

[edit]

The GNAC had 11 former associate members, 6 were private schools while 5 were public schools:

Institution  | Location  | Founded  | Affiliation  | Enrollment  | Nickname  | Joined[a] | Left[b] | GNAC
sport(s)  | Primary
conference

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Eastern Nazarene College | Quincy, Massachusetts | 1900  | Nazarene | 1,063  | Lions | 2018  | 2020  | Men's tennis  | North Atlantic (NAC)
Husson University | Bangor, Maine | 1898  | Nonsectarian  | 3,500  | Eagles | 2008m.sw. | 2020m.sw. | Men's swimming & diving  | North Atlantic (NAC)
2008w.sw. | 2020w.sw. | Women's swimming & diving
Lesley University | Cambridge, Massachusetts | 1909  | Nonsectarian  | 6,593  | Lynx | 2019  | 2020  | Men's tennis  | North Atlantic (NAC)
University of New England | Biddeford, Maine | 1831  | Nonsectarian  | 7,208  | Nor'easters | 2021  | 2022  | Women's swimming & diving  | C. New England (CNE)
Ramapo College | Mahwah, New Jersey | 1969  | Public  | 5,145  | Roadrunners | 2013  | 2019  | Men's tennis  | New Jersey (NJAC)
Rhode Island College | Providence, Rhode Island | 1854  | Nonsectarian  | 7,523  | Anchormen | 2008  | 2020  | Men's golf  | Little East (LEC)
Rutgers University–Camden | Camden, New Jersey | 1950  | Public  | 6,158  | Scarlet
Raptors | 2014  | 2019  | Men's tennis  | New Jersey (NJAC)
Rutgers University–Newark | Newark, New Jersey | 1945  | Public  | 12,321  | Scarlet
Raiders | 2013  | 2019  | Men's tennis  | New Jersey (NJAC)
University of Southern Maine | Portland, Maine | 1878  | Public  | 8,022  | Huskies | 2008  | 2020  | Men's golf  | Little East (LEC)
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth | North Dartmouth, Massachusetts | 1895  | Public  | 8,513  | Corsairs | 2012  | 2020  | Men's golf  | Little East (LEC)[c]
Worcester State University | Worcester, Massachusetts | 1874  | Public[d] | 5,611  | Lancers | 2012  | 2019  | Men's golf  | Mass. State (MASCAC)

Notes

1. ^ Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
2. ^ Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition ends.
3. ^ Massachusetts–Dartmouth (UMass Dartmouth) discontinued men's golf at the end of the 2019–20 school year due to budget cuts.
4. ^ Part of the Massachusetts State Universities System.[5]

### Membership timeline

[edit]

Full member (all sports)   Full member (non-football)   Associate member (football)   Associate member (sport)

## Sports

[edit]

A divisional format is used for basketball (M / W).

North

* Anna Maria
* Colby–Sawyer
* Emmanuel
* Norwich
* Rivier
* Saint Joseph (Maine)

South

* Albertus Magnus
* Dean
* Elms
* Lasell
* Regis
* Saint Joseph (Conn.)

See also: Great Northeast Athletic Conference men's basketball tournament

Conference sports Sport | Men's | Women's

|
|

Baseball |

Basketball |

Cross country |

Field hockey |  |

Golf |

Lacrosse |

Soccer |

Softball |  |

Swimming & diving |

Track & field |

Volleyball |

Men's sponsored sports by school

School  | Baseball  | Basketball  | Cross Country  | Golf  | Lacrosse  | Soccer  | Swimming & Diving  | Track & Field  | Volleyball  | Total GNAC sports

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Albertus Magnus  | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | 6
Colby–Sawyer  | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | Y | N | 6
Dean  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | 7
Elms  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | 8
Emmanuel  | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | 7
Lasell  | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | 7
Mitchell  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | 6
New England  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | 7
Norwich  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | 7
Regis  | N | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 7
Rivier  | Y | Y | N | N | Y | Y | N | N | Y | 5
Saint Joseph (CT)  | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | 6
Saint Joseph’s (ME)  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | 8
Totals  | 11  | 13  | 11  | 8  | 13  | 13  | 6  | 6  | 6+2  | 89
Emerson  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Y |
Wentworth  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Y |

Men's varsity sports not sponsored by the GNAC that are played by GNAC schools

School  | Alpine Skiing  | Football  | Ice Hockey  | Nordic Skiing  | Rifle  | Rugby  | Tennis  | Wrestling

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Albertus Magnus  |  |  | UCHC |  |  |  | IND |
Colby–Sawyer  | EISA |  |  |  |  |  | CNE |
Dean  |  | MASCAC |  |  |  |  |  |
Emmanuel  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | IND
New England  | Y | CNE | LEC | Y |  |  |  | NEWA
Norwich  |  | NEWMAC | LEC |  | YCo-Ed  | NACR | Empire 8 | NEWA
Rivier  |  |  | MASCAC |  |  |  |  |
Saint Joseph (CT)  |  |  |  |  |  |  | CNE |
Saint Joseph's (ME)  | Y |  |  |  |  |  |  |

Women's sponsored sports by school

School  | Basketball  | Cross Country  | Field Hockey  | Lacrosse  | Soccer  | Softball  | Swimming & Diving  | Track & Field  | Volleyball  | Total GNAC sports

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Albertus Magnus  | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | 7
Colby–Sawyer  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | 8
Dean  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | 7
Elms  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | 8
Emmanuel  | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | 7
Lasell  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | 8
Mitchell  | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | 6
New England  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | 8
Norwich  | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | 7
Regis  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 9
Rivier  | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | 6
Saint Joseph (CT)  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | 8
Saint Joseph’s (ME)  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 9
Simmons  | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 8
Totals  | 13  | 12  | 11  | 14  | 14  | 14  | 7  | 7  | 14  | 106

Women's varsity sports not sponsored by the GNAC that are played by GNAC schools

School  | Alpine Skiing  | Golf  | Ice Hockey  | Nordic Skiing  | Rifle  | Rowing  | Rugby  | Tennis  | Wrestling

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Albertus Magnus  |  | IND | UCHC |  |  |  |  | IND |
Colby–Sawyer  | EISA |  |  |  |  |  |  | CNE |
Dean  |  | IND |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Emmanuel  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2026-27
New England  | Y |  | LEC | Y |  |  | Y |  | Y
Norwich  |  |  | LEC |  | YCo-Ed  |  | NCR |  | Y
Rivier  |  |  | MASCAC |  |  |  |  |  |
Saint Joseph (CT)  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | CNE |
Saint Joseph's (ME)  | Y | IND |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Simmons  |  |  |  |  |  | NEWMAC |  | NAC |

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "UNE Women Join GNAC Swimming & Diving as Associate Member" (Press release). Great Northeast Athletic Conference. August 24, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
2. ^ "University of New England Women's Swimming to Join LEC as Affiliate Member in 2022-23" (Press release). Little East Conference. June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
3. ^ "Mitchell, NEC Joining GNAC in 2023-24 Academic Year" (Press release). Great Northeast Athletic Conference. September 28, 2022. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
4. ^ "Elms, GNAC Ready to Begin Conference Affiliation in 2021-22". Great Northeast Athletic Conference. April 7, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
5. ^ Massachusetts State Universities – The Nine State Universities of Massachusetts

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Great Northeast Athletic Conference.

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Great Northeast Athletic Conference

Full members|

* Albertus Magnus Falcons
* Colby-Sawyer Chargers
* Dean Bulldogs
* Elms Blazers
* Emmanuel Saints
* Lasell Lasers
* Mitchell Mariners
* New England College Pilgrims
* Norwich Cadets
* Regis Pride
* Rivier Raiders
* Saint Joseph (CT) Blue Jays
* Saint Joseph's (ME) Monks
* Simmons Sharks

Associate members|

* Eastern Nazarene Lions (men's tennis)
* Husson Eagles (swimming & diving)
* Rhode Island College Anchormen (men's golf)
* Southern Maine Huskies (men's golf)
* UMass Dartmouth Corsairs (men's golf)
* Wentworth Leopards (men's volleyball)

Former members|

* Anna Maria Amcats
* Daniel Webster Eagles
* Endicott Gulls
* Emerson Lions
* Mount Ida Mustangs
* Pine Manor Gators
* Southern Vermont Mountaineers
* Suffolk Rams
* Western New England Golden Bears

* v
* t
* e

NCAA Division III all-sports conferences

* Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference
* American Rivers Conference
* American Southwest Conference
* Atlantic East Conference
* Centennial Conference
* City University of New York Athletic Conference
* Coast to Coast Athletic Conference
* College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin
* Collegiate Conference of the South
* Conference of New England
* Empire 8
* Great Northeast Athletic Conference
* Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference
* Landmark Conference
* Liberty League
* Little East Conference
* Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference
* Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
* Middle Atlantic Conferences (Commonwealth
* Freedom)
* Midwest Conference
* Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
* New England Small College Athletic Conference
* New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference
* New Jersey Athletic Conference
* North Atlantic Conference
* North Coast Athletic Conference
* Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference
* Northwest Conference
* Ohio Athletic Conference
* Old Dominion Athletic Conference
* Presidents' Athletic Conference
* St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
* Skyline Conference
* Southern Athletic Association
* Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
* Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference
* State University of New York Athletic Conference
* United East Conference
* University Athletic Association
* Upper Midwest Athletic Conference
* USA South Athletic Conference
* Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
* Independents

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