Little East Conference

American intercollegiate athletic conference

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Little East Conference

Association| NCAA
Founded| 1986
Commissioner| Al Bean (since September 2, 2024)
Sports fielded|

* 19
* men's: 8
* women's: 11

Division| Division III
No. of teams| 9
Headquarters| North Providence, Rhode Island
Region| New England
Official website| littleeast.com
Locations

The Little East Conference (LEC) is an intercollegiate athletic conference that competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III. The member institutions are located in all six states of New England.

## History

[edit]

Little East Conference

50km
31miles

ECSU

UNE

WNE

Salem State

Mass Maritime

Bridgewater State

Westfield State

Castleton

UMass Dartmouth

UMass Boston

Southern Maine

WCSU

R.I. College

Plymouth State

Keene State

Locations of Little East members, 2022–2023  full and  associate

### Chronological timeline

[edit]

* 1986 - On April 28, 1986, the Little East Conference (LEC) was founded. Charter members included Eastern Connecticut State University, the University of Massachusetts Boston, Southeastern Massachusetts University (now the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth), Plymouth State College (now Plymouth State University), Rhode Island College and the University of Southern Maine; beginning the 1986–87 academic year.
* 1993 - Western Connecticut State University joined the Little East in the 1993–94 academic year.
* 1997 - Keene State College joined the Little East in the 1997–98 academic year.
* 2000 - Seven institutions joined the Little East as associate members: Bridgewater State University, Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, Salem State University, Westfield State University and Worcester State University for field hockey as the MASCAC division in fall, and Salem State for men's lacrosse in spring, all effective in the 2000–01 academic year.
* 2003 - Salem State added men's tennis into its Little East associate membership in the 2004 spring season (2003–04 academic year).
* 2004 - Two institutions added certain sports into their Little East associate memberships: Bridgewater State with men's and women's tennis, and Salem State with women's tennis, both effective the 2005 spring season (2004–05 academic year).
* 2009 - Three institutions added certain sports into their Little East associate memberships: Worcester State with women's tennis, and Bridgewater State and Westfield State with women's swimming & diving, all effective in the 2009–10 academic year.
* 2015 - Bridgewater State left the Little East as an associate member for women's swimming & diving after the 2014–15 academic year.
* 2018 - Castleton University (later Vermont State University–Castleton) joined the Little East in the 2018–19 academic year.
* 2019 - Two institutions joined the Little East as associate members: Western New England University for women's swimming & diving, and Massachusetts Maritime Academy for men's lacrosse, both effective in the 2019–20 academic year.
* 2022 -
* The University of New England joined the Little East as an associate member for women's swimming & diving in the 2022–23 academic year.[1]
* The MASCAC field hockey division of the Little East (Bridgewater State, Fitchburg State, Framingham State, Salem State, Westfield State and Worcester State) will leave the Little East and be its own separate conference (as in, the MASCAC to have it as a sponsored sport) beginning in the 2023 fall season (2023–24 academic year).[2]

## Member schools

[edit]

### Current members

[edit]

The Little East currently has nine full members, all are public schools:

Institution  | Location  | Founded  | Affiliation  | Enrollment  | Endowment
(millions) | Nickname  | Joined  | Colors

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, Connecticut | 1889  | Public[a] | 4,989  | $16.3  | Warriors | 1986  |
Keene State College | Keene, New Hampshire | 1909  | Public[b] | 3,213  | $14.0[c] | Owls | 1997  |
Plymouth State University | Plymouth, New Hampshire | 1871  | Public[b] | 4,491  | $28.9  | Panthers | 1986  |
Rhode Island College | Providence, Rhode Island | 1854  | Public[d] | 7,523  | $16.4  | Anchormen &
Anchorwomen | 1986  |
University of Massachusetts Boston | Boston, Massachusetts | 1852  | Public[e] | 16,259  | $92.0  | Beacons | 1986  |
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth | Dartmouth, Massachusetts | 1895  | Public[e] | 8,513  | $59.0  | Corsairs | 1986  |
University of Southern Maine | Gorham, Maine[f] | 1878  | Public[g] | 8,022  | $38.5  | Huskies | 1986  |
Vermont State University-Castleton | Castleton, Vermont | 1787  | Public[h] | 2,399  | $7.86  | Spartans | 2018  |
Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, Connecticut | 1903  | Public[a] | 5,246  | $12.8  | Wolves | 1993  |

Notes

1. ^ a b Part of the Connecticut State University System.
2. ^ a b Part of the University System of New Hampshire.
3. ^ Actual amount in endowment is $13,996,219.
4. ^ Part of the Rhode Island Board of Education.
5. ^ a b Part of the University of Massachusetts System.
6. ^ The University of Southern Maine's main campus is located at Gorham; with other campuses at Lewiston and Portland.
7. ^ Part of the University of Maine System.
8. ^ Part of the Vermont State Colleges System.

### Associate members

[edit]

The Little East currently has six associate members, all but two are public schools:

Institution  | Location  | Founded  | Affiliation  | Enrollment  | Endowment
(millions) | Nickname  | Joined  | Colors  | Primary
conference  | LEC
sport(s)

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Bridgewater State University | Bridgewater, Massachusetts | 1840  | Public[a] | 10,651  | $54.0  | Bears | 2004–05m.ten.
2004–05w.ten. |       | MASCAC | men's tennis;
women's tennis
Massachusetts Maritime Academy | Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts | 1891  | Public[a] | 1,637  | $13.05[b] | Buccaneers | 2019–20  |     | MASCAC | men's lacrosse
University of New England | Biddeford, Maine | 1831  | Nonsectarian | 7,208  | $39.2  | Nor'easters | 2022–23  |     | CNE | women's swimming & diving
Salem State University | Salem, Massachusetts | 1854  | Public[a] | 7,242  | $25.3  | Vikings | 2000–01m.lax.
2003–04m.ten.
2004–05w.ten. |       | MASCAC | men's lacrosse;
men's tennis;
women's tennis
Western New England University | Springfield, Massachusetts | 1919  | Nonsectarian  | 3,702  | $55.9  | Golden Bears | 2019–20  |     | CNE | women's swimming & diving[3]
Westfield State University | Westfield, Massachusetts | 1838  | Public[a] | 5,400  | $6.2  | Owls | 2009–10  |       | MASCAC | women's swimming & diving

Notes

1. ^ a b c d Part of the Massachusetts State Universities System.
2. ^ Actual amount in endowment is $13,051,554.

### Future associate members

[edit]

Institution  | Location  | Founded  | Affiliation  | Enrollment  | Nickname  | Joined  | Primary
conference  | Little East
sport

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Babson College | Wellesley, Massachusetts | 1919  | Nonsectarian  | 2,350  | Beavers | 2025–26  | NEWMAC | men's ice hockey
New England College | Henniker, New Hampshire | 1946  | Nonsectarian  | 4,327  | Pilgrims | 2025–26  | GNAC | men's ice hockey;
women's ice hockey
Norwich University | Northfield, Vermont | 1819  | Private | 2,300  | Cadets | 2025–26  | GNAC | men's ice hockey;
women's ice hockey

### Former associate members

[edit]

The Little East had six former associate members, all of which were also public schools:

Institution  | Location  | Founded  | Affiliation  | Enrollment  | Endowment  | Nickname  | Joined  | Left  | Colors  | Primary
conference  | LEC
sport(s)

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Bridgewater State University | Bridgewater, Massachusetts | 1840  | Public[a] | 10,651  | $54.0  | Bears | 2000–01f.h.
2009–10w.s.d. | 2022–23f.h.
2014–15w.s.d. |       | MASCAC | field hockey;
women's swimming & diving
Fitchburg State University | Fitchburg, Massachusetts | 1894  | Public[a] | 4,659  | $19.9  | Falcons | 2000–01  | 2022–23  |     | MASCAC | field hockey
Framingham State University | Framingham, Massachusetts | 1839  | Public[a] | 4,111  | $35.4[b] | Rams | 2000–01  | 2022–23  |     | MASCAC | field hockey
Salem State University | Salem, Massachusetts | 1854  | Public[a] | 7,242  | $25.3  | Vikings | 2000–01  | 2022–23  |       | MASCAC | field hockey
Westfield State University | Westfield, Massachusetts | 1838  | Public[a] | 5,400  | $6.2  | Owls | 2000–01  | 2022–23  |       | MASCAC | field hockey
Worcester State University | Worcester, Massachusetts | 1874  | Public[a] | 6,434  | $34.5  | Lancers | 2000–01f.h.
2009–10w.ten. | 2022–23f.h.
2020–21w.ten. |     | MASCAC | field hockey;
women's tennis

Notes

1. ^ a b c d e f Part of the Massachusetts State Universities System.
2. ^ Actual amount in endowment is $35,385,907.

### Membership timeline

[edit]

## Sports

[edit]

See also: Little East Conference men's basketball tournament

Conference Sports

Sport  | Men's  | Women's

|
|

Baseball | Y |
Basketball | Y | Y
Cross Country | Y | Y
Field Hockey |  | Y
Golf | Y | Y
Ice Hockey | Y | Y
Lacrosse | Y | Y
Soccer | Y | Y
Softball |  | Y
Swimming & Diving | Y | Y
Tennis | Y | Y
Track & Field | Y | Y
Volleyball |  | Y

### Men's sports

[edit]

School  | Baseball  | Basketball  | Cross
Country  | Golf  | Ice
Hockey  | Lacrosse  | Soccer  | Swimming
& Diving  | Tennis  | Track &
Field  | Total LEC Sports

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Castleton  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | 9
Eastern Connecticut  | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y[a] | N | Y | 8
Keene State  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | 9
Plymouth State  | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y[a] | N | Y | 8
Rhode Island College  | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | N | Y | Y | 7
Southern Maine  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | 9
UMass Boston  | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | 8
UMass Dartmouth  | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | N | N | Y | 6
Western Connecticut  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | 9
Totals  | 9  | 9  | 9  | 6  | 7+3  | 7+2  | 9  | 3+4  | 5+2  | 9  | 73+11
Associate Members
Babson  |  |  |  |  | Y |  |  |  |  |  | 1
Bridgewater State  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Y | Y |  | 2
Husson  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Y |  |  | 1
Maine Maritime  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Y |  |  | 1
Massachusetts Maritime  |  |  |  |  |  | Y |  |  |  |  | 1
New England College  |  |  |  |  | Y |  |  |  |  |  | 1
Norwich  |  |  |  |  | Y |  |  |  |  |  | 1
Salem State  |  |  |  |  |  | Y |  |  | Y |  | 2
SUNY Delhi  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Y |  |  | 1

#### Men's varsity sports not sponsored by the Little East Conference that are played by Little East schools

[edit]

School  | Alpine Skiing  | Football  | Wrestling

|
|
|

Castleton  | USCSA | NJAC | NEWA
Plymouth State  | EISA | MASCAC | NEWA
Rhode Island College  |  |  | NEWA
Southern Maine  |  |  | NEWA
UMass Dartmouth  |  | MASCAC |
Western Connecticut  |  | Landmark |

### Women's sports

[edit]

School  | Basketball  | Cross
Country  | Field
Hockey  | Golf  | Ice
Hockey  | Lacrosse  | Soccer  | Softball  | Swimming
& Diving  | Tennis  | Track &
Field  | Volleyball  | Total LEC Sports

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Castleton  | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | 10
Eastern Connecticut  | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y[a] | N | Y | Y | 10
Keene State  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | 11
Plymouth State  | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y[a] | Y | Y | Y | 11
Rhode Island College  | Y | Y | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y[a] | Y | Y | Y | 10
Southern Maine  | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | 11
UMass Boston  | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | 10
UMass Dartmouth  | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 10
Western Connecticut  | Y | Y | Y | Y | N[b] | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | 10
Totals  | 9  | 9  | 8  | 5  | 5+2  | 9  | 9  | 9  | 5+6  | 7+2  | 9  | 9  | 93+10
Associate Members
Bridgewater State  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Y |  |  | 1
Husson  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Y |  |  |  | 1
Maine Maritime  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Y |  |  |  | 1
New England College  |  |  |  |  | Y |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1
U. of New England  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Y |  |  |  | 1
Norwich  |  |  |  |  | Y |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1
Salem State  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Y |  |  | 1
SUNY Delhi  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Y |  |  |  | 1
Western New England  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Y |  |  |  | 1
Westfield State  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Y[a] |  |  |  | 1

#### Women's varsity sports not sponsored by the Little East Conference that are played by Little East schools

[edit]

School  | Alpine Skiing  | Gymnastics  | Rugby

|
|
|

Castleton  | USCSA |  | Y
Plymouth State  | EISA |  |
Rhode Island College  |  | NCGA |

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f Swimming only
2. ^ 2026-27

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "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.
2. ^ "Little East Field Hockey Preseason Poll Released". 2022-08-24.
3. ^ "Affiliate Members". littleeast.com. Retrieved 2021-10-22.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Little East Conference.

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Little East Conference

Full members|

* Eastern Connecticut State Warriors
* Keene State Owls
* Plymouth State Panthers
* Rhode Island College Anchormen
* UMass Boston Beacons
* UMass Dartmouth Corsairs
* Southern Maine Huskies
* Vermont State Castleton Spartans
* Western Connecticut State Wolves

Associate members|

* Bridgewater State Bears1
* Fitchburg State Falcons2
* Framingham State Rams2
* Massachusetts Maritime Buccaneers3
* Salem State Vikings4
* Western New England Golden Bears5
* Westfield State Owls6
* Worcester State Lancers7

* 1field hockey, men's and women's tennis, and women's swimming & diving
* 2field hockey
* 3men's lacrosse
* 4field hockey, men's lacrosse, and men's and women's tennis
* 5women's swimming & diving
* 6field hockey and women's swimming & diving
* 7field hockey and women's tennis

* 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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