LATHAM, N.Y. - The Atlantic East Conference and United East Conference have finalized the following 2026-27 implementations for the strategic partnership to support both conferences and their student athletes. Additional sport implementations for the 2026-27 academic year will be reviewed and announced, as necessary.
For the 2026-27 year, the strategic partnership identified many sports that would benefit by starting their initiative this upcoming academic year.
Announced in December, eight field hockey programs will compete together under the United East. These programs include Cedar Crest, Gwynedd Mercy, Immaculata, Keystone, Lancaster Bible, Penn. State Harrisburg, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and Wilson. All teams are slated to play seven conference contests throughout the fall in a round robin format.
Men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs from five institutions will continue competing together at the Atlantic East Championship. These teams include Cedar Crest, Gallaudet, Immaculata, Marymount, and St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
New partnerships will begin for men’s and women’s indoor track and field with Atlantic East programs Gwynedd Mercy, Immaculata, Marymount, and Pratt joining United East programs Gallaudet, Lancaster Bible, Penn State Harrisburg, and St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Additionally, Carlow joins the field as an associate member.
Spring season will bring men’s volleyball together under the United East. All members will compete in seven contests, five within their conference and two crossover matches. The top team from each conference will compete in a crossover championship for the automatic qualifier.
On the women’s lacrosse side, the two conferences have agreed to a non-conference scheduling partnership to bolster league schedules. Each conference will continue to host its own tournament for its respective automatic qualifiers for the 26-27 academic year.
The presidential leadership and the commissioners from both conferences continue to work towards a goal of completing our partnership terms by Summer 2026. More information will be shared publicly ahead of the 2026-27 academic year. Upon reaching a definitive agreement, full activation of the conference partnership is anticipated by Fall 2027.
President Deanne D’Emilio – Gwynedd Mercy University, Atlantic East
President Wes Fugate – Wilson College, United East
President Barbara Lettiere – Immaculata University, Atlantic East
President Michael Reed – Pennsylvania College of Technology, United East
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The United East boasts 14 NCAA Division III full member institutions which include: Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Brandywine, Penn State Harrisburg, St. Mary's College of Maryland, University of Valley Forge, and Wilson College. For more information, please visit gounitedeast.com.