University of New Haven Will Move to Division I Athletics as University of Hartford Transition to Division III Nears Completion
/The University of New Haven announced plans this week to join the NCAA Division I as the 10th member of the Northeast Conference (NEC) for the 2025-26 academic year.
The West Haven-based school said it had “accepted a full membership invitation” from the NEC Council of Presidents and will officially join the league on July 1. The announcement was made by NEC Commissioner Noreen Morris and University of New Haven President Jens Frederiksen.
“We are thrilled about this opportunity for the University of New Haven,” Frederiksen said. “Athletics has been and continues to be a vital driver of enrollment and brand recognition for the University. This move to the Northeast Conference and Division I positions the University for an exciting future – one consistent with the overall strategic focus on academic, professional and global return on investment.”
It was just in the past few years that the University of Hartford, based in West Hartford, departed Division I sports, to much consternation on the University campus and among alumni and athletes. Students from the University of Hartford sued the university for the controversial move; the suit claimed that UHart "reneged on its commitment" to the student-athletes.
In May 2021, the university’s website recaps, the University’s Board determined that Division III’s approach to intercollegiate athletics better aligns with the University’s mission and goals of creating exceptional academic, co-curricular, and wellness experiences for all students.
In their decision, the Board recognized the many ways in which generations of student-athletes and athletics alumni represent the University in and out of uniform and acknowledged the significant positive impact they have had on our institution.
The NCAA approved the transition of UHart's athletics program to Division III in March 2022 and the University announced its acceptance into the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) as its new athletics conference, beginning in the 2023-24 academic year. The CCC is an NCAA Division III athletics conference with 10 member institutions throughout the New England region.
University of New Haven’s teams, known as The Chargers, will attain full Division I membership in 2028-29 following the NCAA-mandated reclassification period.
The Chargers will join Fairleigh Dickinson University, Long Island University, Saint Francis University, Wagner College, Central Connecticut State University, Stonehill College, Le Moyne College, Chicago State University and Mercyhurst University in the NEC.
The Chargers will field NEC teams in baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, football, men’s and women’s golf, women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, women’s tennis, men’s and women’s track & field (indoor and outdoor) and women’s volleyball.
The football team’s schedule for being added to the conference is still being determined. The Chargers will become eligible for NCAA Championship competition in 2028-29, upon successful completion of their reclassification period.
The University of New Haven is a private institution founded in 1920. It offers more than 105 majors and has earned acclaim for its forensic science program. It also has top national rankings in homeland security, law enforcement and firefighting.
Hartford Athletics is completing the transition to an NCAA Division III model. Currently fielding 17 NCAA sports, the University plans to add tennis and field hockey in 2025. New programs for men's and women's tennis and field hockey are beginning Fall 2025, when the University of Hartford begins active membership in DIII.
