NEWTOWN, Pa. – The Middle Atlantic Conference officially welcomes two new member institutions for the 2026–27 academic year: Marywood University (Scranton, Pa.) and Neumann University (Aston, Pa.). The additions bring the MAC to 18 member institutions and restore full symmetry, with nine schools now competing in both the MAC Commonwealth and the MAC Freedom.

The Marywood Pacers join the MAC Freedom, while Neumann Knights join the MAC Commonwealth. Both programs bring with them strong athletics traditions, competitive excellence, and a commitment to the NCAA Division III philosophy of developing the complete student-athlete.

"Marywood and Neumann both embody the core NCAA Division III philosophy that defines the MAC. Their deep-rooted institutional values, centered on holistic student-athlete development, academic integrity, and community engagement, align with our mission. We are not just adding two dedicated athletics programs; we are welcoming two institutions that share our unwavering commitment to shaping well-rounded, successful leaders on the field, in the classroom, and far beyond graduation."  - Megan Morrison, MAC Executive Director

MARYWOOD UNIVERSITY – THE PACERS
Located in Scranton, Pa., Marywood University is a Catholic institution sponsored by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (I.H.M.). Founded in 1915, Marywood is home to approximately 2,470 students and has long been recognized for its strong academic programs and vibrant campus community. The Pacers compete in forest green, gold, and white.

Marywood brings 23 NCAA Division III varsity sports to the MAC, including 10 men's programs (baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming & diving, tennis, indoor and outdoor track & field) and 13 women's programs (basketball, cross country, field hockey, flag football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, indoor and outdoor track & field, volleyball). The Pacers will compete in the MAC Freedom for field hockey, men's and women's soccer, women's volleyball, men's and women's basketball, baseball, men's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, softball, and men's and women's tennis.

Marywood enters the MAC with championship-level momentum. Over the past year, the Pacers earned Atlantic East Conference titles in men's cross country, women's soccer, field hockey, men's and women's track and field. The program's consistent performance across multiple sports reflects both the quality of its coaching staff and the dedication of its student-athletes.

"Marywood University is extremely excited to officially become a member of the Middle Atlantic Conference. We cannot thank their administration enough for their help through the transition over the last several months. Our coaches and athletes are excited for the competition that lies ahead. As I stated previously, moving to the MAC forces us to get better, not just within athletics, but as an entire university. We look forward to that challenge." - Andrew Smith, Marywood Director of Athletics & Recreation

NEUMANN UNIVERSITY – THE KNIGHTS
Located in Aston, Pa., Neumann University is a Catholic institution founded by the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia in 1965. With an enrollment of approximately 2,244 students and a 133-acre suburban campus anchored by the Mirenda Center for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development, Neumann has built a proud tradition of athletic and academic excellence. The Knights compete in navy, gold, and white.

Neumann brings 20 varsity sports to the MAC, including nine men's programs (baseball, basketball, cross country, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, outdoor track & field and volleyball) and 11 women's programs (basketball, cross country, field hockey, flag football, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, outdoor track & field and volleyball). The Knights will compete in the MAC Commonwealth for field hockey, men's and women's soccer, women's volleyball, men's and women's basketball, baseball, men's and women's lacrosse, softball, and men's and women's tennis. Neumann has previously competed in the MAC as an affiliate member in men's ice hockey, so this transition to full membership is a natural evolution of a relationship already in place.

Neumann arrives with a distinguished championship pedigree. The Knights have earned more than 30 conference titles during their tenure in the Atlantic East Conference, CSAC (Colonial States Athletics Conference) and PAC (Presidents' Athletic Conference). Their recent championships came in women's lacrosse, men's soccer and men's basketball. Most notably, Neumann's men's ice hockey program captured the NCAA Division III National Championship in 2009, a milestone that remains the program's most celebrated achievement.

"We are thrilled to officially join the Middle Atlantic Conference and enter an exciting new era for Neumann Athletics. This opportunity to become part of such a prestigious and well-respected conference is truly meaningful for our university. The MAC represents the very best of Division III athletics, prioritizing a first-class experience for student-athletes while fostering strong competition and sportsmanship. The future is incredibly bright for Neumann Athletics, and we look forward to elevating our programs as we compete in a highly competitive and respected conference. We sincerely thank Megan Morrison and the entire MAC staff for their leadership, support, and guidance throughout this process. This is a great moment for our student-athletes, coaches, staff, and the entire Neumann University community." - John Krimmel, Neumann Director of Athletics & Recreation

CONFERENCE ALIGNMENT FOR 2026–27
With the additions of Marywood to the MAC Freedom and Neumann to the MAC Commonwealth, both conferences will align at nine member institutions. The realignment will affect the sports that are split between the two conferences, including baseball, men's and women's basketball, field hockey, men's and women's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's tennis, and women's volleyball.

The new conference structure is as follows:
 

MAC COMMONWEALTH	MAC FREEDOM
Albright College	Arcadia University
Alvernia University	Delaware Valley University
Eastern University	DeSales University
Hood College	FDU-Florham
Messiah University	King's College
Neumann University	Lebanon Valley College
Stevenson University	Marywood University
Widener University	Misericordia University
York College of Pennsylvania	Stevens Institute of Technology

 



 
 
 
 
 
 
 

ABOUT THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC CONFERENCE
Located in Newtown, Pa., the Middle Atlantic Conference is an NCAA Division III conference comprised of the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC), Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth (MAC Commonwealth), and Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom).

Its 18 member institutions, located across three states, are: Albright College (Reading, Pa.), Alvernia University (Reading, Pa.), Arcadia University (Glenside, Pa.), Delaware Valley University (Doylestown, Pa.), DeSales University (Center Valley, Pa.), Eastern University (St. Davids, Pa.), Fairleigh Dickinson University–Florham Campus (Madison, N.J.), Hood College (Frederick, Md.), King's College (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.), Lebanon Valley College (Annville, Pa.), Marywood University (Scranton, Pa.), Messiah University (Mechanicsburg, Pa.), Misericordia University (Dallas, Pa.), Neumann University (Aston, Pa.), Stevens Institute of Technology (Hoboken, N.J.), Stevenson University (Owings Mills, Md.), Widener University (Chester, Pa.), and York College of Pennsylvania (York, Pa.).

The MAC sponsors 29 intercollegiate sports and 42 championships in NCAA Division III. More than 7,700 student-athletes participate in baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, field hockey, football, men's and women's golf, men's and women's ice hockey, men's and women's indoor track & field, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's outdoor track & field, softball, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's swimming & diving, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's volleyball, men's wrestling, women's wrestling, and women's flag football.