JUNE 26, 2025 | composed by STEVE ULRICH

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1. BREAKING: Marywood To Join Middle Atlantic Conference

“The Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Presidents are pleased to formally announce that Marywood University will join the Middle Atlantic Conference as its 18th member institution, commencing with the 2026-27 academic year. This strategic expansion further solidifies the MAC's commitment to fostering a robust and competitive NCAA Division III landscape for student-athletes across the region.

“On behalf of the MAC Presidents, it is with great enthusiasm that we welcome Marywood University into the Middle Atlantic Conference, commencing in the 2026-27 academic year,” said Dan Myers, MAC Executive Committee Chair and Misericordia University President. “This strategic expansion underscores our collective commitment to growth and competitive integrity. Marywood’s presence will undoubtedly enrich our conference, fostering new rivalries and enhancing opportunities for student-athletes across the region for years to come.”

This commitment to growth and competitive integrity is further strengthened by the addition of Marywood, joining fellow Atlantic East Conference (AEC) member Neumann University, as the conference continues to strategically expand its distinguished membership.

With these additions, the Commonwealth and Freedom will each have nine competing institutions. Neumann will compete in the MAC Commonwealth, while Marywood will compete in the MAC Freedom for field hockey, soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball, golf, lacrosse, softball, and tennis.

“Joining the MAC is a game-changer for Marywood Athletics and an important step in facilitating our broader vision for growth,” said Lisa Lori, President of Marywood University. “It brings all of our NCAA-sponsored sports under one competitive umbrella, strengthens our commitment to providing an exceptional student-athlete experience, and reestablishes key regional rivalries that energize our community. This move elevates expectations both on and off the field. As an institution, we embrace that.”

The Pacers will bring a slate of 10 men’s and 12 women’s NCAA teams to the MAC, including baseball, basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, golf, tennis, swimming and diving, cross country, track and field, softball, and volleyball. In the past year, the Pacers captured four Atlantic East Conference crowns in men’s cross country, field hockey, women’s soccer, and men’s track and field, moving to 26 overall AEC championship titles.”

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