The Middle Atlantic Conference Presidents are pleased to formally announce that Marywood University will join as its 18th member institution effective in 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."

• More moves in Conference Shuffle
• SUNYAC to add three full members
• Luther to leave ARC
• St. Elizabeth moving to Atlantic East

Marywood will compete in the MAC Freedom for field hockey, soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball, golf, lacrosse, softball, and tennis. With the additions of Marywood and Neumann, the Commonwealth and Freedom conferences will each have nine competing institutions. The school is currently a member of the Atlantic East Conference, which has already lost a member in Neumann. The AEC has lost two members for 2026 but will gain one this fall in St. Elizabeth.

"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 the school. "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.

During its time in the Atlantic East, Marywood led with the most student-athletes on the All-Academic Team during six of the conference's seven years. It leads the Atlantic East with 35 Team Academic Awards for the highest GPA.

Prior to the AEC, Marywood was a long-time member of the Colonial States Athletic Conference, formerly the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference, through the end of the 2017-18 academic year. Marywood is an associate member of the Landmark Conference and Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference in women's and men's golf, respectively. Inclusive of its past performances, the Pacers have collected 68 conference championships and 69 runner-up finishes.

Marywood continues to improve and expand its facilities to enhance the student-athlete experience. In the past few years, the university has added resources such as a recovery room, nutrition services, sports psychology training, strength and conditioning programming, and more to help the student-athletes perform their best on and off the field.

"By joining the MAC we are prioritizing the student-athlete experience and student-athlete well-being, both of which are key staples within Marywood athletics," stated Marywood athletic director Andrew Smith. "With this new partnership, Marywood coaches will be able to expand our recruiting footprint, enabling us to compete in the region and beyond. As competitors, we want to get better every day. Joining the MAC provides us that opportunity."