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| St. Anselm has lacrosse, hockey, football and more among its 23 sports. St. Anselm athletics photo |
The New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference is thrilled to welcome St. Anselm as the conference's 13th core member following support from the NEWMAC Presidents Council.
St. Anselm is anticipated to begin the NCAA reclassification process effective with the 2027-28 academic year. Following completion of the NCAA reclassification process, the Hawks are expected to become full-fledged Division III members in 2029-30 and, at that time, would be eligible for NCAA postseason competition pending NCAA approval.
It's the second time St. Anselm has entered this process, after the Hawks applied to enter the Division III exploratory phase in the summer of 2015. The school is located in Manchester, New Hampshire, a little bit less than 60 miles northwest of Boston, and has 2,017 full-time undergraduates as of its last public filing with the U.S. Department of Education. St. Anselm is one of a handful of Division II schools which offers hockey. Those schools play primarily Division III opponents and have no national championship in which to compete.
"Through the cooperation of the NEWMAC leadership team, athletic directors, and institution presidents, the conference has developed a strategic plan that includes targeted expansion. St. Anselm's academic stature, community profile, and storied history make them a wonderful new member of the NEWMAC family," expresses Babson president and chair of NEWMAC Presidents Council, Stephen Spinelli.
The addition of St. Anselm College continues to strengthen the conference and exemplifies the NEWMAC's commitment to being a preeminent conference in Division III. St. Anselm's mission is to form ethical, well-rounded citizens grounded in faith, community, and intellectual growth. These principles align with the NEWMAC's Division III values, providing student-athletes the opportunity to excel in the classroom, in competition, and within their communities while embodying what it means to be champions of academic and athletic excellence.
"We are excited about the opportunity to join the NEWMAC," states St. Anselm president Joseph Favazza. "This strategic decision is in the best interest of the St. Anselm student experience and the long-term future of the college. The NCAA landscape is changing rapidly. After careful consideration, we have chosen a proactive path, one that aligns with our mission and allows St. Anselm to maintain control of its athletic future. We look forward to competing within the NEWMAC with a cohort of nationally respected institutions known for academic distinction and institutional stability."
St. Anselm athletics serves as an extension of the college's mission, where student-athletes compete with integrity, prioritize academics, and foster respect for others. These tenets complement the NEWMAC's core values of Excellence, Integrity, and Respect, further defining St. Anselm's natural fit within the conference.
"Welcoming St. Anselm College to the NEWMAC is an exciting milestone for our conference," expresses NEWMAC Executive Director Patrick B. Summers. "I am grateful to Presidents Council Chair Stephen Spinelli and Membership Committee chair president David Fithian for their vision and guidance in bringing this process to fruition. Throughout our discussions, Saint Anselm demonstrated a deep and authentic commitment to transitioning to Division III and to the NEWMAC — and that was evident every step of the way. We couldn't be more excited about the future."
With the addition of the Hawks, the NEWMAC is excited to expand its New England footprint, adding New Hampshire to its current member states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. St. Anselm is expected to compete in 16 of the NEWMAC's 21 sports, increasing sport sponsorship and championship field sizes while further enhancing the conference's already competitive profile and overall student-athlete experience.
"On behalf of the NEWMAC Membership Committee and the President's Council, I am proud to welcome St. Anselm College to the NEWMAC," expresses Clark president and Chair of the NEWMAC Membership Committee, David Fithian. "As the conference continues its pursuit of excellence within the NCAA Division III landscape, Saint Anselm will be a tremendous addition. The Hawks embody the core values of the NEWMAC—academic excellence, sportsmanship, and a strong tradition of athletic achievement."
The school sponsors 23 varsity sports and is home to more than 650 student-athletes, with 20 percent of its student-athletes pursuing degrees in nursing and health science fields. Since 2020, the Hawks have earned nine NCAA Division II automatic qualification berths, including one team national championship in field hockey (2024) and one team national semifinal appearance in men's lacrosse (2024). St. Anselm has a strong history of regional and national success that will further enhance the NEWMAC's competitive strength.
"We are excited to join a conference that so clearly reflects our institutional priorities," said St. Anselm athletic director Phil Rowe. "The NEWMAC is nationally recognized for its academic excellence, competitive depth, and long-term stability. This move allows us to provide the experience for our student-athletes by ensuring they can compete at a high level while fully engaging in the academic, leadership, and community opportunities that define a St. Anselm education."
St. Anselm College, also known as "The Hilltop", is a Catholic, Benedictine liberal arts institution located in Manchester, New Hampshire, and is home to impressive championship-level facilities. Currently underway is construction of the Van Hoof Athletic Complex, which will include a new home for track & field and men's and women's soccer beginning in 2027.
The conference office will begin working closely with the school and the NCAA to assist in the reclassification process while supporting the Hawks administrators, coaches, support staff and student-athletes during their transition.