Marlborough, Mass. (August 19, 2025) The New England Men’s and Women’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) announced today that men’s volleyball will become its 21st championship sport starting with the 2026-2027 academic year.
The addition includes four current NEWMAC institutions and three new associate members, creating a seven-team championship structure.
Current NEWMAC Programs
Four NEWMAC schools already sponsor men’s volleyball programs:
Springfield College brings the strongest volleyball pedigree to the conference. The Pride have won five NCAA Division III National Championships since 2012 and appeared in nine national title matches, including the 2025 championship game. Springfield currently competes as an independent program.
MIT currently competes in the United Volleyball Conference (UVC).
Emerson College will transition from the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC).
Wheaton College will launch its inaugural men’s volleyball program in 2025-2026.
New Associate Members
Three institutions will join as associate members specifically for men’s volleyball:
New York University enters after a dominant 2025 season. The Violets held the number one national ranking for most of the season, won their second consecutive UVC championship, and finished 26-1 while advancing to the NCAA Elite Eight.
SUNY New Paltz brings championship experience as a three-time UVC champion and two-time NCAA National Champion, winning titles in 2016 and 2019.
Vassar College reached the NCAA championship match in 2024 and earned an at-large tournament berth in 2025, finishing the season ranked ninth nationally.
Leadership and Structure
NEWMAC Executive Director Patrick B. Summers praised the collaborative effort that made the expansion possible, particularly acknowledging the partnership with Empire 8 and UVC Commissioner Chuck Mitrano for facilitating the realignment process.
In a related development, Summers will assume the commissioner role of the UVC when its current leadership structure concludes after the 2025-2026 season. This arrangement will provide the seven NEWMAC men’s volleyball programs with an automatic qualifier to the NCAA Division III Men’s Volleyball Championship beginning in spring 2027.
Clark University President David Fithian, who chairs the NEWMAC Membership Committee, expressed enthusiasm about the expansion and the opportunities it creates for member institutions.
The conference is currently developing scheduling formats and championship structures, with conference play scheduled to begin in 2026-2027.
About the NEWMAC
The NEWMAC consists of 12 member institutions: Babson College, Clark University, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Emerson College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mount Holyoke College, Salve Regina University, Smith College, Springfield College, Wellesley College, Wheaton College, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
The conference also partners with associate members Norwich University, Simmons College, SUNY Maritime College, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in specific sports. With the addition of men’s volleyball, the NEWMAC will sponsor 21 varsity sports.
This is a developing story…