1/4/2026
The landscape of NCAA Division III men’s volleyball is experiencing an exciting transformation as three conferences embrace the sport and create new pathways for student-athletes
The world of Division III men’s volleyball is entering an exciting new chapter. In a coordinated effort that demonstrates the sport’s remarkable growth and maturity, three conferences announced in August 2025 that they will sponsor men’s volleyball as an automatic qualifying championship sport beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. This strategic realignment represents a significant milestone in the evolution of collegiate men’s volleyball and promises enhanced stability, competitive balance, and opportunities for student-athletes across the Northeast region.
Three Conferences Step Up
The Empire 8, New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC), and Conference of New England (CNE) each announced plans to bring men’s volleyball under their respective umbrellas, marking a transition from single-sport conference structures to multi-sport conference homes. This shift represents the culmination of years of growth in Division III men’s volleyball and reflects the sport’s increasing prominence on college campuses.
“Our member institutions have been early contributors to the growth of men’s volleyball in the collegiate landscape,” said Empire 8 Executive Director Chuck Mitrano, who has served the conference for 25 years. “It is exciting to see the growth reach the multi-sport conference level and we are primed for what will be a top-notch men’s volleyball conference with teams that have consistently been nationally competitive. It’s going to be competitive, which will make for a great student-athlete experience.”
Empire 8: Building on Championship Tradition
The Empire 8 will launch its men’s volleyball championship with seven strong programs in 2026-27: Elmira College, Hartwick College, Houghton University, Nazareth University, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Russell Sage College, and St. John Fisher University. An eighth member is slated to join for the 2027-28 season, further strengthening what promises to be a highly competitive conference.
The league brings impressive championship credentials to the table. Nazareth captured the 2011 Molten Division III Men’s Volleyball Championship and advanced to the 2013 NCAA Division III Championship match, while also winning the first three United Volleyball Conference (UVC) Championships from 2011-13. St. John Fisher made back-to-back NCAA Championship Tournament appearances in 2022 and 2023, winning the 2022 UVC title. Both St. John Fisher and Nazareth were ranked in the top 20 of the AVCA Division III Men’s Volleyball poll in 2025, and Elmira has been ranked inside the top 15 of the AVCA poll 66 times in program history.
With 12 full-time member institutions, the Empire 8 will now sponsor 28 Division III sports, demonstrating its commitment to comprehensive athletic opportunities.
NEWMAC: Creating a Premier Conference
The NEWMAC’s addition of men’s volleyball represents what many are calling the formation of “the premier men’s volleyball conference in the country.” The conference will feature four core members: Emerson College, MIT, Springfield College, and Wheaton College. Three powerhouse programs will join as associate members: New York University, SUNY New Paltz, and Vassar College, bringing the total membership to seven institutions.
This alignment brings together an extraordinary collection of talent and tradition. Springfield College alone has captured five NCAA Division III National Championships since 2012 and reached nine national title matches, most recently in 2025. NYU held the No. 1 national ranking for much of the 2025 season, secured its second consecutive UVC title, and posted a remarkable 26-1 record while advancing to the NCAA Elite Eight. SUNY New Paltz is a three-time UVC champion and two-time NCAA National Champion (2016, 2019), and Vassar reached the NCAA title match in 2024 and earned an at-large berth in 2025, finishing the season ranked No. 9 nationally.
“The addition of men’s volleyball to the NEWMAC marks an exciting milestone in our continued commitment to broadening athletic opportunities for student-athletes,” said NEWMAC Executive Director Patrick B. Summers. “We are thrilled to welcome three esteemed institutions as associate members, enhancing the competitiveness and prestige of our newest championship sport.”
With this addition, the NEWMAC will now sponsor 21 varsity sports across its 12 selective academic institutions.
CNE: Absorbing the NEVC and Expanding Opportunities
The Conference of New England will make men’s volleyball its 22nd championship sport in 2026-27, absorbing the remaining members of the New England Volleyball Conference (NEVC) in a strategic move designed to provide long-term stability. The NEVC will cease operations following the 2025-26 academic year, but its member programs will find enhanced opportunities in their new conference home.
The CNE will welcome three current CNE core members: Curry College, Endicott College, and Nichols College. The nationally renowned program from Wentworth Institute of Technology will also transition to the CNE. Joining as associate members will be Bard College, Vermont State University Johnson, and SUNY Potsdam, bringing the total membership to seven institutions.
This group includes programs with impressive credentials. Nichols reached the NCAA Quarterfinals in 2025, while Wentworth has reached five straight NCAA Tournaments with seven total appearances. In those seven appearances, the Leopards sport a 7-7 record and have reached the quarterfinals six times. In 2017 and 2022, Wentworth advanced to the national semifinals. SUNY Potsdam finished the 2025 season with an 18-8 overall record and ran off 12 consecutive wins before falling in the NEVC semifinals.
“In alignment with our strategic plan, our conference is always looking to be on the forefront of broadening our sport offerings to always provide quality student-athlete experiences,” said CNE and NEVC Commissioner Patrick Colbert. “The unique part of this process is that we had the opportunity to work with three conferences who shared a vision of trying to create stability and structure for the involved institutions, and we are grateful to their respective leaderships as we were able to ensure a smooth realignment process that did not impede on any student-athlete access to Conference or NCAA Championships.”
A Collaborative Approach to Realignment
What makes this realignment particularly noteworthy is the collaborative spirit in which it was conducted. Unlike many conference realignment scenarios that can be contentious and disruptive, this process involved careful coordination among the Empire 8, NEWMAC, CNE, UVC, and NEVC to ensure every program found a competitive home with continued access to NCAA championship opportunities.
Chuck Mitrano, who has served as UVC Commissioner since its founding in 2010 and will transition the role to Patrick B. Summers, reflected on the successful evolution of the single-sport conference model. “The UVC was a founding NCAA Division III men’s volleyball conference and played a critical role in getting men’s volleyball under the NCAA umbrella,” Mitrano said. “Fifteen years ago, there were very few programs, and the goal of a single sport conference should be to grow the game to a level that it will be adopted by multi-sport conferences signaling vitality for the sport. I am proud we are making this transition ethically in collaboration with the multi-sport conferences represented within the UVC membership to ensure opportunities for all their student-athletes are preserved, serving the greater good.”
The UVC’s legacy is impressive. Over its first 15 seasons, the conference produced three NCAA Division III National Champions: Nazareth (2011), Stevens (2015), and SUNY New Paltz (2019). Three UVC programs were NCAA national runners-up, and UVC teams made the NCAA National Semifinal match 16 times. The league has earned 126 AVCA All-American honors, with four AVCA Division III National Players of the Year.
The United Volleyball Conference Continues
While several UVC members are transitioning to multi-sport conferences, the UVC will continue with a new configuration. Founding members New York University, MIT, SUNY New Paltz, and Vassar College, along with Hobart College, will remain in the UVC under the new leadership of Patrick B. Summers. NEWMAC men’s volleyball playing institutions Emerson College, Springfield College, and Wheaton College will join the UVC for the 2026 season before transitioning to the NEWMAC for 2026-27.
This ensures continuity for the historic conference while allowing programs to eventually compete in their natural multi-sport conference homes.
Automatic Qualification and Enhanced Competition
All three conferences (Empire 8, NEWMAC, and CNE) will provide automatic qualification to the NCAA Division III Men’s Volleyball Championship starting in the spring of 2027. This is a critical benefit for student-athletes, as it guarantees conference champions a path to the national tournament and creates additional opportunities for teams to compete at the highest level.
The Division III championship, which began in 2012 with nine teams, has steadily expanded with the growth of D3 men’s volleyball. The tournament currently features 19 teams, including 14 automatic qualifiers from conferences and five at-large selections. The 2025 championship saw Southern Virginia University capture its first national title, continuing a tradition of competitive balance and exciting tournament action.
PAC Adding D1 Saint Francis
Saint Francis has begun the process to transition from D1 play in the NEC to D3 in the PAC. The three year cycle from start to finish will have SFU compete at D1 in 2026, transition to D3 in 2027, and have full eligibility for conference titles in 2028. The PAC for 2026 will consist of Bethany, Chatham, Geneva, Grove City, Hiram, St. Vincent, and Thiel.
Looking Ahead: A Bright Future
The 2026-27 season promises to be one of the most competitive and balanced in Division III men’s volleyball history. With established programs now competing within their multi-sport conferences, student-athletes will benefit from increased stability, stronger regional rivalries, and enhanced championship opportunities.
For current high school volleyball players considering Division III opportunities, the landscape has never been more attractive. The combination of highly competitive volleyball, strong academic institutions, and championship pathways creates an environment where student-athletes can excel both on the court and in the classroom.
As Commissioner Colbert noted, these changes position Division III men’s volleyball programs “for stabilized success that maintains access to NCAA championships moving forward.” This emphasis on sustainability and student-athlete welfare reflects the best values of Division III athletics.
The growth from a handful of programs in the late 1990s to the robust conference structure taking shape for 2027 demonstrates the vitality and appeal of men’s volleyball at the Division III level. As these new conferences begin play in spring 2027, they will write the next chapter in what has already been a remarkable success story for the sport.
The future of Division III men’s volleyball is bright, competitive, and full of opportunity. Student-athletes, coaches, and fans alike have much to look forward to as this exciting new era begins.
For more information on Division III men’s volleyball, visit NCAA.com or conference websites.