
Tradition with an Eye to the Future
Transitioning to the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) strengthens our priorities of academic excellence, principled competition, institutional collaboration, and the belief that athletics should reinforce the educational mission of higher education.
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Resources
Timelines
Mission
Hawks News
Transition Homepage
Transition FAQs
For Student-Athletes
Strengthening Our Mission
News Story
Press Release
Downloadable Info Sheets
For inquiries, email:
NEWMACtransition@anselm.edu
Looking Forward
DIII Reclassification
Soaring into a New Era
Saint Anselm College made an application to the NEWMAC because the conference represents the most natural long-term institutional and philosophical alignment for our athletics program and for the educational experience we seek to provide our students.
Our interest is rooted not simply in athletics competition, but in shared institutional priorities: academic excellence, principled competition, institutional collaboration, and the belief that athletics should reinforce the educational mission of higher education.
The NEWMAC has developed one of the strongest academic identities among NCAA conferences. Saint Anselm believes that joining this community would both reinforce the Institution’s academic profile and strengthen its long-term stability. The conference's emphasis on academic excellence, integrity in competition, and student development through athletics closely mirrors the values that guide Saint Anselm’s institutional culture.
The Division III philosophy of prioritizing academic balance, broad participation, and the integration of athletics into campus life represents the model that most authentically reflects Saint Anselm’s approach to educating the whole person.
NEWMAC Transition Resources
We have compiled several resources, including a transition timeline and a detailed FAQ page, to help answer questions about the transition to NEWMAC. We're here to help and encourage current student-athletes and recruits to seek clarity on individual circumstances.
Student, Family, & General Inquiries:NEWMACtransition@anselm.edu
Press/Media Inquiries:ppronovost@anselm.edu
Transition Timelines
This transition framework outlines a deliberate, phased approach for Saint Anselm College’s reclassification from Division II to Division III, designed to ensure institutional stability, student-athlete support, and NCAA compliance. For information specific to your class year, visit our For Student-Athletes page.
Phase/Status: Division II Athletic Aid Permitted
Conference: NE10
NCAA Eligibility / Notes: Division II, Northeast 10
Athletic Aid: Permitted
- Incoming Recruit Class (Fall 2026 - Spring 2027 Start): Athletic Aid Permitted
- Sophomore Class (Fall 2025 - Spring 2026 Start): Athletic Aid Permitted
- Junior Class (Fall 2024 - Spring 2025 Start): Athletic Aid Permitted
- Senior Class (Fall 2023 - Spring 2024 Start): Athletic Aid Permitted
Phase/Status: Division III Year 1 Transition
Conference: NEWMAC
NCAA Eligibility / Notes: Division III Transition, NEWMAC
Athletic Aid: Permitted
- Incoming Recruit Class (Fall 2027 - Spring 2028 Start): No New Athletic Aid Permitted
- Sophomore Class (Fall 2026 - Spring 2027 Start): Athletic Aid Permitted
- Junior Class (Fall 2025 - Spring 2026 Start): Athletic Aid Permitted
- Senior Class (Fall 2024 - Spring 2025 Start): Athletic Aid Permitted
Phase/Status: Division III Year 2 Reclassification
Conference: NEWMAC
NCAA Eligibility / Notes: Division III Reclassification, NEWMAC
Athletic Aid: Not Permitted**
- Incoming Recruit Class (Fall 2028 - Spring 2029 Start): No New Athletic Aid Permitted
- Sophomore Class (Fall 2027 - Spring 2028 Start): No Athletic Aid Permitted**
- Junior Class (Fall 2026 - Spring 2027 Start): No Athletic Aid Permitted**
- Senior Class (Fall 2025 - Spring 2026 Start): No Athletic Aid Permitted**
**Returning Saint Anselm student-athletes may retain athletic aid during the 2028-29 academic year and beyond, however, they will be ineligible from varsity intercollegiate athletic participation.
Non-athletic financial aid resources are available to support you. The Office of Financial Aid is committed to working with you to develop an alternative aid package to help you move forward with confidence in your decision-making process.
Phase/Status: (Waiver Available) Full NCAA DIII Eligible
Conference: NEWMAC
NCAA Eligibility / Notes: Full Division III, NCAA Eligible
Athletic Aid: Not Permitted**
- Incoming Recruit Class (Fall 2029 - Spring 2030 Start): No Athletic Aid Permitted
- Sophomore Class (Fall 2028 - Spring 2029 Start): No Athletic Aid Permitted**
- Junior Class (Fall 2027 - Spring 2028 Start): No Athletic Aid Permitted**
- Senior Class (Fall 2026 - Spring 2027 Start): No Athletic Aid Permitted**
**Returning Saint Anselm student-athletes may retain athletic aid during the 2028-29 academic year and beyond, however, they will be ineligible from varsity intercollegiate athletic participation.
Non-athletic financial aid resources are available to support you. The Office of Financial Aid is committed to working with you to develop an alternative aid package to help you move forward with confidence in your decision-making process.

Moving from a Position of Strength
This transition is about solidifying our future and ensuring that Saint Anselm Athletics remains strong, sustainable, and mission-driven for the next generations. NEWMAC aligns us with highly stable, mission-focused peer institutions who share Saint Anselm's academic rigor, values, and financial stability, providing a strong foundation for the future.
The NEWMAC model supports mental well-being and healthy balance, giving student-athletes the ability to excel in their sport and fully experience the academic, social, and spiritual life that makes Saint Anselm College special.
Hawks News

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