Saint Anselm College's golf and ice hockey programs will join the Little East Conference (LEC) as affiliate members starting in the 2027-28 academic year. This transition coincides with the college's shift from NCAA Division II to Division III, and the programs will be eligible for DIII championships by 2029-30. Saint Anselm's President, Dr. Michael Lewis, expressed excitement about joining a strong conference community, while the Director of Athletics, Phil Rowe, highlighted the positive competitive environment the LEC offers.

By the Numbers
  • Saint Anselm men's ice hockey has won 11 championships, the most in league history.
  • The women's ice hockey program has made six championship game appearances and has an all-time record of 410-172-40 (.691).
State of Play
  • Saint Anselm will transition to NCAA Division III in 2027-28 while also joining the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) as its primary conference.
  • The Little East Conference (LEC) will welcome these programs, increasing its membership in men's ice hockey to 10 and women's golf to 6, enhancing competitive opportunities.
What's Next

The upcoming transition presents Saint Anselm with an opportunity to develop both its golf and ice hockey programs in a competitive DIII landscape. As the Hawks work through the reclassification process, they aim to establish a strong foundation and relationships within the LEC community.

Bottom Line

Saint Anselm's entry into the Little East Conference marks a significant step for its athletics programs, promising new competitive opportunities and a commitment to excellence as they adapt to NCAA Division III.