Mercyhurst University will begin the reclassification process from NCAA Division II to Division I and join the Northeast Conference beginning with the 2024-25 academic year. The four-year reclassification process means Mercyhurst will not be a full Division I member eligible for NCAA Championships (FCS Playoffs) until the 2028-29 academic year. Located in Erie, Pennsylvania, Mercyhurst … Read more
The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is leaving the Western Athletic Conference to join the Southland Conference beginning with the 2024-25 academic year according to Pete Thamel. UTRGV will pay a $2 million exit fee to the WAC. The Vaqueros announced the start of a football program in late 2022 and were … Read more
Merrimack College will play an independent FCS schedule for the 2024 season alongside Sacred Heart. Both schools are leaving the Northeast Conference after the 2023-24 academic year and will join the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) in 2024-25. The MAAC discontinued football after the 2007 season and has not sponsored the sport since then. In … Read more
Sacred Heart will play an independent FCS schedule for the 2024 season as the school continues to assess its football affiliation options as first reported in mid-January and later confirmed by Craig Haley. The Pioneers previously announced they are leaving the Northeast Conference to join the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) beginning with the 2024-25 … Read more
Robert Morris is rejoining the Northeast Conference as a football-only member effective with the 2024 season. The return of the Colonials will help the NEC offset the recent departures of full-time members Sacred Heart and Merrimack. Robert Morris was a member of the NEC from 1996 through 2019 but left to join the Horizon League … Read more
The University of Delaware is set to become the most recent FCS team to leave for the FBS. The Fightin’ Blue Hens will leave the Coastal Athletic Association and join Conference USA beginning with the 2025-26 academic year, according to Pete Thamel of ESPN. Delaware will be considered an FCS independent team for the 2024 … Read more
Editor’s Note: On Thursday, January 25, 2024, it was reported that Sacred Heart would play the 2024 FCS season as an independent. On Tuesday, January 30, 2024, the Northeast Conference released its 2024 conference schedule, which confirmed that Sacred Heart and Merrimack will not be football-playing members in 2024. On March 7, 2024, it was … Read more
The NCAA has approved new requirements for FBS programs that will have a direct impact on current FCS schools looking to move up. The NCAA has increased the FBS application from $5,000 to $5 million, effective immediately. The NCAA also eliminated the attendance requirements for FBS schools effective immediately, which is a pyrrhic victory for … Read more
The University of West Georgia is moving up to the FCS ranks. The Georgia Board of Regents approved the move on Friday and the school will begin the four-year transition process to the ASUN beginning with the 2024-25 academic year. West Georgia’s football team will play in the United Athletic Conference, which is comprised of … Read more
The Bryant Bulldogs will join the Coastal Athletic Association as a football-only member starting with the 2024 season. Bryant is a full member of the America East Conference. The 2023 season will mark Bryant’s only season in the newly named Big South-OVC Football Association. The Bulldogs previously joined the Big South in football starting with … Read more