The Chicago State Cougars will officially kick off its football program in 2026. The first game is set for Saturday, August 29, 2026, against an opponent to be named later. Chicago State will play the 2026 season as an independent team and join the NEC in 2027. The movement towards a football program has been…
The 2025 FCS season is only weeks away and the current realignment cycle is still producing numerous changes that will impact the upcoming season. As we have done with the 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 seasons, below is a list of all the changes for the 2025 season and beyond. There’s a summarized list…
The University of New Haven is joining NCAA Division I beginning with the 2025-26 academic year. New Haven will become a member of the Northeast Conference but the football team’s addition to the NEC schedule is uncertain. From the press release, “New Haven will be integrated into NEC athletic schedules beginning with the 2025-26 academic…
The Saint Francis Red Flash will leave NCAA Division I and the FCS‘ Northeast Conference to join NCAA Division III after the 2025-26 academic year. Saint Francis will move to the NCAA Division III Presidents’ Athletic Conference beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. Saint Francis was a member of NCAA Division III from 1978 through…
Editor’s Note: On Tuesday, February 11, Chicago State announced it would begin the search for its first head coach with the goal of completing the process in the spring of 2025. CollegeAD originally reported in early February on CSU’s plan to hire a coach in the spring of 2025. The article has been updated to…
The Northeast Conference is planning to remove its 45 football scholarship limit, according to CollegeAD. The NEC will allow as many as 105 scholarships as outlined in the NCAA v. House settlement but one athletic director told CollegeAD that most schools are unlikely to offer more than 50. The maximum number of scholarships currently allowed…
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…
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…
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…
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…
