East Coast Conference

The East Coast Conference (ECC) is a collegiate athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)'s Division II. Member institutions are located in the northeastern United States in the states of Connecticut and New York, as well as the District of Columbia.

For the former Division I conference, see East Coast Conference (Division I).
East Coast Conference
ECC
Established1989
AssociationNCAA
DivisionDivision II
Members10 (9 in 2022)
Sports fielded
  • 18
    • men's: 8
    • women's: 10
RegionNortheastern United States
HeadquartersCentral Islip, New York
CommissionerRobert Dranoff (since 2008)
Websiteeccsports.org
Locations

History
East Coast Conference
🌍
Location of ECC members: full

The East Coast Conference was founded in 1989 as the New York Collegiate Athletic Conference (NYCAC). Its charter members included Adelphi University (1989–2009), Concordia College (1989–2009), C.W. Post College (1989–2019), Dowling College (1989–2016), Mercy College (1989–present), Molloy College (1989–present), New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) (1989–2020), Pace University (1989–1997), Queens College (1989–present) and Southampton College of Long Island University (1989–2005).

Other members that joined were: University of Bridgeport (2000–2022), University of New Haven (2002–2008), New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) (1997–2000), Philadelphia University (1991–2005), College of Saint Rose (1991–2000), St. Thomas Aquinas College (2000–present), University of the District of Columbia (2011–present), Roberts Wesleyan College (2012–present), Daemen College (2013–present), D'Youville College (2020–present) and College of Staten Island (2020–present).

The ECC has become a lacrosse powerhouse, seeing six ECC teams win the Division II Men's Lacrosse championship over the past 10 years. In addition, at least 1 ECC team has competed in 13 the last 14 championship games. Recent ECC champions include Adelphi (1998, 1999, 2001), C.W. Post (1996, 2006 Tri-Champion), Dowling College (2006 Tri-Champion), NYIT (1997, 2003, 2005, 2008), and Mercyhurst College (2006 Tri-Champion, 2007)

Two changes to the conference membership were announced in the fall of 2018. First, it was announced on October 3, 2018 that Long Island University would unite its two athletic programs—the Division II LIU Post program and Division I program at LIU Brooklyn—into a single Division I program under the overall university name effective in 2019–20.[1] Second, it was announced on December 7, 2018 that beginning with the 2020 season (2019–20 school year), Frostburg State University will join the conference as an associate member in men's lacrosse, contingent on being accepted into Division II by the NCAA.[2]

The next change in conference membership was announced in March 2019, when the College of Staten Island (CSI), preparing to begin a transition from NCAA Division III, was accepted as a member effective with the 2020–21 school year.[3] The following August, Tusculum University was announced as a bowling affiliate, effective in 2019–20.[4] In March 2020, then-current Division III member D'Youville College was announced as a future member effective in 2020–21, contingent on NCAA approval of that school's transition to D-II;[5] the NCAA's acceptance was officially announced on July 10, 2020.[6]

In December 2021, the University of Bridgeport published its acceptance into the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference as its new member for the 2022–23 school year.[7]

Chronological timeline
  • 1989 - The East Coast Conference (ECC) was founded as the New York Collegiate Athletic Conference (NYCAC). Its charter members included Adelphi University, Concordia College of New York, Dowling College, the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University (LIU Post), Mercy College, Molloy College, the New York Institute of Technology (New York Tech or NYIT), Pace University, Queens College and Southampton College of Long Island University, effective beginning the 1989-90 academic year.
  • 1991 - The Philadelphia College of Textiles & Science (now Thomas Jefferson University) and the College of Saint Rose joined the NYCAC, effective in the 1991-92 academic year.
  • 1997 - Pace left the NYCAC to join the Northeast-10 Conference (NE-10), effective after the 1996-97 academic year.
  • 1997 - The New Jersey Institute of Technology (New Jersey Tech or NJIT) joined the NYCAC, effective in the 1997-98 academic year.
  • 2000 - Two institutions left the NYCAC to join their respective new home primary conferences: New Jersey Tech (NJIT) to join the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) and Saint Rose to join the NE-10, both effective after the 1999-2000 academic year.
  • 2000 - The University of Bridgeport and St. Thomas Aquinas College joined the NYCAC, effective in the 2000-01 academic year.
  • 2002 - The University of New Haven joined the NYCAC, effective in the 2002-03 academic year.
  • 2005 - Two institutions left the NYCAC to join their respective new home primary conferences: Philadelphia to join the CACC, and LIU–Southampton to discontinue its athletic program and close the school, both effective after the 2004-05 academic year.
  • 2005 - Mercyhurst University joined the NYCAC as an affiliate member for men's lacrosse, effective in the 2006 spring season (2005-06 academic year).
  • 2006 - The NYCAC has been renamed as the East Coast Conference (ECC), effective in the 2006-07 academic year.
  • 2006 - Dominican College of New York joined the ECC as an affiliate member for men's lacrosse, effective in the 2007 spring season (2006-07 academic year).
  • 2008 - Adelphi left the ECC to join the NE-10, effective after the 2007-08 academic year.
  • 2009 - Two institutions left the ECC to join their respective new home primary conferences: Adelphi to join the NE-10, and Concordia (N.Y.) to join the CACC, both effective after the 2008-09 academic year.
  • 2009 - Four institutions joined the ECC as affiliate members: Chestnut Hill College and Wheeling Jesuit University for only men's lacrosse, Lake Erie College and Seton Hill University for men's and women's lacrosse, all effective in the 2010 spring season (2009-10 academic year).
  • 2011 - The University of the District of Columbia joined the ECC, effective in the 2011-12 academic year.
  • 2012 - Three institutions left the ECC as affiliate members: Lake Erie and Seton Hill for men's and women's lacrosse for men's lacrosse, and Mercyhurst and Wheeling Jesuit for only men's lacrosse, all effective after the 2012 spring season (2011-12 academic year).
  • 2012 - Roberts Wesleyan College joined the ECC, effective in the 2012-13 academic year.
  • 2012 - Georgian Court University joined the ECC as an affiliate member for men's & women's indoor track & field, effective in the 2007 spring season (2006-07 academic year).
  • 2013 - Daemen College joined the ECC, effective in the 2013-14 academic year.
  • 2015 - Felician University, Franklin Pierce University and Kutztown University of Pennsylvania joined the ECC as affiliate members for bowling (with Adelphi re-joining for that sport), effective in the 2016 spring season (2015-16 academic year).
  • 2016 - Dowling left the ECC to announce that the school would close, effective after the 2015-16 academic year.
  • 2016 - Three institutions joined the ECC as affiliate members: Holy Family University for men's and women's indoor track & field, and Lincoln Memorial University and Salem University for bowling, all effective in the 2017 spring season (2016-17 academic year).
  • 2017 - Three institutions left the ECC as affiliate members: Chestnut Hill and Dominican (N.Y.) for men's lacrosse, and Salem for bowling, all effective after the 2017 spring season (2016-17 academic year).
  • 2017 - Wilmington University of Delaware joined the ECC as an affiliate member for bowling (with Chestnut Hill re-joining for that sport), effective in the 2018 spring season (2017-18 academic year).
  • 2018 - Franklin Pierce left the ECC as an affiliate member for bowling, effective after the 2018 spring season (2017-18 academic year).
  • 2018 - Bloomfield College and Caldwell University joined the ECC as affiliate members for bowling, effective in the 2019 spring season (2018-19 academic year).
  • 2019 - LIU–Post left the ECC to announce that the school would merge with LIU–Brooklyn to unify its athletic programs, effective after the 2018-19 academic year.
  • 2019 - Three institutions joined the ECC as affiliate members: Frostburg State University for men's lacrosse, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania for baseball and women's soccer, and Tusculum University for bowling, all effective in the 2020 spring season (2019-20 academic year).
  • 2020 - New York Tec (NYIT) left the ECC to announce that the school would suspend its athletic programs until further notice (at least two years), effective after the 2019-20 academic year.
  • 2020 - D'Youville College and the College of Staten Island joined the ECC, effective in the 2020-21 academic year.
  • 2021 - Lincoln Memorial and Tusculum left the ECC as affiliate members for bowling, effective after the 2021 spring season (2020-21 academic year).
  • 2022 - Bridgeport announced that it will leave the ECC to join the CACC, effective after the 2021-22 academic year.
  • 2022 - Saint Anselm College will join the ECC as an affiliate member for bowling, effective beginning the 2022-23 academic year.

Member schools

Current members

The ECC currently has ten full members, all but three are private schools. Reclassifying members in yellow. Departing members in red:

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined Colors
University of Bridgeport Bridgeport, Connecticut 1927 Nonsectarian 5,543 Purple Knights 2000    
Daemen College Amherst, New York 1947 Nonsectarian 2,100 Wildcats 2013    
University of the District of Columbia Washington, D.C. 1851 Public (HBCU) 5,471 Firebirds 2011    
D'Youville College Buffalo, New York 1946 Catholic 2,900 Saints 2020    
Mercy College Dobbs Ferry, New York 1950 Nonsectarian 10,000 Mavericks 1989    
Molloy College Rockville Centre, New York 1955 Catholic 3,533 Lions 1989    
Queens College Queens, New York 1937 Public 17,639 Knights 1989    
Roberts Wesleyan College Rochester, New York 1866 Free Methodist 2,000 Redhawks 2012    
St. Thomas Aquinas College Sparkill, New York 1952 Catholic 2,400 Spartans 2000    
College of Staten Island Staten Island, New York 1956 Public 13,798 Dolphins 2020    


Affiliate members

The ECC currently has 12 affiliate members, all but three are private schools:

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined Colors ECC
sport(s)		 Primary
conference
Adelphi University Garden City, New York 1896 Nonsectarian 8,110 Panthers 2015–16[lower-alpha 1]     bowling Northeast-10 (NE-10)
Bloomfield College Bloomfield, New Jersey 1868 Presbyterian 2,100 Bears 2018–19     bowling Central Atlantic (CACC)
Caldwell University Caldwell, New Jersey 1939 Catholic 1,800 Cougars 2018–19     bowling Central Atlantic (CACC)
Chestnut Hill College Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1924 Catholic 2,301 Griffins 2017–18     bowling Central Atlantic (CACC)
Felician University Rutherford, New Jersey 1923 Catholic 2,109 Golden Falcons 2015–16     bowling Central Atlantic (CACC)
Frostburg State University[lower-alpha 2] Frostburg, Maryland 1898 Public 5,215 Bobcats 2019–20     men's lacrosse Mountain East
Georgian Court University Lakewood, New Jersey 1908 Catholic 3,153 Lions 2012–13m.i.t.f.
2013–14w.i.t.f.		     men's indoor track & field;
women's indoor track & field[lower-alpha 3]		 Central Atlantic (CACC)
Holy Family University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1954 Catholic 2,100 Tigers 2016–17m.i.t.f.
2016–17w.i.t.f.		     men's indoor track & field;
women's indoor track & field		 Central Atlantic (CACC)
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown, Pennsylvania 1866 Public
(PASSHE)		 10,634 Golden Bears 2015–16     bowling Pennsylvania (PSAC)
Lincoln University Chester County, Pennsylvania 1854 State-related
(HBCU)		 2,376 Lions 2019–20bs.;
2019–20w.soc.		     baseball;
women's soccer		 Central (CIAA)
Mercyhurst University[lower-alpha 4] Erie, Pennsylvania 1926 Catholic 3,217 Lakers 2019–20     bowling Pennsylvania (PSAC)
Wilmington University New Castle, Delaware 1968 Nonsectarian 3,300 Wildcats 2017–18     bowling Central Atlantic (CACC)
Notes
  1. Adelphi was a full member of the ECC from 1989–90 to 2008–09.
  2. Currently reclassifying from NCAA Division III.
  3. Georgian Court also competed in the ECC as an affiliate member for women's outdoor track & field in the 2012–13 school year.
  4. Mercyhurst competed in the ECC as an affiliate member for men's lacrosse from 2005–06 to 2011–12.

Future affiliate member

The ECC will have one new affiliate member, which will also be a private school:

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joining Colors ECC
sport		 Primary
conference
Saint Anselm College Goffstown, New Hampshire 1889 Catholic 1,945 Hawks 2022–23     bowling Northeast-10 (NE-10)

Former members

The ECC had ten former full members, all but one were private schools:

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined Left Current
conference
Adelphi University[lower-alpha 1] Garden City, New York 1896 Nonsectarian 8,110 Panthers 1989–90 2008–09 Northeast-10 (NE-10)
Concordia College Bronxville, New York 1881 Lutheran LCMS N/A Clippers 1989–90 2008–09 Closed in 2021[lower-alpha 2]
Dowling College Oakdale, New York 1963 Nonsectarian N/A Golden Lions 1989–90 2015–16 Closed in 2016
Long Island University–Post Brookville, New York 1954 Nonsectarian 8,472 Pioneers 1989–90 2018–19 Northeast (NEC)
(NCAA D-I)[lower-alpha 3]
University of New Haven West Haven, Connecticut 1920 Nonsectarian 6,400 Chargers 2002–03 2007–08 Northeast-10 (NE-10)
New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, New Jersey 1881 Public 11,652 Highlanders 1997–98 1999–2000 America East
(NCAA D-I)
New York Institute of Technology Old Westbury, New York 1955 Nonsectarian 9,930 Bears 1989–90 2019–20 N/A[lower-alpha 4]
Pace University Manhattan, New York 1906 Nonsectarian 12,772 Setters 1989–90 1996–97 Northeast-10 (NE-10)
Philadelphia University[lower-alpha 5] Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1884 Nonsectarian 3,540 Rams 1991–92 2004–05 Central Atlantic (CACC)
College of Saint Rose Albany, New York 1920 Catholic 4,863 Golden Knights 1991–92 1999–2000 Northeast-10 (NE-10)
Southampton College of Long Island University Southampton, New York 1963 Nonsectarian N/A Colonials 1989–90 2004–05 Closed in 2005[lower-alpha 6]
Notes
  1. Adelphi remains in the ECC as an affiliate member for bowling.
  2. Concordia (N.Y.)'s campus was later sold to nearby Iona College.[8]
  3. Long Island University merged the Post athletic program with the NCAA Division I program of its Brooklyn campus in 2019. The merged program inherited the Division I membership of the Brooklyn campus, and now competes in the Northeast Conference as the LIU Sharks.
  4. As of July 1st, 2021, New York Tech (NYIT) suspended its athletic program after the 2019–20 school year.
  5. Merged with Thomas Jefferson University, a healthcare-only institution with no athletic program, in 2017. The PhilaU athletic program, now branded as "Jefferson", moved in its entirety to the merged institution.
  6. LIU Southampton's campus was later sold to Stony Brook University in 2006.[9]

Former affiliate members

The ECC had ten former affiliate members, all but one were private schools:

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined Left ECC
sport(s)		 Primary
conference
Chestnut Hill College Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1924 Catholic 2,301 Griffins 2009–10 2016–17 men's lacrosse Central Atlantic (CACC)
Dominican College Orangeburg, New York 1952 Catholic 1,998 Chargers 2006–07 2016–17 men's lacrosse Central Atlantic (CACC)
Franklin Pierce University Rindge, New Hampshire 1962 Nonsectarian 2,871 Ravens 2015–16 2017–18 bowling Northeast-10 (NE-10)
Lake Erie College Painesville, Ohio 1856 Nonsectarian 1,177 Storm 2009–10 2011–12 men's lacrosse;
women's lacrosse		 Great Midwest (G-MAC)[lower-alpha 1]
Lincoln Memorial University Harrogate, Tennessee 1897 Nonsectarian 4,867 Railsplitters 2016–17 2020–21 bowling South Atlantic (SAC)
Mercyhurst University[lower-alpha 2] Erie, Pennsylvania 1926 Catholic 3,217 Lakers 2005–06 2011–12 men's lacrosse Pennsylvania (PSAC)
Salem University Salem, West Virginia 1888 For-profit 835 Tigers 2016–17 2016–17 bowling D-II Independent
Seton Hill University Greensburg, Pennsylvania 1883 Catholic 2,014 Griffins 2009–10 2011–12 men's lacrosse;
women's lacrosse		 Pennsylvania (PSAC)[lower-alpha 3]
Tusculum University Tusculum, Tennessee 1794 Presbyterian 2.053 Pioneers 2019–20 2020–21 bowling South Atlantic (SAC)
Wheeling Jesuit University[lower-alpha 4] Wheeling, West Virginia 1954 Catholic 1,600 Cardinals 2009–10 2011–12 men's lacrosse Mountain East
Notes
  1. During their tenure as an affiliate member of the ECC, Lake Erie's primary home conference was being an NCAA D-II Independent during the 2009–10 season, and in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) for 2010–11 and 2011–12.
  2. Mercyhurst remains in the ECC as an affiliate member for bowling.
  3. During their tenure as an affiliate member of the ECC, Seton Hill's primary home conference was the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC).
  4. Currently known as Wheeling University since 2019.


Membership timeline
Saint Anselm CollegeCollege of Staten IslandD'Youville CollegeTusculum UniversityLincoln University (Pennsylvania)Frostburg State UniversityCaldwell UniversityBloomfield CollegeWilmington UniversityHoly Family UniversitySalem UniversityLincoln Memorial UniversityKutztown University of PennsylvaniaFranklin Pierce UniversityFelician UniversityDaemen CollegeRoberts Wesleyan CollegeGeorgian Court UniversityUniversity of the District of ColumbiaWheeling UniversitySeton Hill UniversityLake Erie CollegeChestnut Hill CollegeDominican College (New York)Mercyhurst UniversityUniversity of New HavenSt. Thomas Aquinas CollegeUniversity of BridgeportNew Jersey Institute of TechnologyCollege of Saint RoseThomas Jefferson UniversityStony Brook SouthamptonQueens College, City University of New YorkPace UniversityNew York Institute of TechnologyMolloy CollegeMercy College (New York)LIU PostDowling CollegeConcordia College (New York)Adelphi University

 Full member (all sports)   Full member (non-football)   Associate member (football-only)   Associate member (sport) 

Sports
See also: East Coast Conference (Division II) Men's Basketball Tournament and East Coast Conference (Division II) Women's Basketball Tournament

The East Coast Conference sponsors intercollegiate athletic competition in the following sports:

Conference sports
SportMen'sWomen's
BaseballY
BasketballYY
BowlingY
Cross countryYY
LacrosseYY
SoccerYY
SoftballY
TennisYY
Track & field indoorYY
Track & field outdoorYY
VolleyballY

Men's sponsored sports by school
School Baseball Basketball Cross
country		 Lacrosse Soccer Tennis Track
& field
indoor		 Track
& field
outdoor		 Total
ECC
sports
Bridgeport Y Y Y Y 4
Daemen Y Y Y Y Y Y 6
District of Columbia Y Y Y Y 4
D'Youville Y Y Y Y Y 5
Mercy Y Y Y Y 4
Molloy Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 7
Queens Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 7
Roberts Wesleyan Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 7
St. Thomas Aquinas Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 8
Staten Island Y Y Y Y Y Y 6
Totals 7 10 8 6 10 5 6 6 58
Affiliate members
Frostburg State Y 1
Georgian Court Y 1
Holy Family Y 1
Lincoln (PA) Y 1

Women's sponsored sports by school
School Basketball Bowling [lower-alpha 1] Cross
country		 Lacrosse Soccer Softball Tennis Track
& field
indoor		 Track
& field
outdoor		 Volleyball Total
ECC
sports
Bridgeport Y Y Y Y Y Y 6
Daemen Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 8
District of Columbia Y Y Y Y Y Y 6
D'Youville Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 8
Mercy Y Y Y Y Y 5
Molloy Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 10
Queens Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 9
Roberts Wesleyan Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 8
St. Thomas Aquinas Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 9
Staten Island Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 7
Totals 10 5 9 8 9 7 6 7 7 8 76
Affiliate members
Adelphi Y 1
Bloomfield Y 1
Caldwell Y 1
Chestnut Hill Y 1
Felician Y 1
Georgian Court Y 1
Holy Family Y 1
Kutztown Y 1
Lincoln (PA) Y 1
Mercyhurst Y 1
Wilmington Y 1
  1. De facto Division I sport. The NCAA sponsors a single national bowling championship open to members of all three divisions.

Other sponsored sports by school
School Men Women
Football[lower-alpha 1] Golf Swimming
& diving		 Volleyball [lower-alpha 2] Wrestling Fencing [lower-alpha 2] Field
Hockey		 Golf Gymnastics [lower-alpha 2] Rowing Swimming
& diving
Bridgeport METS ECAC METS
Daemen IND IND
D'Youville IND
Mercy ECAC
Molloy IND
Queens METS NIWFA METS
Roberts Wesleyan IND IND
St. Thomas Aquinas CSFL IND IND
Staten Island METS METS
  1. Although football is an official NCAA sport, the only ECC member with a football program, St. Thomas Aquinas, plays sprint football, a weight-restricted variant that is not governed by the NCAA.
  2. De facto Division I sport. The NCAA conducts a combined Division I/II championship in men's volleyball, and a single championship open to members of all three divisions in fencing and women's gymnastics.

References
  1. "Long Island University Announces Unification Into One LIU Division I Program" (Press release). LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds. October 3, 2018. Archived from the original on October 11, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  2. "ECC Adds Frostburg State University as Men's Lacrosse Associate Members". Frostburg State University Athletics (Press release). West Babylon, New York: East Coast Conference. December 7, 2018. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
  3. "ECC Accepts College of Staten Island as League's 10th Member" (Press release). East Coast Conference. March 1, 2019. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  4. "Tusculum Joins ECC as Women's Bowling Associate Member" (Press release). East Coast Conference. August 23, 2019. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  5. "ECC to Add D'Youville as Conference's 11th Member" (Press release). East Coast Conference. March 3, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  6. "Division II Announcement" (Press release). D'Youville Saints. July 10, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  7. "University Of Bridgeport Unanimously Accepted Into The Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference". UB Purple Knights. December 15, 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  8. Whitford, Emma (January 29, 2021). "Another Concordia College Closes". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  9. "Stony Brook University Completes Purchase of Former Southampton College Property". Stony Brook University. 4 October 2006. Retrieved 2007-07-01.
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