Centenary University to Join Expanded United East Conference in 2027
August 6, 2026
Centenary University | Hackettstown, New Jersey
Centenary University will join the United East Conference effective July 1, 2027, expanding competitive and championship opportunities for its NCAA Division III student-athletes.
Centenary will enter the conference alongside Gwynedd Mercy University, Immaculata University and Marymount University. The additions will create a 17-member conference sponsoring competition across 23 sports, making the United East one of the largest conferences in Division III.
The transition follows months of planning and evaluation by leaders from the Atlantic East Conference, the United East Conference, and their member institutions. The expanded conference will provide long-term stability, strengthen regional competition, and create opportunities for new scheduling and divisional models.
“Joining the United East Conference is a strategic investment in the future of Centenary athletics,” said Dan Armida, Centenary’s Director of Athletics. “This move will provide our student-athletes with an expanded competitive platform, increased visibility, and greater opportunities to pursue conference and national recognition. The United East shares our commitment to the Division III model, where athletic excellence and academic achievement go hand in hand.”
Membership in the United East will also help Centenary foster regional rivalries while maintaining its focus on student well-being, academic achievement, and a balanced student-athlete experience.
Centenary will enter the conference following one of the strongest competitive years in the university’s athletics history. The Cyclones celebrated a national champion, five student-athletes who earned regional podium finishes and two who advanced to national competition. Seven student-athletes earned Academic All-America honors, baseball finished first in its division, and the equestrian program achieved a No. 3 national ranking and received national recognition for sportsmanship.
“These accomplishments reflect the dedication of our student-athletes, coaches and staff and demonstrate the momentum within Centenary athletics,” Armida said. “We look forward to building on that success as a member of the United East.”
Centenary University President John Schol said the move supports the university’s broader commitment to student success.
“Our decision to join the United East Conference reflects Centenary University’s commitment to providing exceptional opportunities for our students inside and outside the classroom,” Schol said. “The United East offers a strong and sustainable future for our athletic programs while aligning with our values of student development, leadership, and community. This move strengthens our ability to attract talented student-athletes, enhances the university’s visibility and positions Centenary for continued success in an evolving collegiate athletics landscape.”
Conference and institutional leaders determined that a unified structure would provide the strongest and most sustainable environment for their student-athletes. By bringing together institutions with shared values and a commitment to Division III athletics, the expanded United East will be positioned as one of the region’s leading athletic conferences.
Until the transition becomes official in July 2027, the Atlantic East and United East conferences will continue their strategic partnership in selected sports, ensuring student-athletes have access to meaningful competition and championship opportunities throughout the transition.
For Centenary, the move represents more than a change in conference affiliation. It is a long-term investment in Cyclone athletics and the university’s mission to prepare students to lead, succeed and make a meaningful impact in their communities.
HACKETTSTOWN, NJ, ARTICLE CONTENT
ABOUT CENTENARY UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1867 by the United Methodist Church, Centenary University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs grounded in a strong liberal arts foundation and career-focused learning. Located in Hackettstown, New Jersey, with an equestrian center in Washington Township, Centenary provides students with hands-on, personalized educational experiences that prepare them for success in a global and evolving workforce. Guided by its commitment to student success, university vitality, and world engagement, Centenary empowers students to lead lives of purpose, impact, and lifelong achievement.
ABOUT THE UNITED EAST
The United East Conference is home to 13 member institutions which compete at the highest level of NCAA Division III athletics. Founded in 2004 as the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC), the United East has seen its membership evolve to one that now encompasses schools in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia. In addition to ranging from urban to rural campuses, the United East prides itself on being one of the most diverse conferences in Division III. It is comprised of both public and private schools as well as faith-based institutions, technical colleges, and the largest deaf and hard-of-hearing institution in the United States. The 14 core members consist of Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Brandywine, Penn State Harrisburg, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and Wilson College