LATHAM, N.Y. – As a culmination of a months-long assessment and collaboration with the Atlantic East, the United East Conference is announcing the addition of Centenary University, Gwynedd Mercy University, Immaculata University, and Marymount University as full members, effective July 1, 2027. The addition of the four institutions will bring the conference's total core members to 17.
In recent months, presidents and commissioners from the Atlantic East and United East have been engaged in strategic discussions to evaluate the potential of maintaining two separate conferences in a way that would benefit the student-athlete experience for all conference members. While leadership from both conferences continue to believe that greater consideration for fair AQ access is needed for larger conferences, it became evident in the collaboration that having all athletic programs competing under one conference provided the most stable environment for member institutions and its student-athletes.
"First and foremost, I want to thank the presidents and chancellors from the Atlantic East and the United East for their work and commitment over the last nine months," said United East Commissioner, Stephanie Dutton. "While the outcome of our work differs from our initial goal, it was clear in every discussion that our campus leaders are most committed to ensuring their student-athletes have a positive conference experience in a stable and competitive environment. We look forward to welcoming these four institutions to the United East in 2027 and see this addition as another opportunity for our conference to continue evolving and innovating in ways that best support Division III student-athletes during a volatile time in higher education."
In the interim, the two conferences will remain committed to a strategic partnership in select sports for the 2026-27 academic year. Partnered sports for the upcoming year include Field Hockey, Men's and Women's Swimming & Diving, Men's & Women's Indoor Track & Field, Men's Volleyball, and Women's Lacrosse. Men's Lacrosse will join the list of partnered sports for Spring 2027 with the top team from each conference competing in a crossover championship for the Atlantic East automatic qualifier.
"On behalf of the United East Presidents' Council, we are pleased to welcome Centenary University, Gwynedd Mercy University, Immaculata University, and Marymount University to our conference," shared United East Presidents' Council Chair Dr. Wesley Fugate. "This decision reflects our shared commitment to placing student-athletes first and building a strong, stable future for our institutions and athletic programs. We are grateful for the thoughtful collaboration that brought us to this point and excited about the opportunities ahead to strengthen relationships, enhance competition, and provide an exceptional Division III experience across the United East."
"We are thrilled to be joining the schools in the United East Conference," said Deanne D. D'Emilio, President of Gwynedd Mercy University. "The larger conference will provide stability, a high level of competition, and overall enhanced experiences for our student-athletes. I am grateful to the leadership of the United East and Commissioner Dutton for their gracious welcome to GMercyU, Centenary University, Immaculata University, and Marymount University. We look forward to the many opportunities this new conference will offer."
Upon its return to 17 full members, the United East is projected to be one of the largest conferences in Division III. Sport sponsorship in the conference is also expected to increase to 23 sports with the United East adding Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving in 2027-28.
United East leadership will finalize the conference schedule structure and postseason format in the coming months to address institutional priorities and create operational efficiencies, with the conference exploring a return to a divisional structure. Any anticipated changes will be announced prior to the 2027-28 academic year.
