BEVERLY, Mass. – Commissioner of the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Patrick Colbert and Executive Director of the NEWMAC Patrick B. Summers are pleased to announce a football alliance between the two leagues, which includes a future scheduling initiative and a postseason bowl game.
The scheduling initiative, starting as early as 2025, secures non-conference opponents for both leagues, guaranteeing each institution at least one non-conference opponent per season.
The postseason bowl game - with name and sponsorship to be determined - will begin during the 2024 season and feature the first available team from each league, pending NCAA automatic qualifiers and at-large selections. Host sites will be determined by the Conferences.
“Today is an important day for our Conference and football in our region as this partnership emphasizes collaboration towards a common goal of providing guaranteed, high-quality regional non-conference opportunities coupled with a bowl game experience,” Colbert said. “Our membership immediately saw the value in this partnership, and I look forward to working with Executive Director Summers and his staff on continuing to collectively elevate our brands of football.”
Currently, the CCC includes six football institutions: Curry College, Endicott College, Husson University, Nichols College, University of New England and Western New England University. Maine Maritime Academy and New England College will join the Conference as associate members for football in 2025, bringing the total to eight members.
The NEWMAC has eight football members in MIT, Norwich University, Salve Regina University, Springfield College, SUNY Maritime College, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and WPI.
“The NEWMAC - CCC Alliance focuses on stabilizing Division III Football in New England and providing a postseason opportunity for our programs and student-athletes. The alliance also guarantees a non-conference schedule within the New England footprint to all NEWMAC and CCC members in a time where it is increasingly more difficult to get non-conference games,” said Summers. “We are excited to begin this partnership with the CCC. I'd like to thank CCC Commissioner Patrick Colbert for his forward thinking and willingness to collaborate with the NEWMAC.”
ABOUT THE COMMONWEALTH COAST CONFERENCE
The Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC), founded in 1984, is an NCAA Division III athletic conference composed of 10 full member and two associate member institutions throughout the New England region. Its membership aims to provide student-athletes with a positive experience in their pursuit of excellence through high academic standards, quality competition and a meaningful student life. The Conference administers Championships in 20 intercollegiate sports.
Tune into the CCC Sports Network to watch contests live from around the league. Follow Conference news on
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ABOUT THE NEWMAC
The NEWMAC is an association of 12 selective academic institutions: Babson College, Clark University, U.S Coast Guard Academy, Emerson College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mount Holyoke College, Salve Regina University, Smith College, Springfield College, Wellesley College, Wheaton College, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, that are committed to providing high quality competitive athletic opportunities for student-athletes within an educational and respectful environment that embodies the NCAA Division III Philosophy. The conference also partners with four Associate Members: Norwich University (Football), Simmons College (Rowing), SUNY Maritime College (Football), and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Football), while sponsoring 20 sports.