Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference
AssociationNCAA
Founded1971
CommissionerAngela Baumann (since 2006)
Sports fielded
  • 16
    • men's: 8
    • women's: 8
DivisionDivision III
No. of teams8 full + 1 full (in 2025-26), 4 associate + 4 future associate (3 in 2024-25, 1 in 2025-26)
CountryUnited States
HeadquartersWestfield, Massachusetts
RegionMassachusetts and New England (with associates)
Official websitewww.mascac.com
Locations
Location of teams in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference

The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) is an intercollegiate athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division III. Full member institutions are all located in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with some affiliate members also located in Connecticut and New Hampshire.

All full members are a part of the Massachusetts State Universities system (every member in the Massachusetts State Universities system except the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) is also a MASCAC member)[1] and the public associate members are part of the University of Massachusetts System (UMASS System (UMASS Dartmouth)), the University System of New Hampshire (Plymouth State University), and the Connecticut State University System (Western Connecticut State University) respectively. The rest of the associate members are private colleges.

On October 5, 2023 it was announced that in the 2025-26 school year, Anna Maria College in Paxton, Massachusetts will become the first private full member in the 53 year history of the MASCAC and the first new full member since 1974.[2]

History

Chronological timeline

Member schools

Current members

The MASCAC currently has eight full members, all are public schools:

Institution Location Founded Affiliation[a] Enrollment Endowment
(millions) 		Nickname Joined Colors
Bridgewater State University[b] Bridgewater, Massachusetts 1840 Public[c] 10,651 $54.0 Bears 1971–72      
Fitchburg State University Fitchburg, Massachusetts 1894 4,659 $19.9 Falcons 1971–72    
Framingham State University Framingham, Massachusetts 1839 4,111 $35.4[d] Rams 1971–72    
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts[e][b] North Adams, Massachusetts 1894 1,202 $14.7 Trailblazers 1971–72    
Massachusetts Maritime Academy[f][b] Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts 1891 1,637 $13.1[g] Buccaneers 1974–75    
Salem State University[e] Salem, Massachusetts 1854 7,242 $25.3 Vikings 1971–72      
Westfield State University Westfield, Massachusetts 1838 5,396 $20.0[h] Owls 1971–72      
Worcester State University Worcester, Massachusetts 1874 5,724 $34.5 Lancers 1971–72    
Notes
  1. ^ Any school that's a private school will be classified based on a religious affiliation; unless it had none, hence being nonsectarian.
  2. ^ a b c School does not sponsor ice hockey.
  3. ^ Part of the Massachusetts State Universities System.[10]
  4. ^ Actual amount in endowment is $35,385,907.
  5. ^ a b School does not sponsor football.
  6. ^ School does not sponsor men's or women's basketball.
  7. ^ Actual amount in endowment is $13,051,554.
  8. ^ Actual amount in endowment is $20,002,999.

Associate members

The MASCAC currently has eight associate members, all but three are private schools:

Institution Location Founded Affiliation[a] Enrollment Endowment
(millions) 		Nickname Joined Colors MASCAC
sport 		Primary
conference
Plymouth State University Plymouth, New Hampshire 1871 Public[b] 4,491 $28.9 Panthers 2009–10m.i.h.,
2013–14fb. 		    men's ice hockey,
football 		Little East (LEC)
Springfield College Springfield, Massachusetts 1885 Nonsectarian 3,621 $79.6 Pride 2019–20     men's golf New England (NEWMAC)
University of Massachusetts–Dartmouth Dartmouth, Massachusetts 1895 Public[c] 8,513 $59.0 Corsairs 2009–10m.i.h.,
2013–14fb. 		    men's ice hockey,
football 		Little East (LEC)
Western Connecticut State University Danbury, Connecticut 1903 Public[d] 5,246 $12.8 Wolves 2013–14     football Little East (LEC)
Notes
  1. ^ Any school that's a private school will be classified based on a religious affiliation; unless it had none, hence being nonsectarian.
  2. ^ Part of the University System of New Hampshire.
  3. ^ Part of the University of Massachusetts System.
  4. ^ Part of the Connecticut State University System.

Future full member

Institution Location Founded Affiliation[a] Enrollment Endowment
(millions) 		Nickname Joining Colors Previous
conference
Anna Maria College Paxton, Massachusetts 1946 Catholic
(S.S.A.) 		1,500 $7.2 Amcats 2025–26    Great Northeast (GNAC)

Future associate members

The MASCAC will have three future associate members, one of which will be a public school:[7][8] two of which will be privates

Institution Location Founded Affiliation[a] Enrollment Endowment
(millions) 		Nickname Joining Colors MASCAC
sport 		Primary
conference
Anna Maria College Paxton, Massachusetts 1946 Catholic
(S.S.A.) 		1,500 $7.2 Amcats 2024–25    men's ice hockey Great Northeast (GNAC) (MASCAC in 2025-26)
Dean College Franklin, Massachusetts 1865 Nonsectarian 1,355 $42.1 Bulldogs 2025-26     football Great Northeast (GNAC)
Rivier University Nashua, New Hampshire 1933 Catholic
(S.P.M.) 		2,520 $41 Raiders 2024–25    men's ice hockey Great Northeast (GNAC)
Vermont State University at Castleton
(Castleton University) 		Castleton, Vermont 1787 Public[b] 2,399 $7.86 Spartans 2024–25     football Little East (LEC)
Notes
  1. ^ a b Any school that's a private school will be classified based on a religious affiliation; unless it had none, hence being nonsectarian.
  2. ^ Vermont State Colleges System.

Former members

The MASCAC had two former full members, both were public schools:

Institution Location Founded Affiliation[a] Enrollment Nickname Joined Left Colors Current
conference
Boston State College Boston, Massachusetts 1872 Public 11,000[11] Warriors 1971 1982 N/A N/A[b]
Lowell State College Lowell, Massachusetts 1894 Public 2,353[12] Indians[13][14] 1971 1975 N/A N/A[c]
Notes
  1. ^ Any school that's a private school will be classified based on a religious affiliation; unless it had none, hence being nonsectarian.
  2. ^ Boston State was merged into the University of Massachusetts–Boston.
  3. ^ Lowell State was merged into the University of Massachusetts–Lowell.

Former associate members

The MASCAC had one former associate member, which was also a private school:

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Endowment Nickname Joined Left Colors MASCAC
sport 		Primary
conference
Dean College Franklin, Massachusetts 1865 Nonsectarian 1,355 $42.1 Bulldogs 2019–20 2019–20     men's golf Great Northeast (GNAC)
Eastern Nazarene College Quincy, Massachusetts 1900 Nazarene 772 $18.0 Lions 2019–20 2023-24    men's golf North Atlantic Conference (NAC)
Elms College Chicopee, Massachusetts 1928 Catholic
(S.S.J.) 		1,217 $12.0 Blazers 2019–20 2021-22 N/A men's golf Great Northeast (GNAC)
Mitchell College New London, Connecticut 1938 Nonsectarian 572 $6.1 Mariners 2019–20 2023-24     men's golf Great Northeast (GNAC)
New England College Henniker, New Hampshire 1946 Nonsectarian 4,327 $24.9 Pligrims 2021–22 2023-24 N/A men's golf Great Northeast (GNAC)

Membership timeline

Castleton UniversityRivier UniversityAnna Maria CollegeNew England CollegeSpringfield CollegeMitchell CollegeElms CollegeEastern Nazarene CollegeDean CollegeWestern Connecticut State UniversityPlymouth State CollegeUniversity of Massachusetts–DartmouthMassachusetts Maritime AcademyWorcester State UniversityWestfield State UniversitySalem State UniversityMassachusetts College of Liberal ArtsLowell State CollegeFramingham State UniversityFitchburg State UniversityBridgewater State UniversityBoston State College
Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference
Map
[Interactive fullscreen map + nearby articles]
Locations of MASCAC members, 2021-2022 full, current associate future associate former full former associate Red text = college no longer exists

Sports

See also: MASCAC men's basketball tournament

See also: MASCAC Men's Hockey Tournament

The MASCAC sponsors intercollegiate athletic competition in men's baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, women's field hockey, men's ice hockey, men's golf, men's and women's soccer, women's softball, men's and women's track and field, and women's volleyball.

The MASCAC sponsored football for the first time in 2013. Conference members Bridgewater State, Fitchburg State, Framingham State, Massachusetts Maritime, Westfield State, and Worcester State departed the New England Football Conference (NEFC) (now Commonwealth Coast Football) after the 2012 season. They were joined later by fellow NEFC opponents Plymouth State, UMass–Dartmouth, and Western Connecticut State.[15] The NEFC retained the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs.

On August 22, 2019, the MASCAC invited 5 of the recently dropped men's golf members from the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) which includes Dean College, Eastern Nazarene College, Elms College, Mitchell College, and Springfield College; all of them are private colleges which is the first time that the MASCAC awarded membership to private colleges.[16][17][18] The 5 private colleges joined the other men's golf sponsoring MASCAC schools from the NECC which includes MCLA, Salem State, Westfield State, and Worcester State to create a 9-team men's golf league. However Dean College men's golf left the MASCAC after the 2019-20 men's golf season to join their primary conference the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) in men's golf. The MASCAC started Automatic Qualification (AQ) to the NCAA Division III Men's Golf Championships in the 2021–2022 season for the MASCAC men's golf tournament winner.[16]

Men's sports

School Baseball Basketball Cross
Country 		Football Golf Ice
Hockey 		Lacrosse Rowing[a] Sailing[a] Soccer Swimming
& Diving[a] 		Tennis[a] Track &
Field
(Indoor) 		Track &
Field
(Outdoor) 		Wrestling[a] Total
MASCAC
Sports[b]
Bridgewater State Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 10
Fitchburg State Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN 8
Framingham State Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN 6
MCLA Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Red XN[c] Green tickY Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN 7
Mass Maritime Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN 8
Salem State Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN 7
Westfield State Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN 8
Worcester State Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN 9
Totals 8 7 7 6+3[d] 4+5 5+2 3 1 1 8 1 3 3 5 1 63+10[d]
Affiliate Members
Eastern Nazarene Green tickY 1
Elms Green tickY 1
Mitchell Green tickY 1
New England College Green tickY 1
Plymouth State Green tickY Green tickY 2
Springfield Green tickY 1
UMass–Dartmouth Green tickY Green tickY 2
Western Connecticut Green tickY 1
Vermont State at Castleton Green tickY[e] 1[e]
Notes
  1. ^ a b c d e This sport is not sanctioned by the MASCAC.
  2. ^ Includes the non-sanctioned MASCAC sports.
  3. ^ Will join in the 2023-24 school year.
  4. ^ a b With the addition of more in the 2024-25 season.
  5. ^ a b Will join in the 2024-25 school year.

Women's sports

School Basketball Cheer[a] Cross
Country 		Field
Hockey 		Equestrian[a] Golf[a] Ice
Hockey[a] 		Lacrosse Rowing[a] Sailing[a] Soccer Softball Swimming
& Diving[a] 		Tennis[a] Track
& Field
(Indoor) 		Track
& Field
(Outdoor) 		Volleyball Total
MASCAC
Sports[b]
Bridgewater State Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 12
Fitchburg State Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 9
Framingham State Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY 8
MCLA Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN[c] Green tickY Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Green tickY 7
Mass Maritime Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY 8
Salem State Green tickY Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Green tickY 8
Westfield State Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY 11
Worcester State Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 12
Totals 7 1 7 6 1 2 2 8 1 1 8 8 2 4 3 6 8 75
Notes
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h This sport is not sanctioned by the MASCAC.
  2. ^ Includes the non-sanctioned MASCAC sports.
  3. ^ Will join in the 2023-24 school year.

Football

For the current season, see 2023 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference football season.

All-time school records (ranked according to winning percentage)

Through end of the 2022 regular season. Records reflect official NCAA results, including any forfeits or win vacating.

# MASCAC Record Win % MASCAC
Championships
1 Plymouth State 298–198–7 .599 1
2 Bridgewater State 335–238–7 .584 1
3 UMass Dartmouth 181–155 .539 1
4 Worcester State 185–181 .505 0
5 Framingham State 220–251–2 .467 7
6 Massachusetts Maritime 208–253–1 .451 0
7 Westfield State 173–217–1 .444 0
8 Western Connecticut 221–278–4 .443 0
9 Fitchburg State 109–253 .301 0

Intra-conference football rivalries

The members of the MASCAC have longstanding rivalries with each other, especially on the football field. The following is a list of active rivalries in the MASCAC with totals & records through the completion of the 2022 season.

Teams Rivalry name Trophy Meetings Record Series leader Current streak
Bridgewater State Massachusetts Maritime Cranberry Bowl The Scoop 47 34–12–1 Bridgewater State Bridgewater State won 5
Westfield State None None 40 31–9 Bridgewater State won 11
Fitchburg State Worcester State Sterling Cup[19] Sterling Cup trophy 37 10–27 Worcester State Worcester State won 5
Framingham State Western Connecticut None None 19 15–4 Framingham State Western Connecticut won 1
Massachusetts Maritime Kelley Bowl Kelley Cup[20] 50 28–23 Framingham State Framingham State won 14
Worcester State Route 9 Cup[21] None 37 18–20 Worcester State Framingham State won 10
Massachusetts Maritime Bridgewater State Cranberry Bowl The Scoop 47 12–34–1 Bridgewater State Bridgewater State won 5
Framingham State Kelley Bowl Kelley Cup[20] 50 23–28 Framingham State Framingham State won 14
Plymouth State UMass Dartmouth None None 23 11–12 UMass Dartmouth UMass Dartmouth won 4
UMass Dartmouth Plymouth State 23 12–11
Western Connecticut Framingham State 19 4–15 Framingham State Western Connecticut won 1
Westfield State Bridgewater State 40 9–31 Bridgewater State Bridgewater State won 11
Worcester State Fitchburg State Sterling Cup[19] Sterling Cup trophy 37 27–10 Worcester State Worcester State won 5
Framingham State Route 9 Cup[21] None 37 20–18 Worcester State Framingham State won 10

Football champions

Record Ranking
Year Champions Conference Overall D3.com Bowl result Head coach
2013 Framingham State 8–0 9–2 N/A L NCAA Division III First Round 17–20 vs. Ithaca Tom Kelley
2014 Framingham State 8–0 10–1 N/A W ECAC North Atlantic Bowl Tom Kelley
2015 Framingham State 8–0 9–2 N/A L NCAA Division III First Round 22–42 vs. Wesley Tom Kelley
2016 Bridgewater State 8–0 8–3 N/A L NCAA Division III First Round 27–33 vs. Alfred Joe Verria
2017 Framingham State 7–1 10–1 N/A W New England Bowl Tom Kelley
Plymouth State 7–1 9–2 N/A L NCAA Division III First Round 0–66 vs. Brockport Paul Castonia
2018 Framingham State 7–1 8–3 N/A L NCAA Division III First Round 27–40 vs. Brockport Tom Kelley
2019 Framingham State 8–0 8–3 N/A L NCAA Division III First Round 21–58 vs. Wesley Tom Kelley
2020 MASCAC season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[22]
2021 Framingham State 8–0 8–3 N/A L NCAA Division III First Round 0–45 vs. Muhlenberg Tom Kelley
2022 UMass Dartmouth 8–0 9–2 N/A L NCAA Division III First Round 20–63 vs. Ithaca Mark Robichaud

References

  1. ^ "Massachusetts State Universities – The Nine State Universities of Massachusetts". Retrieved 2021-09-13.
  2. ^ "Anna Maria to Join MASCAC as Core Member in 2025-2026". 2023-10-05. ((cite journal)): Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. ^ "MCLA Athletics Announces Multi-Year Plan, Including Hockey and Facility Upgrades". 2022-04-21. ((cite journal)): Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ^ "Anna Maria and Rivier to Join MASCAC Men's Ice Hockey in 2024-25". 2023-06-14. ((cite journal)): Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. ^ "Anna Maria to Join MASCAC as Core Member in 2025-2026". 2023-10-05. ((cite journal)): Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. ^ "Dean College to Join MASCAC in Football in 2025". 2023-10-10. ((cite journal)): Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  7. ^ a b "Castleton University to Join MASCAC Football in 2024". 2023-01-05. ((cite journal)): Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  8. ^ a b "Football to Join MASCAC in 2024". Castleton University. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  9. ^ Haley, Tom (November 29, 2023). "What is next for Castleton football?". rutlandherald.com. Rutland Herald. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  10. ^ Massachusetts State Universities – The Nine State Universities of Massachusetts
  11. ^ "(94)Boston State College". lost-colleges. Retrieved 2021-09-19.
  12. ^ Auburn, Norman (December 1972). "Study on Feasibility of Merging Lowell Technological Institute and Lowell State College" (PDF). State Library of Massachusetts. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  13. ^ "The Lowell Sun 23 Apr 1972, page Page 86". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  14. ^ "The Lowell Sun 05 Jan 1975, page Page 31". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  15. ^ "MASCAC Set to Add Football as Championship Sport in 2013-14". mascac.com. 9 February 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
  16. ^ a b "MASCAC Welcomes Five New Men's Golf Affiliates to Conference". 2019-08-22. ((cite journal)): Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  17. ^ Staff reports. "COLLEGES: Framingham State University, MASCAC will return to fall competition in 2021-22". Milford Daily News. Retrieved 2021-10-08.
  18. ^ Staff reports. "COLLEGES: Bridgewater State University, MASCAC will return to fall competition in 2021-22". Enterprise News. Retrieved 2021-10-08.
  19. ^ a b "The Sterling Cup". ((cite journal)): Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  20. ^ a b "Football Retains Kelley Cup with 34-10 Victory over Mass. Maritime on Homecoming". 2022-10-29. ((cite journal)): Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  21. ^ a b "FSU Mens Lax on Instagram: "Route 9 cup on the line tonight at 7 #HDRF"". Instagram. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  22. ^ "MASCAC Statement on Fall 2020 Season". 2020-07-16. ((cite journal)): Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

External links

Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference
Public institutions of higher education in Massachusetts
Colleges and universities in New Hampshire
Connecticut State University System
NCAA Division III all-sports conferences
NCAA Division III football conferences
NCAA Division III ice hockey conferences
Categories