NORTH ANDOVER, Massachusetts (September 10, 2018) – Merrimack College announced today it had accepted an invitation to join the Northeast Conference and start the Division I reclassification period in 2019-20. The Warriors had retained Collegiate Consulting to perform a comprehensive Division I feasibility study for the intercollegiate athletic program. The feasibility study was completed in the Winter of 2013 with a benchmarking update in 2016 and provided an exploration of Division I opportunities, and analysis of three Division I conferences and an assessment of the current athletic program.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Merrimack and a terrific addition by the Northeast Conference,” stated Russell Wright, Managing Director of Collegiate Consulting. “The program is well positioned to be competitive within the conference and Division I.”
Merrimack will begin their transition effective July 1, 2019 and 22-of-24 will begin competing at Division I in the 2019-20 academic year (men’s and women’s hockey are currently Division I). The Warriors will not be eligible for postseason play, with the exception of hockey, while it completes the four-year NCAA reclassification from Division II to Division I. The program will be a full Division I member beginning in the 2023-24 academic year. The men’s and women’s ice hockey team currently competes in the Division I Hockey East.