The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Council of Presidents and Commissioner Angela Baumann are pleased to announce the addition of the University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) in the sports of men’s and women’s ice hockey beginning in 2027-28.
With the introduction of Saint Joseph, the MASCAC will have nine men’s ice hockey programs competing while women’s ice hockey will now expand to eight teams with the addition of Fitchburg State University during the 2027-28 season.
“We are excited to welcome the University of Saint Joseph to the MASCAC as an affiliate men’s and women’s ice hockey member. Their participation will help expand the MASCAC ice hockey leagues with regional competition,” said Commissioner Baumann. “This partnership will broaden our student-athletes’ experience and solidify the MASCAC brand.”
Steeped in nearly a century of tradition and excellence, the University of Saint Joseph blends professional education with the sciences and humanities to prepare students for lives and careers that meet social and workforce needs. Minutes from Connecticut’s capital city and surrounded by corporate, medical, and cultural resources, USJ students live and learn on a quintessential New England campus, meld classroom learning with pre-professional experience, and compete on NCAA Division III conference championship teams. Students seeking an undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral degree will find a place to shine at our small university with big outcomes.
“We are thrilled to join the MASCAC and elevate our men’s and women’s ice hockey programs within such a competitive and well‑respected conference,” said Associate Vice President of Athletics and Recreation Amanda Devitt. “This is an exciting step forward for USJ Athletics and our student‑athletes, opening new opportunities for growth and competition. Thank you to the conference office and the Athletic Directors for their support throughout this process!”
The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference, the nation’s oldest Division III men’s and women’s playing conference, has a rich and storied tradition of competitive success while celebrating excellence in the classroom. MASCAC member schools include Anna Maria College, Bridgewater State University, Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, MCLA, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Salem State University, Westfield State University and Worcester State University. Two other institutions, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and Plymouth State University, are affiliate members of the conference in football. Springfield College joined as a men’s golf affiliate in 2019 while Marymount University and Marywood University joined in 2024. Anna Maria and Rivier joined the conference as women’s ice hockey affiliates in 2024. Dean College joined as a football affiliate in 2025.
What Others Are Saying
Dr. Linda Thompson, president of Westfield State University and a member of the NCAA Division III President’s Advisory Group: “We are pleased to welcome the University of Saint Joseph to the MASCAC for hockey. As a comprehensive university offering both liberal arts and professional education to a diverse student population, USJ is a strong academic peer. The institution fits well within the league’s geographic footprint, and as it has expanded its athletic programs, USJ has become a familiar and frequent competitor for many MASCAC teams.”
University of Saint Joseph President Dr. Rhona Free: “The MASCAC represents an exceptional group of institutions that value both academic rigor and athletic achievement. We are proud that the University of Saint Joseph men’s and women’s ice hockey teams will compete in a conference that reflects our values and high standards.”
