From a women-only league to an intercollegiate athletic powerhouse

Wars & Conflicts · Published 17 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 1985, it was a small circle of six colleges dedicated solely to women's athletics. Today, the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) serves as a complex web of full members and specialized affiliates across three states. Its evolution mirrors a broader shift in collegiate sports.

During the 1985–86 period, the New England Women's 6 Conference (NEW-6) first launched as the NEWMAC. The original group consisted of Wheaton College, Wellesley College, Smith College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Brandeis University, and Babson College. By 1988, the group expanded to eight institutions with the addition of Mount Holyoke College and Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), prompting a rebranding to the NEW-8 Conference.

A pivotal shift occurred in 1998 when the conference voted to sponsor men's sports and championships. This transition saw the league rebranded as the NEWMAC. During this expansion, Springfield College and the United States Coast Guard Academy became the first institutions to join with both men's and women's sports. While Brandeis University departed in 1995 to align its men's programs elsewhere, Clark University joined to maintain the eight-school core.

The conference continues to grow through a sophisticated affiliate model. For example, while it sponsors football starting in the 2017 season, it utilizes multiple associate members like Maine Maritime Academy and Norwich University. Recent developments include the addition of men's volleyball for the spring 2027 season, involving four full members and three new affiliates: SUNY New Paltz, NYU, and Vassar College. Currently, the conference maintains a membership where all but one of its 12 full members are private schools.

The league's history is marked by strategic movement; for instance, Catholic University of America departed in 2023 to join the Landmark Conference for football. Meanwhile, Saint Anselm College is scheduled to transition from NCAA Division II to become a full member in the 2027–28 academic year.

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