Little East Conference

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Little East Conference
AssociationNCAA
Founded1986
CommissionerPamela S. Samuelson, PhD (since June 7, 2019)
Sports fielded
  • 19
    • men's: 8
    • women's: 11
DivisionDivision III
No. of teams9
HeadquartersNorth Providence, Rhode Island
RegionNew England
Official websitewww.littleeast.com
Locations
Location of teams in {{{title}}}

The Little East Conference (LEC) is an NCAA Division III intercollegiate athletic conference. The member institutions are located in all six states of New England.

History[edit]

Chronological timeline[edit]

Member schools[edit]

Current members[edit]

The Little East currently has nine full members, all are public schools:

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Endowment
(millions)
Nickname Joined Colors
Eastern Connecticut State University Willimantic, Connecticut 1889 Public[a] 4,989 $16.3 Warriors 1986    
Keene State College Keene, New Hampshire 1909 Public[b] 3,213 $14.0[c] Owls 1997    
Plymouth State University Plymouth, New Hampshire 1871 Public[b] 4,491 $28.9 Panthers 1986    
Rhode Island College Providence, Rhode Island 1854 Public[d] 7,523 $16.4 Anchormen &
Anchorwomen
1986      
University of Massachusetts Boston Boston, Massachusetts 1852 Public[e] 16,259 $92.0 Beacons 1986    
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Dartmouth, Massachusetts 1895 Public[e] 8,513 $59.0 Corsairs 1986    
University of Southern Maine Gorham, Maine[f] 1878 Public[g] 8,022 $38.5 Huskies 1986      
Vermont State University–Castleton Castleton, Vermont 1787 Public[h] 2,399 $7.86 Spartans 2018    
Western Connecticut State University Danbury, Connecticut 1903 Public[a] 5,246 $12.8 Wolves 1993    
Notes
  1. ^ a b Part of the Connecticut State University System.
  2. ^ a b Part of the University System of New Hampshire.
  3. ^ Actual amount in endowment is $13,996,219.
  4. ^ Part of the Rhode Island Board of Education.
  5. ^ a b Part of the University of Massachusetts System.
  6. ^ The University of Southern Maine's main campus is located at Gorham; with other campuses at Lewiston and Portland.
  7. ^ Part of the University of Maine System.
  8. ^ Part of the Vermont State Colleges System.

Associate members[edit]

The Little East currently has six associate members, all but two are public schools:

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Endowment
(millions)
Nickname Joined Colors Primary
conference
LEC
sport(s)
Bridgewater State University Bridgewater, Massachusetts 1840 Public[a] 10,651 $54.0 Bears 2004–05m.ten.
2004–05w.ten.
      MASCAC men's tennis
women's tennis
Massachusetts Maritime Academy Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts 1891 Public[a] 1,637 $13.05[b] Buccaneers 2019–20     MASCAC men's lacrosse
University of New England Biddeford, Maine 1831 Nonsectarian 7,208 $39.2 Nor'easters 2022–23     CCC women's swimming & diving
Salem State University Salem, Massachusetts 1854 Public[a] 7,242 $25.3 Vikings 2000–01m.lax.
2003–04m.ten.
2004–05w.ten.
      MASCAC men's lacrosse
men's tennis
women's tennis
Western New England University Springfield, Massachusetts 1919 Nonsectarian 3,702 $55.9 Golden Bears 2019–20     CCC women's swimming & diving[3]
Westfield State University Westfield, Massachusetts 1838 Public[a] 5,400 $6.2 Owls 2009–10       MASCAC women's swimming & diving
Notes
  1. ^ a b c d Part of the Massachusetts State Universities System.
  2. ^ Actual amount in endowment is $13,051,554.


Former associate members[edit]

The Little East had six former associate members, all of which were also public schools:

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Endowment Nickname Joined Left Colors Primary
conference
LEC
sport(s)
Bridgewater State University Bridgewater, Massachusetts 1840 Public[a] 10,651 $54.0 Bears 2000–01f.h.
2009–10w.s.d.
2022–23f.h.
2014–15w.s.d.
      MASCAC field hockey
women's swimming & diving
Fitchburg State University Fitchburg, Massachusetts 1894 Public[a] 4,659 $19.9 Falcons 2000–01 2022–23     MASCAC field hockey
Framingham State University Framingham, Massachusetts 1839 Public[a] 4,111 $35.4[b] Rams 2000–01 2022–23     MASCAC field hockey
Salem State University Salem, Massachusetts 1854 Public[a] 7,242 $25.3 Vikings 2000–01 2022–23       MASCAC field hockey
Westfield State University Westfield, Massachusetts 1838 Public[a] 5,400 $6.2 Owls 2000–01 2022–23       MASCAC field hockey
Worcester State University Worcester, Massachusetts 1874 Public[a] 6,434 $34.5 Lancers 2000–01f.h.
2009–10w.ten.
2022–23f.h.
2020–21w.ten.
    MASCAC field hockey
women's tennis
Notes
  1. ^ a b c d e f Part of the Massachusetts State Universities System.
  2. ^ Actual amount in endowment is $35,385,907.

Membership timeline[edit]

University of New EnglandWestern New England UniversityMassachusetts Maritime AcademyCastleton UniversityWorcester State UniversityWestfield State UniversitySalem State UniversityFramingham State UniversityFitchburg State UniversityBridgewater State UniversityKeene State CollegeWestern Connecticut State UniversityUniversity of Southern MaineRhode Island CollegePlymouth State CollegeUniversity of Massachusetts–DartmouthUniversity of Massachusetts–BostonEastern Connecticut State University

Sports[edit]

Little East Conference
50km
30miles
ECSU
UNE
WNE
Salem State
Mass Maritime
Bridgewater State
Worcester State
Westfield State
Fitchburg State
Framingham State
Castleton
UMass Dartmouth
UMass Boston
Southern Maine
WCSU
R.I. College
Plymouth State
.
Keene State
Map
Locations of Little East members, 2022-2023 full and associate

The LEC 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 and women's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, women's softball, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's track and field, and women's volleyball.

In 2023, the Little East announced the addition of men's and women's ice hockey to begin play in 2025.[4]

Men's sports[edit]

School Baseball Basketball Cross
Country
Golf Lacrosse Soccer Swimming
& Diving
Tennis Track &
Field
(Indoor)
Track &
Field
(Outdoor)
Total
Castleton Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 9
Eastern Connecticut Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Green tickY 9
Keene State Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Green tickY 8
Plymouth State Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Green tickY 8
Rhode Island College Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 9
Southern Maine Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 9
UMass–Boston Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 8
UMass–Darthmouth Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN Green tickY Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY 6
Western Connecticut Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN 7
Totals 9 9 9 4 8 9 4 5 8 8 73
Associate Members
Bridgewater State Green tickY Green tickY 2
Massachusetts Maritime Green tickY 1
Salem State Green tickY Green tickY 2

Women's sports[edit]

School Basketball Cross
Country
Field
Hockey
Lacrosse Soccer Softball Swimming
& Diving
Tennis Track &
Field
(Indoor)
Track &
Field
(Outdoor)
Volleyball Total
Castleton Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 10
Eastern Connecticut Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 10
Keene State Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 10
Plymouth State Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 11
Rhode Island College Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 10
Southern Maine Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 10
UMass–Boston Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 8
UMass–Darthmouth Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY 11
Western Connecticut Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Green tickY Red XN Red XN Green tickY 9
Totals 9 9 7 8 9 9 6 7 8 9 8 89
Associate Members
Bridgewater State Green tickY 1
U. of New England Green tickY 1
Salem State Green tickY 1
Western New England Green tickY 1
Westfield State Green tickY 1

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "University of New England Women's Swimming to Join LEC as Affiliate Member in 2022-23" (Press release). Little East Conference. June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  2. ^ "Little East Field Hockey Preseason Poll Released". 2022-08-24.
  3. ^ "Affiliate Members". littleeast.com. Retrieved 2021-10-22.
  4. ^ "LEC Announces Men's Ice Hockey as Conference's 22nd Championship Sport". Little East Conference. July 24, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2024.

External links[edit]