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College Conference · NCAA Division I

Northeast Conference

The NEC — the Division I league of the New York metropolitan area and New England's smaller privates.
✓ Last reviewed: August 2026
Founded1981

What is the Northeast Conference?

The Northeast Conference (NEC) is a Division I conference of smaller universities around the New York metropolitan area and the Northeast.[1][2]

Members and sports

Members include Central Connecticut, Fairleigh Dickinson — whose 2023 16-over-1 upset is one of two in men's tournament history — Wagner, LIU, Stonehill, Le Moyne and Chicago State.[1]

Since when does it exist?

Founded in 1981 (as the ECAC Metro Conference).[1]

Why does the Northeast Conference matter?

An established automatic-bid Division I league for over four decades.[1]

References

  1. NEC — official site. Accessed August 2026.
  2. NCAA — About the NCAA. Accessed August 2026.