College Athletic Program Changes: Summer 2025 Updates

COLLEGE LANDSCAPE UPDATES
Changes through September 11, 2025

With the college sports landscape being of dynamic nature, making constant, almost daily updates to our college database is of great importance and frankly, great fun for our staff members.
There is nothing better than seeing program announcements and communicating such changes to our valuable users on College Pipe: athletes, college coaches and recruiters / club administrators who aid their athletes with finding the right college fit.
This article lists any such changes we have come across, as well as conference realignments across divisions.

SCHOOL CLOSURES AND DIVISION CHANGES

NCAA D-I Schools

• University of New Haven (NCAA D-II) transitioned to NCAA D-I effective 2025-2026

NCAA D-II Schools

• Academy of Art University discontinued its entire athletics program.
• Lackawanna College (NJCAA) becomes a member of NCAA D-II (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference) effective 2026-2027.
• Limestone University closed down.
• Middle Georgia State University (NAIA) transitioned to NCAA D-II, effective 2025-2026.
• Texas A&M University - Texarkana (NAIA) will transition to NCAA D-II, receiving an invitation to join the Lone Star Conference, adding Football and Flag Football to its offering.
• University of Jamestown (NAIA) transitions to NCAA D-II, expected to become a full member in 2026-2027.

NCAA D-III Schools

• Azusa Pacific University (NCAA D-II) transitioned to NCAA D-III.
• Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte (USCAA) transitioned to NCAA D-III effective 2025-2026.
• Fontbonne University closed down after 2024-2025: Baseball, Basketball (M&W), Cross Country (M&W), Golf (M&W), Soccer (M&W), Softball, Track & Field (M&W), Volleyball (M&W), Wrestling (M&W).

NAIA

• Bismarck State University (NJCAA) transitioned to the NAIA, effective 2025-2026.
• Concordia University-Ann Arbor discontinued its entire athletics program.
  

Others

• Bloomfield College of Montclair State University transitioned from NCAA D-II to the USCAA.
• Virginia State University's Soccer (M&W) and Baseball programs transitioned to the USCAA.
  

NEW PROGRAMS / PROGRAM CUTS

NCAA D-I

Discontinued Programs

• Eastern Illinois University discontinued the Tennis programs.
• Grand Canyon University discontinued Volleyball (M) effective immediately.
• Prairie View A&M University discontinued the Tennis programs.
• Radford University discontinued the Tennis programs.
• The University of Texas at El Paso discontinued Tennis (W).

Programs Added

• Radford University adds women's Flag Football, initially as club sport in 2025-2026. Also added Track (M, distance-focused) in Fall 2025.
• Saint Bonaventure University adds Golf (W) in 2026-2027.
• Saint Mary's College of California adds Swimming (M&W) and Water Polo (M&W) in 2026-2027.
• University of the Pacific adds men's Track & Field and Cross Country. In addition, Pacific revives the diving programs and extends women's field events.
• Utah Tech University adds Track & Field (M) in 2026-2027.
• University of San Diego adds Beach Volleyball in 2026-2027.
• University of Tulsa adds Golf (M) in 2026-2027.

NCAA D-II

Discontinued Programs

• American International College discontinued Tennis (W) and Wrestling (M).
• Concordia University-Irvine discontinued its Tennis and Swimming programs (M&W).
• Dallas Baptist University discontinued the Tennis programs and will retain them as club sports.
• Lake Superior State University discontinued its Tennis and Golf programs (M&W).
• Lewis University discontinued the Tennis programs.
• Metropolitan State University of Denver discontinued the Tennis programs.
• Molloy University discontinued Tennis (W).
  

Programs Added

• Azusa Pacific University (now NCAA D-III) reinstates Football in 2026.
• Barry University adds Lacrosse (M&W) in 2026-2027.
• Bowie State University added Golf (M) in 2025-2026.
• Henderson State University added Track & Field (M&W) in 2025-2026.
• Jessup University has been accepted into the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation for Men's Volleyball.
• Middle Georgia State (now NCAA D-II) adds Track (W, distance events only) in Spring 2026.
• Northeastern State University adds Wrestling (M&W) & Volleyball (W) in 2026, Track and Cross Country programs (M&W) in 2027.
• Nova Southeastern University adds Lacrosse (W) in 2026-2027.
• Pennsylvania Western University - Edinboro added Golf (W) and Wrestling (W) in 2025.
• Saint Leo University added Track & Field (M&W) in 2025-2026.
• Texas A&M University-Texarkana added Bowling & Golf (M&W) in 2025-2026.
• University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown added Wrestling (W), Swimming & Diving (M&W) in 2025.
• Ursuline College added Track & Field as well as Cross Country on the men's side in 2025. The school will add Golf (M) in 2026-2027.
• Walsh University adds Swimming (M&W) in 2026-2027.

NCAA D-III

Added Programs

• Albright College adds Wrestling (W) in 2026-2027.
• Brandeis University adds Lacrosse (W) in 2026-2027.
• Chatham University adds Wrestling (M&W) in 2026-2027.
• Colby-Sawyer College added Lacrosse (M) & Softball in 2025.
• Denison University adds Water Polo (W) in 2026-2027.
• Eureka College adds Volleyball (M) in Spring 2026.
• Kean University added Wrestling (M&W) programs in 2025-2026.
• Maine Maritime added Football in 2025-2026.
• Mount Saint Joseph University adds Wrestling (W) in 2026-2027.
• Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona reinstated Cross Country (M&W) in 2025-2026.
• Roger Williams University added men's varsity ice hockey (Fall 2025) & women's varsity ice hockey (Fall 2026).
• Saint Francis University adds Swimming (M) in 2026-2027.
• Spalding University added Volleyball (M) in 2025-2026.
• Sweet Briar College reinstated Volleyball (W) in 2025-2026.
• University of New England added Tennis (M&W) in 2025-2026.
• University of Wisconsin-Superior adds Lacrosse (W) in 2026-2027.
• University of Lynchburg added Wrestling (M) in 2025-2026.
• Whittier College adds Football in 2026-2027.
• Wittenberg University adds Wrestling (M&W) in 2026-2027.
• Wilmington College adds Golf (M&W) and Tennis (M&W) in 2026-2027.
  

NAIA

Discontinued Programs

• Aquinas College discontinued its Tennis programs (M&W), following the conference's decision (WHAC) to eliminate Tennis.
• Cornerstone University discontinued its Tennis programs (M&W), following the conference's decision (WHAC) to eliminate Tennis.
• Indiana Tech discontinued its Tennis programs (M&W), following the conference's decision (WHAC) to eliminate Tennis.
• Providence Christian College discontinued its Golf and Soccer programs (both M&W).
• University of Northwestern Ohio discontinued its Tennis programs (M&W), following the conference's decision (WHAC) to eliminate Tennis
  

Added Programs

• Arlington Baptist University added Golf (M) in 2025-2026.
• Avila University added Volleyball (M) in 2025-2026.
• Cleary University adds Wrestling (W) in 2026-2027.
• Loyola University New Orleans adds Rugby (M&W) in 2026-2027.
• Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College adds Football in 2026.
• Taylor University reinstated Tennis (M&W) in 2025-2026.
  

NJCAA / NWAC / CCCAA / USCAA

Discontinued Programs
NWAC: has discontinued sponsoring men's and women's Tennis with the following programs being cut at:

• Highline College
• Bellevue College
• Treasure Valley Community College
• Spokane Falls Community College

Added Programs
7 NJCAA new schools:

• Berkshire Community College (MA) is a new NJCAA D-III program, launching Baseball & Volleyball (W) in Region 21
• Forsyth Technical Community College (NC)is a new NJCAA D-II program, launching Basketball (M) & Volleyball (W) in Region 10.
• Drake State Community & Technical College (AL) is a new NJCAA D-II program in Region 22 with the sports offering to be announced for 2026-2027.
• Eastern New Mexico - Ruidoso (NM) is a new NJCAA D-I program, launching Cross Country (M&W) & Golf (M&W) in Region 5.
• Northeast Iowa Community College (IA) is a new NJCAA D-II program, launching Baseball & Softball in Region 11.
• Robeson Community College (NC) is a new NJCAA D-II program, launching Baseball in Region 10.
• Tidewater Community College (VA) is a new NJCAA D-III program, launching Basketball (M&W) in Region 10.
  

CONFERENCE CHANGES

NCAA D-I

• Grand Canyon University is a member of the Mountain West Conference effective 2025-2026.
• Missouri State University is a member of C-USA effective 2025-2026.
• Mountain Pacific Sports Federation added 3 member schools to its swim championships: UNLV, University of Wyoming & Air Force (men).
• Richmond University // Football is a member of the Patriot League.
• Seattle University is a member of the West Coast Conference effective 2025-2026.
• University of Delaware is a member of C-USA effective 2025-2026.
• University of Massachusetts is a member of the MAC effective 2025-2026.
• University of Nebraska Bowling (W) is a member of C-USA (formerly independent).
  

NCAA D-II

• Barton College // Football competes in Conference Carolinas effective 2025-2026
• Jessup University has been accepted into the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation for Men's Volleyball
• North Greenville University // Football is a member of the Conference Carolinas

NCAA D-III

• The Commonwealth Coast Conference changed its name to Conference of New England, going by the abbreviation "CEN".
• Dean College // Football competes in MASCAC effective 2025-2026
• Gallaudet University // Football competes in ODAC effective 2025-2026
• Hendrix College is a member of SCAC effective 2025-2026.
• Hilbert College // Football competes in Liberty League effective 2025-2026.
• Hiram College is a member of the PAC effective 2025-2026.
• John Carroll University is a member of the NCAC effective 2025-2026.
• Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte is a member of the C2C effective 2025-2026.
• Johnson & Wales University-Providence is a member of the CCC effective 2025-2026
• LeTourneau University is a member of the SCAC effective 2025-2026
• Western Connecticut State University // Football is a member of the Landmark Conference.

NAIA

• Dickinson State University is a member of Frontier (NAIA) effective 2025-2026.
• The Great States Athletic Conference changed its name to Great Southwest Athletic Conference, maintaining the same abbreviation "GSAC".
• La Sierra University is a member of the GSAC effective 2025-2026.
• Missouri Baptist University is a member of the HAAC effective 2025-2026.
• Simpson University // Football is a member of the Frontier Conference.
• Soka University of America is a member of the GSAC effective 2025-2026.
• Southwestern University is a member of the SAA effective 2025-2026.
• Spartanburg Methodist College is a member of the Appalachian Athletic Conference effective 2025-2026.
• Trinity University is a member of the SAA effective 2025-2026.
• University of Rio Grande Football is a member of the Appalachian Athletic Conference.
• Valley City State University is a member of the Frontier Conference effective 2025-2026.
• Vermont State University - Castleton // Football is a member of the New Jersey Athletic Conference.
• William Woods University is a member of the Heart of America Athletic Conference effective 2025-2026.

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Note that the list if not exhaustive and merely offers a snapshot into some of the recent changes.