List of schools reclassifying their athletic programs to NCAA Division I

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The following is a list of United States colleges and universities that are either in the process of reclassifying their athletic programs to NCAA Division I, or have announced future plans to do the same.[1]

Current reclassifications

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These schools have begun the formal Division I reclassification process.[2][3][4][5] On January 16, 2025, the NCAA announced that it was lessening the reclassification period for schools, by one year, with schools already in the process of reclassifying to Division I being given the option to use either the new, shorter period or the original, longer period they initially agreed to. The new reclassification period will be three years instead of the previous four for schools transitioning from Division II and four years instead of the previous five for schools transitioning from Division III.[6]

Le Moyne[7] and West Georgia[8] have announced that they will seek to reclassify under the new three-year transition process. Mercyhurst is also potentially eligible for the three-year transition period. New Haven entered the transition process after the three-year period was instituted.

Institution name Teams Former classification Current conferences Transition
Full Common Division Conference Primary Others Start[a] End[b]
Le Moyne College Le Moyne Dolphins II Northeast-10 Conference Northeast Conference 2023–24 2027–28[c]
Mercyhurst University Mercyhurst Lakers Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Northeast Conference Atlantic Hockey America 2024–25 2028–29[d]
University of West Georgia West Georgia Wolves Gulf South Conference Atlantic Sun Conference United Athletic Conference 2024–25 2028–29[e]
University of New Haven New Haven Chargers Northeast-10 Conference Northeast Conference 2025–26 2028-29
  1. ^ First year of transition.
  2. ^ First year of full Division I membership.
  3. ^ Le Moyne has announced its intent to transition under the shorter transition period with full membership in 2026–27.
  4. ^ Mercyhurst is potentially eligible for a shorter transition with full membership in 2027–28.
  5. ^ West Georgia has announced its intent to transition under the shorter transition period with full membership in 2027–28.

Reclassifying to Division III

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This is limited to Division I schools that have announced plans to classify to Division III.

Institution Athletics Current Division I conference Future Division III conference Start year Active
(Full member)		 Notes
Full Common
Saint Francis University Saint Francis (PA) Red Flash Northeast Conference Presidents' Athletic Conference 2026–27 2029–30 [9]

References

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  1. ^ "Report of the NCAA Division I Strategic Vision and Planning Committee June 16, 2025" (PDF). NCAA. June 16, 2025. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  2. ^ "Le Moyne College Accepts Invitation to Join Northeast Conference" (Press release). Northeast Conference. May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  3. ^ "UWG Athletics to Transition to NCAA Division I". West Georgia Athletics. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  4. ^ "Welcome To The Lake Show: Mercyhurst University Accepts Northeast Conference Membership Invite". Northeast Conference. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  5. ^ "Charging Ahead: University of New Haven Accepts Northeast Conference Membership Invite". University of New Haven. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
  6. ^ "NCAA: D-I men's teams no longer need waivers for preseason games". ESPN.com. January 16, 2025. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  7. ^ "Le Moyne College Notifies NCAA It Will Accelerate Transition to Division I" (Press release). Le Moyne College. July 17, 2025. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  8. ^ "UWG to Fully Join NCAA Division I by Fall 2027 Under Accelerated Plan" (Press release). University of West Georgia. August 6, 2025. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  9. ^ "Saint Francis Announces Move to NCAA Division III Athletics" (Press release). Saint Francis University. March 25, 2025.