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Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference

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Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference
NameMassachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference
Established1971
AssociationNCAA
DivisionDivision III
Members9 (full), 2 (associate)
Sports17
CommissionerAngela Baumann
HeadquartersWestfield, Massachusetts
RegionNew England
Former namesMassachusetts State College Athletic Conference (1971–2009)

Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference. The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) is a collegiate athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division III, operating primarily within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Founded in 1971, it is the nation's oldest Division III football-playing conference and comprises nine full member institutions, all of which are public universities within the Massachusetts state university system. The conference sponsors 17 championship sports and is headquartered in Westfield, Massachusetts.

History

The conference was established in 1971 as the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference, originally formed to organize competition among the state's public colleges. Its founding members included institutions like Bridgewater State College, Framingham State College, and Westfield State College. A significant milestone occurred in 2009 when the conference rebranded to its current name, reflecting the elevated university status of its members following the restructuring of the Massachusetts state university system. Throughout its history, the MASCAC has maintained a strong identity centered on public higher education and has expanded its sport offerings, including the addition of women's championships following the passage of Title IX.

Member institutions

The MASCAC currently has nine full member institutions and two associate members. The full members are all part of the Massachusetts state university system: Bridgewater State University (Bears), Fitchburg State University (Falcons), Framingham State University (Rams), Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (Trailblazers), Massachusetts Maritime Academy (Buccaneers), Salem State University (Vikings), Westfield State University (Owls), Worcester State University (Lancers), and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (Corsairs). Associate members include the United States Coast Guard Academy (Bears) for football and Elms College (Blazers) for men's volleyball.

Sports sponsored

The conference sponsors championship competition in 17 sports, nine for men and eight for women. Men's sponsored sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, track and field (indoor and outdoor), and wrestling. Women's sponsored sports include basketball, cross country, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, track and field (indoor and outdoor), and volleyball. The Massachusetts Maritime Academy and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth also compete in the New England Football Conference for football, while the MASCAC sponsors its own football league.

Conference facilities

Member institutions host competitions in a variety of on-campus venues. Notable facilities include Bridgewater State University's Swenson Field for football and Alumni Park for baseball, Fitchburg State University's Elliot Field, and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy's Clean Harbors Stadium. Framingham State University hosts games at Maple Street Field, while Salem State University utilizes Rockett Arena for ice hockey and Alumni Field for soccer. Westfield State University's Alumni Field is a multi-sport complex, and Worcester State University competes at the John F. Coughlin Memorial Field.

Championships

The MASCAC crowns annual champions in each sponsored sport, with teams often advancing to NCAA Division III national championship tournaments. The conference's football championship is particularly historic, with teams like the Bridgewater State Bears and Framingham State Rams frequently contending. The conference also administers end-of-season tournaments in sports like basketball, baseball, and softball. Individual champions in track and field and wrestling also earn bids to national meets, such as the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships.

Notable alumni

While primarily focused on Division III athletics, the conference has produced numerous alumni who have achieved prominence in sports and other fields. These include former National Football League player Greg Landry (UMass Dartmouth), longtime Boston Celtics executive and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Jan Volk (Bridgewater State University), and professional baseball player Mike Aviles (Concordia University Wisconsin via athletic transfer). Other distinguished alumni encompass leaders in public service, education, and the military, particularly from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and the United States Coast Guard Academy.

Category:NCAA Division III conferences Category:Sports in Massachusetts Category:College athletic conferences in the United States