|
| Hartford athletics photo by Steve McLaughlin |
When the University of Hartford becomes a Division III member, it will do so as a member of the Commonwealth Coast Conference.
The conference announced Hartford as its 11th core member on June 21. The school will officially join the conference in 2023-24 as it progresses through the NCAA reclassification process from NCAA Division I to NCAA Division III, effective Sept. 1, 2025.
Hartford currently offers 17 Division I sports (nine women’s teams, eight men’s) competing as a Division I independent during the 2022–23 year.
“On behalf of the Commonwealth Coast Conference Board of Directors and my fellow CCC presidents, I wish to welcome the University of Hartford to the CCC family,” said CCC Board of Directors Chair and University of New England president James Herbert. “The CCC board has been most impressed with UHart’s thorough strategic plan, vision for athletics and solid commitment to provide expanded sport offerings. Each of the CCC member institutions places the highest emphasis on providing elite academic and athletic opportunities that complement each other, and the CCC board is pleased to partner with an institution that has demonstrated their commitment to these values."
Hartford emerged as the CCC membership continued its search for additional members after welcoming Suffolk as its 10th core member in 2020-21. The conference looks forward to assisting Hartford with its NCAA divisional reclassification.
“The University of Hartford is honored to have found a great match in the Commonwealth Coast Conference,” said Hartford president Gregory Woodward. “The CCC member institutions share UHart’s vision and values, our high expectations for academic and athletic achievement on a regional and national level, and our prioritization of student experiences and success. We are excited about the natural rivalries that will unfold and look forward to the competitive future of Hartford athletics with our new conference partners. We have found the ideal conference to ensure the success of our landmark reclassification to Division III.”
Since 2013, the CCC has prioritized conference growth through the addition of seven sponsored championships, welcoming Suffolk in 2020, and working with its member institutions to include new programs in their existing varsity sport offerings. These additions have not only grown the CCC, but have allowed member institutions to realize greater exposure and widen their already strong appeal to prospective student-athletes.
“In recent years, the CCC has become a prime destination for elite-level prospective student-athletes in all sports,” said CCC Commissioner Gregg Kaye. “Teams and individual student-athletes representing our member institutions have experienced increased success not only in conference competition, but also on the national stage. We have had a number of teams advancing to NCAA Championship finals sites, seen numerous student-athletes earn All-Region and All-America selections, and have seen increased inclusion of conference participants on Academic All-District and All-America teams. As the University of Hartford expands its athletic offerings in the coming years, that will help with the continued growth of our conference.”
The Hawks currently field 17 varsity sports including 14 current CCC championship sports (baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s golf, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s outdoor track and field, and women’s volleyball). They have also recently announced their intent to add tennis, field hockey, and ice hockey in the coming years.
“For nearly 50 years, the Division III model has demonstrated that rigorous academics, competitive athletics and the pursuit of numerous interests as part of the undergraduate experience can all exist together,” said Kaye. “It is apparent that the University of Hartford’s growing commitment to the D-III model will enhance the excellence that the CCC and our members work tirelessly to provide our student-athletes, not just on individual campuses, but through our conference-level competition and collaboration.”
Hartford athletic director Sharon Beverly added to Kaye’s statement and expressed her joy to be joining the league.
“We are so pleased and proud to be a new member of the prestigious CCC,” said Beverly. “Ultimately our goal was to land in a conference that recognizes the value UHart brings, and also aligns with our vision and aspirations for pursuing high-quality and competitive DIII athletics. I could not be happier for Hartford athletics, our coaches, and our student-athletes.”
In addition to the 14 CCC championship sports in the Hartford program, the Hawks also feature women’s golf, men’s and women’s indoor track and field, and esports teams. There are also plans for the construction of a new outdoor track and field in 2023.
The university and the conference will partner on UHart’s NCAA Division III reclassification in the coming years, in preparation for membership no later than Sept. 1, 2025. Beginning in the 2023-24 academic year, UHart will formally compete in the CCC.