Syracuse, N.Y. – Le Moyne College President Linda LeMura and Assistant Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics and Campus Recreation Phil Brown announced today that the College has officially notified the NCAA of its intent to accelerate its transition to full membership in the NCAA Division I.
 
By accelerating its reclassification schedule by one year, Le Moyne will have access to DI membership benefits and its 21 teams will be fully eligible for NCAA Championships starting with the 2026-27 academic year following the successful completion of its upcoming third year of the reclassification process. The move will also give the College access to revenue that stems from participation in NCAA tournaments as well as the additional exposure to potential students one year sooner.
 
Le Moyne accepted its invitation to join the NEC in 2023 and began competing in the conference starting in the 2023-24 academic year.
 
"This is an important step in our unwavering commitment to competing in all aspects at the D-I level," said President LeMura. "Over the past two years we have shown by our team and individual performances that we can compete as a DI institution. Getting to compete in NCAA championships one year earlier will enhance our ability to recruit outstanding student-athletes who place a premium on a premier liberal arts education."

At the NCAA Convention in January 2025, the Division I Council adopted a proposal to revise the process for institutions reclassifying to DI. The revised process, which reduces the reclassification period from four to three years for DII institutions, requires schools to meet academic requirements, including being above the 10th percentile of DI members in the academic progress rate, graduation success rate, or the difference between the federal graduation rates for student-athletes and for the general student body.

"I'd like to thank President LeMura and the entire leadership team for reaffirming our commitment to DI athletics," said Phil Brown. "Since my arrival in January, our focus has been on positioning the Dolphins for success at the DI level. We have seen many benefits from our move to DI, including a six percent increase in the number of student athletes coming to Le Moyne over the past two years, and this accelerated path will provide earlier access to NCAA postseason championships and strengthen our vision for an exceptional student-athlete experience."
 
Reclassifying schools also must meet new financial aid requirements, such as a scholarship offering that exceeds the 10th percentile of active DI members, participate in an academic review, satisfy all DI core guarantees and attestation requirements and complete an NCAA self-study program. Progression through the process is dependent upon meeting each year's benchmarks. Le Moyne has already completed and passed its NCAA compliance review, another component of the reclassification process.

During its first two years as a member of the NEC and competing at the DI level, the Dolphins have made a total of 32 postseason appearances, including 16 during the 2024-25 academic year. Three programs have posted postseason victories, including women's basketball each year, while the swimming and diving and indoor and outdoor track and field programs have combined for 11 individual medals. Academically, the department has extended its streak of consecutive semesters with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher to 44 and turned in a 3.345 GPA for the 2024-25 academic year.

While six institutions (five from DII and one from DIII) just completed the accelerated transition process in late June, Le Moyne is the only institution in the nation in its transition "class." Two institutions are a year behind Le Moyne, while the University of New Haven is the only institution starting the transition this year.

"Le Moyne has been a tremendous addition to the NEC over the past two years and has demonstrated its commitment to elevating its entire athletics enterprise to the Division I level," said NEC Commissioner Noreen Morris. "I commend President Linda LeMura and Athletic Director Phil Brown for their leadership in making this decision which aligns with their strategic vision for the future of Le Moyne and its athletics program. The NEC is excited to partner with the Le Moyne Dolphins as they ride the wave into full DI membership."