The leaves and beautiful colors of the fall have disappeared and the cold and winter weather conditions have arrived.  As we transition the seasons, nine Little East Conference champions were crowned this fall.

Keene State College took home top honors in men’s cross country, field hockey and women’s golf, while Plymouth State University grabbed titles in women’s cross country and women’s volleyball and the University of Southern Maine captured conference honors in men’s golf and women’s soccer.  The University of Massachusetts Boston came out on top in men’s soccer and Rhode Island College claimed the conference crown in women’s tennis. 

UMass Boston men’s soccer was matched up against Roger Williams University in the First Round NCAA tournament play, and the Beacons came away with a decisive 4-1 victory to advance to the Second Round versus Bowdoin College. The Polar Bears prevailed 3-2 in a hard-fought battle that went to the wire. Plymouth State has been matched up against Ithaca College in the opening round of the NCAA Volleyball Championship on Thursday. 

On Saturday, three individual cross country performers will compete in the NCAA Cross Country National Championships being held at Spartanburg, North Carolina. Haley Oliver of Rhode Island College finished 19th in the women’s regional to secure her trip to the national championship.  Tyler Bolaske of Keene State College crossed the line in third place at the men’s regional while Cameron Thompson of UMass Dartmouth finished 15th and will represent the LEC at the national championship.

With the fall sports season quickly coming to completion, it’s very clear that we have been treated to some truly outstanding team and individual performances throughout the year.  But now, we turn our attention to the winter sports season.  This year, the LEC added three sports to its list of conference offerings bringing the total number of conference-sponsored sports to 24.  In addition to women’s golf this fall, this is the inaugural season for LEC men’s and women’s ice hockey.  We’re very excited as a conference to bring these sports under the LEC umbrella. 

While we wade into the early competition of the winter season, NCAA members from all three Divisions are preparing for the upcoming NCAA Convention being held this year on January 13-16, 2026 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Washington D.C.  In Division III, we will consider 16 pieces of legislation, far more than in recent years.  In addition, we will review and look to approve non-controversial legislation, hear reports from committees and have an opportunity for professional development activities.  Much of the legislation will provide for easy approval but there are a couple of contentious proposals to be debated, including one that is often referred to as the “Redshirt Rule” and is co-sponsored by the LEC.  This proposal would only charge student-athletes with a year of participation if they compete in a contest or event.  Currently, being on a team and engaging in practice as of the first contest dictates utilization of a year of eligibility.  Division I and Division II have the “Redshirt Rule” in place; Division III does not. 

Within the last two weeks, all three NCAA Management Councils approved the ability for student-athletes and staff to gamble on professional sports.  This decision has met with some push back and concern.  For many years, betting on professional sports was allowed per NCAA rule, however that privilege was removed by previous legislation nearly 20 years ago.  With the rise of legalized sports betting and the doors open to gambling sites, it was inevitable for this to come back. The ban on collegiate sports betting will remain in place.

On a brighter note, The Little East Conference will celebrate its 40^th anniversary in 2026-2027.  Started as a men’s and women’s basketball conference in 1986-1987 with six original members, the conference now has nine core members and boasts numerous affiliate members in several of our 24 sports.  Conversations and planning are underway to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of our membership, student-athletes and staff members over the first 40 years.  There is much to be proud of in our history, and we look forward to telling the story.

Luana Batista Soares, a junior from UMass Boston will join us as a member of the NCAA National Student Advisory Committee.  Luana is a women’s lacrosse player from Raleigh, North Carolina and has been a strong leader for the LEC SAAC during the early going.  In her first year, she was selected to serve on the NCAA Division III National SAAC and was also selected to serve on the Division III Management Council.  We all look forward working with Luana and receiving feedback from both the LEC SAAC and members of the NCAA National SAAC on this year’s legislative agenda.

While in Washington, we will celebrate the outstanding careers and many contributions of two wonderful and very important people in the life and history of the Little East Conference. 

Melinda Treadwell, Keene State College’s President from 2017-2025, has recently taken on the same role at SUNY Geneseo. Melinda was a student-athlete at Keene State during her undergraduate years and truly loved her time as a member of their community.  During her impactful time with Keene State, she served a term on the NCAA Division III Management Council, was a member of the President’s Advisory Committee and served as Chair of the Presidents Council for the Little East Conference.  I feel confident that I speak for the entire membership of the LEC when I say Melinda’s leadership, advocacy, genuine kindness and support for athletics was instrumental to the success recent growth of the Conference. 

In addition, Lori Runksmeier, Director of Athletics at Eastern Connecticut State University, has announced her retirement effective this spring.  Lori has spent over 30 years in athletic administration and 26 as a director of athletics, with her first stop being New England College from 1999-2015.  She took on the role as AD at Eastern Connecticut in 2015 and has been instrumental in building the Warriors success in many sports and has had an incredible impact on student-athletes and staff.  Under her direction, Eastern Connecticut has been one of the top-performing teams in both the LEC Commissioner’s Cup and LEC Presidents’ Cup standings every year.  Runksmeier is an accomplished and highly-respected administrator and has been very active in leadership roles throughout her career.  She has served as Vice Chair of the NCAA Division III Management Council, Chair and Vice Chair of the National Association of Division III Athletics Administrators (NADIIIAA) membership, and has chaired numerous committees for the NCAA.  Lori is a trusted and respected colleague, well informed, insightful and has been a true leader for the LEC.  During her tenure at Eastern, she has served a term as Chair of the Athletic Directors Council and has been instrumental in moving the LEC forward in many ways.  Her leadership and voice have been critical to the success of the Little East Conference and she will be missed by all involved. 

My heartfelt thanks to both Melinda and Lori for their friendship, leadership and significant contributions to our Conference and student-athletes.    

Best wishes to all as we move toward the holiday season!