PROVIDENCE, R.I. – On behalf of the Little East Conference (LEC) Presidents Council, LEC Commissioner Albert D. Bean, Jr. announced the addition of Saint Anselm College as an affiliate member in men’s and women’s golf, and men’s and women’s ice hockey. 

“We’re excited to welcome St. Anselm College to the Little East Conference as an affiliate member in men’s and women’s ice hockey, and men’s and women’s golf,” said Bean “St. Anselm has a strong tradition of success across its athletic programs, and we’re confident the Hawks will bring a high level of competition to the LEC in each of these four sports. We look forward to building a strong and successful partnership as we move forward together.”

Saint Anselm announced earlier this year that they will begin transitioning from NCAA Division II to Division III beginning in the 2027-28 academic year, and will be joining the NEWMAC for the majority of their 23 varsity sport offerings. The Hawks will join current NEWMAC member Babson College in the LEC’s men’s ice hockey league. Following successful completion of the NCAA’s reclassification process, they will be fully eligible for DIII championships beginning with the 2029-30 academic year.

"As Saint Anselm College embraces the opportunities of Division III, we are committed to ensuring that every one of our student athletes has the opportunity to compete, grow, and excel within a strong conference community," said Dr. Michael Lewis, President of Saint Anselm College. "We are delighted to join the Little East Conference as a partner in that journey for our ice hockey and golf programs. We look forward to building a meaningful relationship with the LEC and to watching our student-athletes carry the proud tradition of Saint Anselm forward with excellence, character, and distinction."

Saint Anselm Director of Athletics Phil Rowe said, "We are thrilled to join the Little East Conference as an affiliate member in men’s and women’s golf and men’s and women’s ice hockey. The LEC provides an excellent competitive home for these four programs as we transition to NCAA Division III. We look forward to building relationships throughout the conference and providing our student-athletes with meaningful and rewarding championship experiences. We are grateful to Commissioner Bean, the Presidents Council, the Directors of Athletics and the entire LEC membership for welcoming Saint Anselm."

The addition of Saint Anselm will place Little East membership at 10 men’s ice hockey and women’s golf programs, eight women’s ice hockey programs, and six men’s golf programs. Each of these LEC championship offerings feature a combination of core and affiliate members.  

In 2025-26, Saint Anselm placed sixth of seven teams at the Northeast -10 Men’s Golf Championship and placed fourth of six teams at the NE10 Women’s Golf Championship. The Hawks’ men’s ice hockey team was 14-14-4 overall and played in the NE10 tournament final, while their women’s ice hockey team was 19-18-1 overall and advanced to the New England Women’s Hockey Alliance final. 

ABOUT THE LITTLE EAST CONFERENCE

The Little East Conference (LEC) was formed in 1986 when six public institutions gathered to create a single sport athletic conference, and has expanded into what is now one of New England’s premier NCAA Division III multi-sport athletic conferences. The LEC now features 24 championship sports, sponsoring quality competition for our student-athletes while following the Division III mission of “passion, responsibility, sportsmanship and citizenship.”
 
The Little East’s nine primary institutions – Eastern Connecticut State University, Keene State College (N.H.), University of Massachusetts Boston, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Plymouth State University (N.H.), Rhode Island College, University of Southern Maine, Vermont State University Castleton, and Western Connecticut State University - encompass all six New England states. The LEC also includes 13 affiliate member institutions throughout New England for the 2026-27 academic year, making the Little East one of the largest conferences in the nation by institutional membership.

ABOUT SAINT ANSELM COLLEGE

Founded in 1889, Saint Anselm College is a private, Catholic, Benedictine liberal arts college located in Manchester, N.H., with a rich tradition of academic excellence, community and athletic achievement. A nationally recognized institution with more than 130 years of history, Saint Anselm provides a close-knit community where students are challenged to grow, lead, and pursue excellence both in and beyond the classroom. The College is home to more than 2,100 students and 23 NCAA varsity athletic programs, with more than 650 student-athletes representing the Hawks across a wide range of sports.

Saint Anselm Athletics has built a strong tradition of competitive success, with numerous conference championships, NCAA tournament appearances, and individual honors across its programs.