Centennial Conference

The Centennial Conference is an athletic conference which competes in the NCAA's Division III. Chartered member teams are located in Maryland and Pennsylvania; associate members are also located in New York and Virginia.[2]

Centennial Conference
AssociationNCAA
Founded1981
CommissionerPortia Hoeg[1]
Sports fielded
  • 24
    • men's: 12
    • women's: 12
DivisionDivision III
No. of teams11 chartered members, 6 associate members
HeadquartersLancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S.
RegionMid-Atlantic
Official websitecentennial.org
Locations
Location of teams in Centennial Conference

Eleven private colleges compose the Centennial Conference. Five of ten members of the Centennial Conference rank among the top 50 national liberal arts colleges and Johns Hopkins University is ranked seventh among national universities.

On average, Centennial members sponsor 19 varsity teams. Conference members have won seventeen NCAA team titles: Johns Hopkins women's cross country (2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021), Gettysburg women's lacrosse (2011, 2017, 2018), Haverford men's cross country (2010), Franklin & Marshall women's lacrosse (2007, 2009), Ursinus field hockey (2006), Washington men's lacrosse (1998), and Washington men's tennis (1994, 1997).

History

Centennial Conference
Location of Centennial members: full, affiliate, affiliate departing

According to the Centennial Conference's web site: "On June 4, 1981, Keith Spalding, then-president of Franklin & Marshall College, made the announcement that "eight private colleges found it timely and appropriate to form a round-robin football schedule among institutions with similar attitudes and practices in intercollegiate football competition." With that statement, the Centennial Conference was born. Those private colleges were Dickinson College, Franklin & Marshall College, Gettysburg College, Johns Hopkins University, Muhlenberg College, Swarthmore College, Ursinus College, and Western Maryland College (later renamed and now known as McDaniel College).

The conference moved from a football-only conference to an all-sports conference after a 1991 feasibility study. The study also recommended to expand from eight schools to eleven. The other schools recommended were Bryn Mawr College, Haverford College, and Washington College. Those three schools accepted and became charter members in 1992 as the conference expanded its sports offerings.

All of the charter members defected from the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC). Johns Hopkins and McDaniel College both played in the Mason-Dixon Conference prior to entering the MAC in 1975.

Chronological timeline

  • 1981 - On June 4, 1981, the Centennial Conference was founded as a football-only league, then known as the Centennial Football Conference. Charter members included Dickinson College, Franklin & Marshall College, Gettysburg College, Johns Hopkins University, Muhlenberg College, Swarthmore College, Ursinus College, and Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College).
  • 1992 - The Centennial Football Conference became the Centennial Conference when the conference expanded to add other sports, effective in the 1992-93 academic year. Bryn Mawr College, Haverford College and Washington College also joined the newly-formed all-sports conference.
  • 1998 - Washington and Lee University joined the Centennial as an affiliate member for men's wrestling, effective in the 1998-99 academic year.
  • 2001 - Johns Hopkins left the University Athletic Association (UAA) to fully align with the Centennial Conference for all the sports being sponsored, effective in the 2001-02 academic year.
  • 2004 - The United States Merchant Marine Academy (Merchant Marine) and Stevens Institute of Technology (Stevens or Stevens Tech) joined the Centennial as affiliate members for men's wrestling, effective in the 2004-05 academic year.
  • 2007 - Juniata College and Moravian College joined the Centennial as affiliate members for football, effective in the 2007 fall season (2007-08 academic year).
  • 2010 - Susquehanna University joined the Centennial as an affiliate member for football and women's golf, effective in the 2010-11 academic year.
  • 2012 - New York University joined the Centennial as an affiliate member for men's wrestling, effective in the 2012-13 academic year.
  • 2016 - NYU left the Centennial as an affiliate member for wrestling, effective after the 2015-16 academic year.
  • 2017 - Susquehanna left the Centennial as an affiliate member for women's golf, effective after the 2017 spring season (2016-17 academic year).
  • 2017 - Marymount University and Neumann University joined the Centennial as affiliate members for women's golf, effective in the 2018 spring season (2017-18 academic year).
  • 2019 - Two institutions left the Centennial as affiliate members: Neumann for women's golf and Stevens for men's wrestling, effective after the 2018-19 academic year.
  • 2019 - Cabrini University joined the Centennial as an affiliate member for women's golf to replace Neumann's spot, effective in the 2020 spring season (2019-20 academic year).
  • 2022 - Washington and Lee University departed as an affiliate member in wrestling for their primary conference, the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.
  • 2023 - Football affiliates Juniata, Moravian and Susquehanna will depart for the new football league started in the Landmark Conference, effective after the 2022 fall season (2022-23 academic year).[3]

Member schools

Current members

The Centennial currently has 11 full members, all are private schools:

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Acceptance
Rate
Nickname Joined Football
Bryn Mawr College[lower-alpha 1] Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania 1885 Nonsectarian 1,381 38% [4] Owls 1992โ€“93 No
Dickinson College Carlisle, Pennsylvania 1783 Nonsectarian 2,420 35% [5] Red Devils 1981โ€“82 Yes
Franklin & Marshall College Lancaster, Pennsylvania 1787 Nonsectarian 2,255 35% [6] Diplomats 1981โ€“82 Yes
Gettysburg College Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 1832 Lutheran ELCA 2,384 56% [7] Bullets 1981โ€“82 Yes
Haverford College Haverford, Pennsylvania 1833 Nonsectarian 1,268 17.8% [8] Fords 1992โ€“93 No
Johns Hopkins University[lower-alpha 2] Baltimore, Maryland 1876 Nonsectarian 20,174 6.5%[9] Blue Jays 1981โ€“82 Yes
McDaniel College Westminster, Maryland 1867 Nonsectarian 1,559 70% [10] Green Terror 1981โ€“82 Yes
Muhlenberg College Allentown, Pennsylvania 1848 Lutheran ELCA 2,408 68% [11] Mules 1981โ€“82 Yes
Swarthmore College Swarthmore, Pennsylvania 1864 Nonsectarian 1,543 8% [12] Garnet 1981โ€“82 No
Ursinus College Collegeville, Pennsylvania 1869 Secular 1,556 80% Bears 1981โ€“82 Yes
Washington College Chestertown, Maryland 1782 Nonsectarian 1,479 92% [13] Shoremen (men's)
Shorewomen (women's)
1992โ€“93 No


  1. This institution is a women's college, therefore it does not sponsor men's teams.
  2. Johns Hopkins had dual athletic conference membership with the University Athletic Association from 1992โ€“93 to 2000โ€“01, then the Blue Jays left the UAA in order to fully align with the Centennial Conference. Additionally, its men's and women's lacrosse teams do not play in the Centennial Conference, but instead play as Division I teams in the Big Ten Conference.

Affiliate members

The Centennial currently has three affiliate members, all but one are private schools:

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined Primary
conference
Centennial
sport
Cabrini University Radnor, Pennsylvania 1957 Catholic
(Missionary Sisters)
1,759 Cavaliers 2019โ€“20 Atlantic East (AEC) women's golf
Marymount University Arlington, Virginia 1950 Catholic
(RSHM)
3,684 Saints 2017โ€“18 Atlantic East (AEC) women's golf
United States Merchant Marine Academy
(Merchant Marine)
Kings Point, New York 1943 Federal 1,011 Mariners 2004โ€“05 Skyline wrestling

Former affiliate members

The Centennial had seven former affiliate members, all were private schools:

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined Left Primary
conference
Centennial
sport
Juniata College Huntingdon, Pennsylvania 1876 Church of the Brethren 1,568 Eagles 2007โ€“08 2022โ€“23 Landmark football
Moravian University Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 1742 Moravian 1,568 Greyhounds 2007โ€“08 2022โ€“23 Landmark football
Neumann University Aston, Pennsylvania 1965 Catholic
(Franciscan)
3,000 Knights 2017โ€“18 2018โ€“19 Atlantic East (AEC) women's golf
New York University New York City 1832 Nonsectarian 22,280 Violets 2011โ€“12 2015โ€“16 University (UAA) wrestling
Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, New Jersey 1870 Nonsectarian 5,260 Ducks 2004โ€“05 2018โ€“19 MAC Freedom wrestling
Susquehanna University Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania 1858 Lutheran ELCA 2,195 River Hawks 2010โ€“11 2016โ€“17 Landmark women's golf
2022โ€“23 football
Washington and Lee University Lexington, Virginia 1749 Nonsectarian 1,830 Generals 1998โ€“99 2021โ€“22 Old Dominion (ODAC) wrestling
Notes

    Membership timeline

    Cabrini UniversityNeumann UniversityMarymount UniversityNew York UniversitySusquehanna UniversityMoravian CollegeJuniata CollegeStevens Institute of TechnologyUnited States Merchant Marine AcademyWashington and Lee UniversityWashington CollegeHaverford CollegeBryn Mawr CollegeUrsinus CollegeSwarthmore CollegeMuhlenberg CollegeMcDaniel CollegeJohns Hopkins UniversityGettysburg CollegeFranklin %26 Marshall CollegeDickinson College

    Sports

    A divisional format was used for basketball (M / W) from 1992โ€“93 to 2002โ€“03.
    East
    • Bryn Mawr
    • Haverford
    • Muhlenberg
    • Swarthmore
    • Ursinus
    • Washington
    West
    • Dickinson
    • Franklin & Marshall
    • Gettysburg
    • Johns Hopkins
    • McDaniel

    The Centennial Conference sponsors championships in the following sports:

    Conference sports
    SportMen'sWomen's
    Baseball
    Green tickY
    Basketball
    Green tickY
    Green tickY
    Cross Country
    Green tickY
    Green tickY
    Field Hockey
    Green tickY
    Football
    Green tickY
    Golf
    Green tickY
    Green tickY
    Lacrosse
    Green tickY
    Green tickY
    Soccer
    Green tickY
    Green tickY
    Softball
    Green tickY
    Swimming
    Green tickY
    Green tickY
    Tennis
    Green tickY
    Green tickY
    Track and field (indoor)
    Green tickY
    Green tickY
    Track and field (outdoor)
    Green tickY
    Green tickY
    Volleyball
    Green tickY
    Wrestling
    Green tickY

    Men's sponsored sports by school

    SchoolBaseballBasketballCross countryFootballGolfLacrosseSoccerSwimmingTennisTrack & Field
    (indoor)
    Track & Field
    (outdoor)
    WrestlingTotal
    DickinsonGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYRed XN11
    Franklin
    & Marshall
    Green tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYRed XN[upper-alpha 1]11
    GettysburgGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickY12
    HaverfordGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYRed XNRed XNGreen tickYGreen tickYRed XNGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYRed XN9
    Johns HopkinsGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYRed XNRed XN[upper-alpha 2]Green tickYRed XN[upper-alpha 3]Green tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickY9
    McDanielGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickY12
    MuhlenbergGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYRed XNGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickY11
    SwarthmoreGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYRed XNGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYRed XN10
    UrsinusGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickY12
    WashingtonGreen tickYGreen tickYRed XNRed XNRed XNGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYRed XNRed XNRed XN6
    Totals1010977910710995+1104+1
    Merchant MarineGreen tickY1
    Notes
    1. Franklin & Marshall sponsors men's wrestling, however, the team does not compete in the Centennial Conference, but instead competes as a Division I team in the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association.
    2. Johns Hopkins sponsors men's lacrosse, however, the team does not compete in the Centennial Conference, but instead competes as a Division I team in the Big Ten Conference.
    3. Johns Hopkins sponsors men's swimming, however, the team is yet to attend a conference championship. They were a member of the Bluegrass Mountain Conference, a Division II swimming conference, from the 2009-10 season until the 2015-16 season, the team now functions as a swimming independent.

    Men's varsity sports not sponsored by the Centennial Conference that are played by Centennial schools

    SchoolFencingRowingSailingSquashTrap & SkeetWater Polo
    DickinsonRed XNRed XNRed XNMASCRed XNRed XN
    Franklin & MarshallRed XNMARCRed XNMASCRed XNRed XN
    HaverfordMACFARed XNRed XNCSARed XNRed XN
    Johns HopkinsMACFARed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNMAWPC
    WashingtonRed XNMARCMAISARed XNACUIRed XN

    Women's sponsored sports by school

    SchoolBasketballCross countryField
    Hockey
    GolfLacrosseSoccerSoftballSwimmingTennisTrack & Field
    (indoor)
    Track & Field
    (outdoor)
    VolleyballTotal
    Bryn MawrGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYRed XNGreen tickYGreen tickYRed XNGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickY10
    DickinsonGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickY12
    Franklin
    & Marshall
    Green tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickY12
    GettysburgGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickY12
    HaverfordGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYRed XNGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYRed XNGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickY10
    Johns HopkinsGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYRed XNRed XN[upper-alpha 1]Green tickYRed XNRed XN[upper-alpha 2]Green tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickY8
    McDanielGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickY12
    MuhlenbergGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYRed XNGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickY11
    SwarthmoreGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYRed XNGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickY11
    UrsinusGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickY12
    WashingtonGreen tickYRed XNGreen tickYRed XNGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYGreen tickYRed XNRed XNGreen tickY8
    Totals1110116+210119811101011118+2
    CabriniGreen tickY1
    MarymountGreen tickY1
    Notes
    1. Johns Hopkins sponsors women's lacrosse, however, the team does not play in the Centennial Conference, but instead play as Division I teams in the Big Ten Conference.
    2. Johns Hopkins sponsors women's swimming, however, the team is yet to attend a conference championship. They were a member of the Bluegrass Mountain Conference, a Division II swimming conference, from the 2009-10 season until the 2015-16 season, the team now functions as a swimming independent.

    Women's varsity sports not sponsored by the Centennial Conference that are played by Centennial schools

    SchoolBadmintonFencingGymnasticsRowingSailingSquashTrap & Skeet
    Bryn MawrIndependentRed XNRed XNMARCRed XNRed XNRed XN
    DickinsonRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNMASCRed XN
    Franklin & MarshallRed XNRed XNRed XNMARCRed XNMASCRed XN
    HaverfordRed XNEWFC/NIWFARed XNRed XNRed XNCSARed XN
    Johns HopkinsRed XNMACFARed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XN
    SwarthmoreIndependentRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XNRed XN
    UrsinusRed XNRed XNNCGARed XNRed XNRed XNRed XN
    WashingtonRed XNRed XNRed XNMARCMAISARed XNACUI

    Current champions

    Season Sport Women's Champion Men's Champion
    Fall 2022 Cross Country Johns Hopkins (X15) Johns Hopkins (X14)
    Field Hockey Johns Hopkins (X7) โ€”
    Football โ€” Susquehanna (X1)
    Soccer Muhlenberg (X7) Johns Hopkins (X15)
    Volleyball Johns Hopkins (X9) โ€”
    Winter 2022-23 Basketball Swarthmore (X2) Gettysburg (x4)
    Swimming Swarthmore (X4) Swarthmore (X4)
    Indoor Track & Field Johns Hopkins (X11) Johns Hopkins (X8)
    Wrestling โ€” Ursinus (X12)
    Spring 2022 Baseball โ€” Swarthmore (X1)
    Golf Marymount (X2) Franklin and Marshall (X1)
    Lacrosse Gettysburg (X3) Dickinson (X1)
    Softball Muhlenberg (X1) โ€”
    Tennis Johns Hopkins (X15) Johns Hopkins (X16)
    Outdoor Track and Field Johns Hopkins (X12) Ursinus (X1)

    See also

    References

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