Football

NE10 Announces Monroe University as Associate Member in Football

Provisional Membership Set to Begin in 2027 Season

NORTH ATTLEBORO, Mass. – The Northeast 10 Conference announced on Wednesday afternoon that Monroe University will be joining the conference as an associate member in the sport of football, pending successful application and acceptance into the NCAA Division II membership process.
 
Monroe will be a provisional associate member effective with the 2027 season. The NE10 will continue to have eight football programs with the addition of Monroe and the departure of Saint Anselm College.

"The NE10 is pleased to extend associate membership to Monroe University in the sport of football," said NE10 Commissioner Julie Ruppert. "We are happy to welcome them, not only to the Conference, but to the East Region, and look forward to assisting them throughout their transition to Division II. We are excited to share the excellent student-athlete experience for which the NE10 is known with this new group of football student-athletes at Monroe."
 
Said Marc Jerome, president of Monroe University: “Joining the Northeast 10 Conference as an associate member represents a significant milestone for Monroe University and our football program. We are grateful to Commissioner Ruppert and the NE10 community for welcoming Monroe and providing our student-athletes with this tremendous opportunity.”
 
Once entered into the Division II membership process, Monroe will play countable conference football games in the 2027 season - but will not be eligible for NCAA Championship competition until the Division II membership process is complete.  
 
Monroe University is formerly a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). It currently sponsors 18 intercollegiate athletic teams.
 
Monroe’s Mustangs football program has experienced consistent success in recent years, including a program-record 10-0 regular season in 2021. The program made three consecutive NJCAA bowl appearances from 2018-21 and was ranked among the nation’s top NJCAA teams in multiple seasons.

What They Are Saying At Monroe:

“We are honored and excited to join the NE10 as an associate member in football. For more than a decade, we have been committed to pursuing a pathway to four-year athletics competition and the NE10 has become an invaluable partner in our journey toward potential NCAA membership. The conference's support, collaboration, and vision have played a significant role in this process, and we are grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a respected league. We look forward to contributing to the conference and providing an outstanding competitive experience for our student-athletes.”

Luis Melendez, Assistant Vice President – Athletics

“As a program, we’re excited to join the NE10. The participating schools have a reputation for not only being competitive on the field, but also preparing their student-athletes to succeed in the workforce. We feel our institution’s values align with the that of the NE10, and are looking forward to this new opportunity.”

Kevin Pulley Jr., Head Coach of Football
 

ABOUT MONROE UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1933, Monroe University (www.monroeu.edu) is a recognized leader in urban and international education. The University is proud of its innovative programs to increase college access, affordability, and completion outcomes, especially among first-generation students, and for the national recognition it receives for its strong impact on graduates' social mobility.

Monroe educates more than 10,000 students each year, offering Certificate, Associate, Bachelor's, and Master's degree programs from New York campuses in the Bronx and New Rochelle, as well as in the Caribbean nation of Saint Lucia. Students may also pursue degree programs through Monroe Online. Programs are offered through Schools of Allied Health Professions, Business and Accounting, Criminal and Social Justice, Education, Hospitality Management (and Culinary Institute of New York), Information Technology, and Nursing, as well as through its King Graduate School. Liberal arts and continuing education programs are also available.
 

ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 10 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.

Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.

Fans can subscribe via this link to follow NE10 NOW on FloSports this season.  The partnership between the NE10 and FloSports works to provide funds back to the athletic departments of the Northeast 10 Conference in support of student-athletes while promoting the league on a national platform.