NEWTOWN, Pa. (Conference News) – Megan Morrison, Executive Director, has announced that the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) will officially add women’s wrestling to its lineup starting in the 2025-26 season. This new addition will bring the total number of sports sponsored by the MAC to 28 (14 for men and 14 for women), making it the leading Division III conference in this regard. The MAC will now be among only three Division III conferences to sponsor women’s wrestling.
“Integrating women’s wrestling into our diverse range of MAC sports is a significant move towards enhancing gender equity across the conference and supporting the growth of this emerging NCAA sport for women,” stated Morrison.
The inaugural season of women’s wrestling in the MAC will feature five institutions: Alvernia, Arcadia, Delaware Valley, Misericordia, and York (Pa.). Delaware Valley boasts the longest-standing women’s wrestling program in the MAC, currently entering its fifth season. Alvernia is in its third season, while York is in its second. Misericordia is starting its first season, and Arcadia will commence competition in the fall of 2025. With the additions of programs at Albright and Eastern planned for the 2026-27 season, the MAC will reach a total of seven participating schools. The inaugural MAC Women’s Wrestling Championships are set to take place at Delaware Valley University in 2026.
“I am proud to be part of the MAC’s initiative in supporting women’s wrestling as a conference sport,” expressed David Duda, Director of Athletics at Delaware Valley. “The long-standing tradition of men’s wrestling here has paved the way for our women’s program, which we established four years ago. With the enthusiastic leadership from the Conference and the innovative vision of our peer institutions, this new chapter in conference sponsorship is an exciting advancement. We are looking forward to hosting the first conference championship next winter, as we collectively nurture the growth of women’s wrestling.”
The MAC has seen early achievements in women’s wrestling, including three national qualifiers. Bridgette Schoultz and Erin Murray from Delaware Valley, as well as Maura White from York, earned spots in the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships (NCWWC) in their respective seasons.
Women’s wrestling was recognized as an NCAA Emerging Sport for Women in 2020. Just last week, NCAA Divisions I, II, and III voted to elevate women’s wrestling from the Emerging Sports program to an official national championship status. This move will allow female athletes across all three divisions to compete against each other, officially making women’s wrestling the 91st championship sport in the NCAA. The inaugural National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championship is scheduled for 2026.
NCAA President Charlie Baker remarked, “It is a thrilling moment for women’s wrestling to be recognized as an NCAA sport, marking it as the 91st championship we will host. We extend gratitude to everyone who supported this effort, including the athletes, coaches, and dedicated fans who have fueled the growth of this exciting and dynamic sport that provides even more opportunities for women to engage in athletics.”
Voices from the MAC
“We are excited about the decision to sponsor women’s wrestling at Misericordia University,” stated Dr. Daniel Myers, President of Misericordia University. “As one of the fastest-growing sports at the collegiate and high school levels, women’s wrestling presents a fantastic opportunity for these talented athletes to advance their careers while enriching student life at our institution. We are also pleased that the MAC’s sponsorship will enhance competition, scheduling flexibility, and post-season championship opportunities for our women wrestlers.”
“Women’s wrestling is a unique opportunity for growth and empowerment. By supporting this sport, Eastern University aims to expand prospects for female athletes and promote inclusivity within the MAC,” said Eric McNelly, Director of Athletics at Eastern. “We hope that the conference’s commitment inspires future generations of athletes and strengthens the foundation of this dynamic sport.”
“At Albright College, we are thrilled to launch both women’s and men’s wrestling teams,” declared Dr. Debra Townsley, President of Albright College. “Recognizing the rapid expansion of women’s wrestling, this is an ideal moment for Albright to become involved, especially now that the MAC is providing its support. As we focus on enhancing student interests in co-curricular activities, women’s wrestling has become a priority.”
“The MAC’s decision to sponsor women’s wrestling is a groundbreaking advancement in collegiate athletics,” said Dr. Ronald Matthews, President of Eastern University. “We believe in the transformative potential of sports to shape lives and communities. This initiative not only fosters inclusivity and excellence across the conference but is also in line with both Eastern’s and the MAC’s commitment to equitable opportunities for all athletes. We are excited to be part of this historic moment and look forward to the opportunities it will create for our student-athletes.”
ABOUT THE MIDDLE ATLANTIC CONFERENCE
Located in Newtown, Pa., the Middle Atlantic Conference is an NCAA Division III conference comprising the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC), Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth (MAC Commonwealth), and Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom).
The MAC encompasses 16 member institutions across three states: Albright College, Alvernia University, Arcadia University, Delaware Valley University, DeSales University, Eastern University, Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus, Hood College, King’s College, Lebanon Valley College, Messiah University, Misericordia University, Stevens Institute of Technology, Stevenson University, Widener University, and York College of Pennsylvania.
Currently, the MAC sponsors 27 intercollegiate sports competing in NCAA Division III, engaging more than 7,000 student-athletes in baseball, basketball, cross country, field hockey, football, golf, ice hockey, indoor track & field, lacrosse, outdoor track & field, softball, soccer, swimming, tennis, volleyball, and wrestling.
