New Jersey Athletic Conference

The New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) is a nonprofit intercollegiate athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) Division III. It primarily consists of public universities in New Jersey, with plans to expand into New York state by adding a new full member in 2026.

History

The NJAC was founded in 1957 as the New Jersey State Athletic Conference (NJSAC). Its charter members included Glassboro State College (now Rowan University), Montclair State College (now Montclair State University), Jersey City State College (now New Jersey City University), Newark State College (now Kean University), Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey), and William Paterson College (now William Paterson University). Initially, the conference focused solely on men's sports until it merged with the Jersey Athletic Conference in 1985, incorporating women's sports and rebranding as the New Jersey Athletic Conference.

Evolution and Members

Over the years, the NJAC has grown to include additional members such as Ramapo College of New Jersey (joined in 1976) and Stockton State College (now Stockton University), which joined in 1977. In 1985, Rutgers University at Camden and Rutgers University at Newark also became part of the conference. New Jersey City University left briefly but rejoined in 2005. The conference includes affiliate members from various states, including Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

Governance and Objectives

The conference is governed by a Board of Athletic Administrators, which oversees its operations and makes key decisions regarding membership, policies, and championships. The NJAC aims to promote intercollegiate athletics, uphold academic integrity, support Title IX principles, and foster high standards of athletic competition.

Championships and Sports

Today, the NJAC hosts championships in multiple sports for both men and women, including soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, and track & field, among others. It has captured numerous NCAA Division III national championships since its inception.

Future Developments

The conference is set to expand geographically with the addition of SUNY New Paltz as its first full member outside New Jersey in 2026.