The NCAA Conferences are groups of colleges and universities that compete in various sports under the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the United States. The NCAA consists of three divisions: Division I, Division II, and Division III. Each division also has its conference system, which provides a framework for scheduling regular-season games, organizing postseason tournaments, and distributing revenue among members. Conferences also foster rivalries and traditions among schools that share a common history or identity. The number and composition of conferences vary by division and sport.

The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) is the governing body of college sports in the United States. It was founded in 1906 as the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States (IAAUS) and adopted its current name in 1910. The NCAA’s mission is to “govern competition in a fair, safe, equitable and sportsmanlike manner, and to integrate intercollegiate athletics into higher education so that the educational experience of the student-athlete is paramount”.

This article will explore how many and what kind of conferences are there in the NCAA.

Divisions in the NCAA Conferences

It oversees the academic and athletic standards of more than 1,100 member institutions across three divisions: Division I, Division II, and Division III. Each division has its own set of rules and regulations regarding scholarship allocation, eligibility, and competition. Let’s explore each division.

Division I: The NCAA Conferences

Division I is the highest level of college sports, featuring the most competitive and prestigious programs in the country.

These schools offer the most scholarships and generate the most revenue from media rights, sponsorships, and merchandise.

This athletes are expected to dedicate a significant amount of time and effort to their sport, often at the expense of their academic and social life.

Division I is divided into two subdivisions for football: the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). The FBS consists of 10 conferences and 4 independent schools that compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff, a four-team tournament that determines the national champion. The FCS consists of 13 conferences and two independent schools that compete for a spot in the NCAA Division I Football Championship, a 24-team tournament that determines the national champion.

The FBS conferences are:

The FCS conferences are:

For other sports, Division I consists of 32 multisport conferences that sponsor both men’s and women’s basketball, as well as at least 12 other sports. These conferences are:

In addition, 18 single-sport conferences sponsor only one sport in Division I. These conferences are:

SportConferences
BaseballAmerica East, Atlantic 10, Big East, MAAC, MVC
Field hockeyAmerica East, Atlantic 10, Big East
Ice hockeyAtlantic Hockey, Big Ten, ECAC Hockey, Hockey East, NCHC, WCHA
LacrosseAmerica East, Atlantic Sun, Big East, CAA, MAAC
SoccerAmerica East, Atlantic Sun
VolleyballAmerica East
18 Single Sport Conferences

Division II: The NCAA Conferences

Division II is the middle level of college sports, featuring programs that balance athletic excellence with academic achievement and community engagement. Division II schools offer fewer scholarships and generate less revenue than Division I schools, but more than Division III schools. Division II athletes are expected to maintain a high academic standard and participate in campus life and community service.

Division II consists of 23 multisport conferences that sponsor both men’s and women’s basketball, as well as at least 10 other sports. These conferences are:

In addition, four single-sport conferences sponsor only one sport in Division II. These conferences are:

SportConferences
FootballGreat Lakes Football Conference, Mid-South Football Alliance, Northeast Football Alliance, South Atlantic Football Alliance
LacrosseECAC Lacrosse League, Great Lakes Valley Lacrosse League, South Atlantic Lacrosse League
SoccerEast Coast Soccer Association, West Coast Soccer Association
4 Single Sport Conferences

Division III: The NCAA Conferences

Division III is the lowest level of college sports, featuring programs that emphasize the educational value and personal growth of athletic participation. Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships and generate minimal revenue from sports. Division III athletes are expected to prioritize their academic pursuits and extracurricular activities over their sports.

Division III consists of 44 multisport conferences that sponsor both men’s and women’s basketball, as well as at least seven other sports. These conferences are:

In addition, 11 single-sport conferences sponsor only one sport in Division III. These conferences are:

SportConferences
BaseballMidwest Collegiate Baseball League, New England Collegiate Baseball Association
Field hockeyEmpire 8, Little East, MAC Freedom, MAC Commonwealth, NECC
FootballEastern Collegiate Football Conference, Midwest Conference, New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Football, Northern Athletics Collegiate Football
Ice hockeyCommonwealth Coast Hockey, New England Hockey, Northern Collegiate Hockey Association, United Collegiate Hockey
LacrosseMidwest Lacrosse, Ohio River Lacrosse
SoccerAllegheny Mountain Soccer, Commonwealth Coast Soccer
11 Single Sport Conferences

The NCAA conferences landscape is dynamic and constantly evolving, as schools may change their division or conference affiliation based on various factors, such as academic reputation, athletic performance, financial resources, or geographic alignment. The NCAA also periodically reviews and revises its rules and regulations to ensure fair and equitable competition among its members. Therefore, it is important to keep updated on the latest developments and changes in the college sports world.

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