The University of New Haven accepted an invitation to join the Northeast Conference on July 1 and will begin transitioning from Division II to Division I.”We are thrilled to welcome the University of New Haven to the Northeast Conference family,” NEC commissioner Noreen Morris said in a statement Tuesday. “Making the move to Division I is a bold step, and we’re honored that New Haven chose to take that step with us. From the start, it was clear that they share our values — putting academics, competitive excellence and the student-athlete experience at the forefront.”The addition of New Haven will bring the NEC’s membership up to 10, as the school joins Central Connecticut, Chicago State, Fairleigh Dickinson, Le Moyne, Long Island, Mercyhurst, Saint Francis, Stonehill and Wagner. However, Saint Francis will move down to Division III after the 2025-26 academic year.New Haven was a member of the Northeast-10 Conference and sponsors 20 varsity sports. Most notably, the Chargers will compete in football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and softball, field hockey, women’s lacrosse, women’s tennis and men’s and women’s golf.The NEC said New Haven will be integrated into the league’s athletic schedules for 2025-26 with the exception of football.