Saint Francis (Pa.) announced it is moving from NCAA Division I to Division III, just a week after the school’s heartbreaking loss in the First Four of the NCAA Tournament.
The move, directed by the university board of trustees, is planned to take effect with the 2026-27 academic year.
The Red Flash, who participate in the Northeast Conference, will move to the Presidents’ Athletic Conference. The switch impacts all school sports.
“This was not an easy nor a quick decision for the Board of Trustees,” said the Very Rev. Joseph Lehman, the board chair. “The governance associated with intercollegiate athletics has always been complicated and is only growing in complexity based on realities like the transfer portal, pay-for-play, and other shifts that move athletics away from love of the game. For that reason, as a Board, we aim to best provide resources and support to our student-athletes in this changing environment that aligns with our mission, Catholic institution, and our community’s expectations.”
Saint Francis lost to Alabama State 70-68 in the First Four contest of 16 seeds on March 18 in Dayton, Ohio. It was the second NCAA Tournament appearance for the Red Flash and first since it lost to Arizona 93-80 on March 14, 1991.
The Presidents’ Athletic Conference currently consists of 13 schools in the Ohio-Pennsylvania-West Virginia footprint. That’s a benefit for Saint Francis, said the Very Rev. Malachi Van Tassell, president of the board of trustees.
“The Board and I have been concerned about the student-athlete experience for many years,” he said. “The geography of our conference is huge. Our students travel either to Chicago or to Boston or to points in between. That’s a lot of time not spent on campus, developing friendships or in the classroom. This change allows our students to be present on campus and lets their friends attend more of their home and away games. This decision is about creating and maintaining community and allowing our student-athletes to thrive in the classroom and their chosen sport.”
The move is not without precedence.
In 2021, less than two months after its first NCAA Tournament appearance, Hartford announced its move from Division I to Division III, which is expected to completed this fall.
