The Centennial Conference is an intercollegiate athletic conference which competes in the NCAA's Division III. Chartered member teams are located in Maryland and Pennsylvania; associate members are also located in New York and Virginia.[2]

Centennial Conference
AssociationNCAA
Founded1981
CommissionerPortia Hoeg[1]
Sports fielded
  • 24
    • men's: 12
    • women's: 12
DivisionDivision III
No. of teams11 chartered members, 6 associate members
HeadquartersLancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S.
RegionMid-Atlantic
Official websitecentennial.org
Locations
Location of teams in Centennial Conference

Eleven private colleges compose the Centennial Conference. Five of ten members of the Centennial Conference rank among the top 50 national liberal arts colleges and Johns Hopkins University is ranked seventh among national universities.

On average, Centennial members sponsor 19 varsity teams. Conference members have won seventeen NCAA team titles: Johns Hopkins women's cross country (2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021), Gettysburg women's lacrosse (2011, 2017, 2018), Haverford men's cross country (2010), Franklin & Marshall women's lacrosse (2007, 2009), Ursinus field hockey (2006), Washington men's lacrosse (1998), and Washington men's tennis (1994, 1997).

History

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Centennial Conference
 
 
50km
30miles
 
Dickinson
 
Carnegie Mellon
 
Merchant Marine
 
Marymount
 
Washington
 
Haverford
 
Bryn Mawr
 
Ursinus
 
Swarthmore
 
Muhlenberg
 
McDaniel
 
Johns Hopkins
 
Gettysburg
 
Franklin & Marshall
Location of Centennial members:   full,   affiliate

According to the Centennial Conference's website, "On June 4, 1981, Keith Spalding, then-president of Franklin & Marshall College, made the announcement that "eight private colleges found it timely and appropriate to form a round-robin football schedule among institutions with similar attitudes and practices in intercollegiate football competition." With that statement, the Centennial Conference was born. Those private colleges were Dickinson College, Franklin & Marshall College, Gettysburg College, Johns Hopkins University, Muhlenberg College, Swarthmore College, Ursinus College, and Western Maryland College, later renamed and now known as McDaniel College.

The conference moved from a football-only conference to an all-sports conference after a 1991 feasibility study. The study also recommended to expand from eight schools to eleven. The other schools recommended were Bryn Mawr College, Haverford College, and Washington College. Those three schools accepted and became charter members in 1992 as the conference expanded its sports offerings.[3]

All of the charter members defected from the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC). Johns Hopkins and McDaniel College both played in the Mason-Dixon Conference prior to entering the MAC in 1975.

Chronological timeline

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  • 1981 - On June 4, 1981, the Centennial Conference was founded as a football-only league, then known as the Centennial Football Conference. Charter members included Dickinson College, Franklin & Marshall College, Gettysburg College, Johns Hopkins University, Muhlenberg College, Swarthmore College, Ursinus College, and Western Maryland College, now McDaniel College.
  • 1992 - The Centennial Football Conference became the Centennial Conference when the conference expanded to add other sports, effective in the 1992-93 academic year. Bryn Mawr College, Haverford College and Washington College also joined the newly-formed all-sports conference.
  • 1998 - Washington and Lee University joined the Centennial as an affiliate member for men's wrestling, effective in the 1998-99 academic year.
  • 2001 - Johns Hopkins left the University Athletic Association (UAA) to fully align with the Centennial Conference for all the sports being sponsored, effective in the 2001-02 academic year.
  • 2004 - The United States Merchant Marine Academy (Merchant Marine) and Stevens Institute of Technology (Stevens or Stevens Tech) joined the Centennial as affiliate members for men's wrestling, effective in the 2004-05 academic year.
  • 2007 - Juniata College and Moravian College joined the Centennial as affiliate members for football, effective in the 2007 fall season (2007-08 academic year).
  • 2010 - Susquehanna University joined the Centennial as an affiliate member for football and women's golf, effective in the 2010-11 academic year.
  • 2012 - New York University joined the Centennial as an affiliate member for men's wrestling, effective in the 2012-13 academic year.
  • 2016 - NYU left the Centennial as an affiliate member for wrestling, effective after the 2015-16 academic year.
  • 2017 - Susquehanna left the Centennial as an affiliate member for women's golf, effective after the 2017 spring season (2016-17 academic year).
  • 2017 - Marymount University and Neumann University joined the Centennial as affiliate members for women's golf, effective in the 2018 spring season (2017-18 academic year).
  • 2019 - Two institutions left the Centennial as affiliate members: Neumann for women's golf and Stevens for men's wrestling, effective after the 2018-19 academic year.
  • 2019 - Cabrini University joined the Centennial as an affiliate member for women's golf to replace Neumann's spot, effective in the 2020 spring season (2019-20 academic year).[4]
  • 2022 - Washington and Lee University departed as an affiliate member in wrestling for their primary conference, the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.[5]
  • 2023 - Football affiliates Juniata, Moravian and Susquehanna depart for the new football league started in the Landmark Conference, effective after the 2022 fall season (2022-23 academic year).[6]
  • 2024 - Cabrini University ceased operations in June 2024, ending its time in the Centennial as an affiliate member for women's golf.
  • 2025 - Carnegie Mellon University will join the Centennial as an associate football member, effective for the 2025 fall season (2025-26 academic year).[7]

Member schools

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Current members

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The Centennial currently has 11 full members, all are private schools:

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Acceptance
Rate
Nickname Joined Football
Bryn Mawr College[a] Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania 1885 Nonsectarian 1,381 38% [8] Owls 1992–93 No
Dickinson College Carlisle, Pennsylvania 1783 Nonsectarian 2,420 35% [9] Red Devils 1981–82 Yes
Franklin & Marshall College Lancaster, Pennsylvania 1787 Nonsectarian 2,255 35% [10] Diplomats 1981–82 Yes
Gettysburg College Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 1832 Lutheran ELCA 2,384 56% [11] Bullets 1981–82 Yes
Haverford College Haverford, Pennsylvania 1833 Nonsectarian 1,268 12.9% [12] Fords 1992–93 No
Johns Hopkins University[b] Baltimore, Maryland 1876 Nonsectarian 20,174 6.5%[13] Blue Jays 1981–82 Yes
McDaniel College Westminster, Maryland 1867 Nonsectarian 1,559 70% [14] Green Terror 1981–82 Yes
Muhlenberg College Allentown, Pennsylvania 1848 Lutheran ELCA 2,408 68% [15] Mules 1981–82 Yes
Swarthmore College Swarthmore, Pennsylvania 1864 Nonsectarian 1,543 8% [16] Garnet 1981–82 No
Ursinus College Collegeville, Pennsylvania 1869 Secular 1,556 80% Bears 1981–82 Yes
Washington College Chestertown, Maryland 1782 Nonsectarian 1,479 92% [17] Shoremen (men's)
Shorewomen (women's)
1992–93 No


  1. ^ This institution is a women's college, therefore it does not sponsor men's teams.
  2. ^ Johns Hopkins had dual athletic conference membership with the University Athletic Association from 1992–93 to 2000–01, then the Blue Jays left the UAA in order to fully align with the Centennial Conference. Additionally, its men's and women's lacrosse teams do not play in the Centennial Conference, but instead play as Division I teams in the Big Ten Conference.

Affiliate members

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The Centennial currently has two affiliate members, a private school and a public school:

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined Primary
conference
Centennial
sport
Marymount University Arlington, Virginia 1950 Catholic
(RSHM)
3,684 Saints 2017–18 Atlantic East (AEC) women's golf
United States Merchant Marine Academy
(Merchant Marine)
Kings Point, New York 1943 Federal 1,011 Mariners 2004–05 Skyline wrestling

Future affiliate members

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The Centennial will have one new affiliate member, a private school:

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joining Primary
conference
Centennial
sport
Current
conference in
affiliate sport
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 1900 Nonsectarian 10,875 Tartans 2025–26 University (UAA) football Presidents' (PAC)

Former affiliate members

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The Centennial had eight former affiliate members, all were private schools:

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined Left Primary
conference
Centennial
sport
Cabrini University Radnor, Pennsylvania 1957 Catholic
(Missionary Sisters)
1,759 Cavaliers 2019–20 2023–24 N/A[a] women's golf
Juniata College Huntingdon, Pennsylvania 1876 Church of the Brethren 1,568 Eagles 2007–08 2022–23 Landmark football
Moravian University Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 1742 Moravian 1,568 Greyhounds 2007–08 2022–23 Landmark football
Neumann University Aston, Pennsylvania 1965 Catholic
(Franciscan)
3,000 Knights 2017–18 2018–19 Atlantic East (AEC) women's golf
New York University New York City 1832 Nonsectarian 22,280 Violets 2011–12 2015–16 University (UAA) wrestling
Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, New Jersey 1870 Nonsectarian 5,260 Ducks 2004–05 2018–19 MAC Freedom wrestling
Susquehanna University Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania 1858 Lutheran ELCA 2,195 River Hawks 2010–11 2016–17 Landmark women's golf
2022–23 football
Washington and Lee University Lexington, Virginia 1749 Nonsectarian 1,830 Generals 1998–99 2021–22 Old Dominion (ODAC) wrestling
Notes
  1. ^ Cabrini closed following the 2023–24 academic year and was acquired by Villanova University.

Membership timeline

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Carnegie Mellon UniversityCabrini UniversityNeumann UniversityMarymount UniversityNew York UniversitySusquehanna UniversityMoravian CollegeJuniata CollegeStevens Institute of TechnologyUnited States Merchant Marine AcademyWashington and Lee UniversityWashington CollegeHaverford CollegeBryn Mawr CollegeUrsinus CollegeSwarthmore CollegeMuhlenberg CollegeMcDaniel CollegeJohns Hopkins UniversityGettysburg CollegeFranklin %26 Marshall CollegeDickinson College

Sports

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A divisional format was used for basketball (M / W) from 1992–93 to 2002–03.
East
  • Bryn Mawr
  • Haverford
  • Muhlenberg
  • Swarthmore
  • Ursinus
  • Washington
West
  • Dickinson
  • Franklin & Marshall
  • Gettysburg
  • Johns Hopkins
  • McDaniel

The Centennial Conference sponsors championships in the following sports:

Conference sports
Sport Men's Women's
Baseball
 Y
Basketball
 Y
 Y
Cross Country
 Y
 Y
Field Hockey
 Y
Football
 Y
Golf
 Y
 Y
Lacrosse
 Y
 Y
Soccer
 Y
 Y
Softball
 Y
Swimming
 Y
 Y
Tennis
 Y
 Y
Track and field (indoor)
 Y
 Y
Track and field (outdoor)
 Y
 Y
Volleyball
 Y
Wrestling
 Y

Men's sponsored sports by school

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School Baseball Basketball Cross country Football Golf Lacrosse Soccer Swimming Tennis Track & Field
(indoor)
Track & Field
(outdoor)
Wrestling Total
Dickinson  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  N 11
Franklin
& Marshall
 Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  N[A] 11
Gettysburg  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 12
Haverford  Y  Y  Y  N  N  Y  Y  N  Y  Y  Y  N 9
Johns Hopkins  Y  Y  Y  Y  N  N[B]  Y  N[C]  Y  Y  Y  Y 9
McDaniel  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 12
Muhlenberg  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  N  Y  Y  Y  Y 11
Swarthmore  Y  Y  Y  N  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  N 10
Ursinus  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 12
Washington  Y  Y  N  N  N  Y  Y  Y  Y  N  N  N 6
Totals 10 10 9 7+1 7 9 10 7 10 9 9 5+1 104+2
Merchant Marine  Y 1
Carnegie Mellon  Y 1
Notes
  1. ^ Franklin & Marshall sponsors men's wrestling, however, the team does not compete in the Centennial Conference, but instead competes as a Division I team in the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association.
  2. ^ Johns Hopkins sponsors men's lacrosse, however, the team does not compete in the Centennial Conference, but instead competes as a Division I team in the Big Ten Conference.
  3. ^ Johns Hopkins sponsors men's swimming, however, the team is yet to attend a conference championship. They were a member of the Bluegrass Mountain Conference, a Division II swimming conference, from the 2009-10 season until the 2015-16 season, the team now functions as a swimming independent.

Men's varsity sports not sponsored by the Centennial Conference that are played by Centennial schools

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School Fencing Rowing Sailing Squash Trap & Skeet Water Polo
Dickinson  N  N  N MASC  N  N
Franklin & Marshall  N MARC  N MASC  N  N
Haverford MACFA  N  N CSA  N  N
Johns Hopkins MACFA  N  N  N  N MAWPC
Washington  N MARC MAISA  N ACUI  N

Women's sponsored sports by school

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School Basketball Cross country Field
Hockey
Golf Lacrosse Soccer Softball Swimming Tennis Track & Field
(indoor)
Track & Field
(outdoor)
Volleyball Total
Bryn Mawr  Y  Y  Y  N  Y  Y  N  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 10
Dickinson  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 12
Franklin
& Marshall
 Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 12
Gettysburg  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 12
Haverford  Y  Y  Y  N  Y  Y  Y  N  Y  Y  Y  Y 10
Johns Hopkins  Y  Y  Y  N  N[A]  Y  N  N[B]  Y  Y  Y  Y 8
McDaniel  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 12
Muhlenberg  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  N  Y  Y  Y  Y 11
Swarthmore  Y  Y  Y  N  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 11
Ursinus  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y 12
Washington  Y  N  Y  N  Y  Y  Y  Y  Y  N  N  Y 8
Totals 11 10 11 6+1 10 11 9 8 11 10 10 11 118+1
Marymount  Y 1
Notes
  1. ^ Johns Hopkins sponsors women's lacrosse, however, the team does not play in the Centennial Conference, but instead play as Division I teams in the Big Ten Conference.
  2. ^ Johns Hopkins sponsors women's swimming, however, the team is yet to attend a conference championship. They were a member of the Bluegrass Mountain Conference, a Division II swimming conference, from the 2009-10 season until the 2015-16 season, the team now functions as a swimming independent.

Women's varsity sports not sponsored by the Centennial Conference that are played by Centennial schools

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School Badminton Fencing Gymnastics Rowing Sailing Squash Trap & Skeet
Bryn Mawr Independent  N  N MARC  N  N  N
Dickinson  N  N  N  N  N MASC  N
Franklin & Marshall  N  N  N MARC  N MASC  N
Haverford  N EWFC/NIWFA  N  N  N CSA  N
Johns Hopkins  N MACFA  N  N  N  N  N
Swarthmore Independent  N  N  N  N  N  N
Ursinus  N  N NCGA  N  N  N  N
Washington  N  N  N MARC MAISA  N ACUI

Current champions

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Season Sport Women's Champion Men's Champion
Fall 2022 Cross Country Johns Hopkins (X15) Johns Hopkins (X14)
Field Hockey Johns Hopkins (X7)
Football Susquehanna (X1)
Soccer Muhlenberg (X7) Johns Hopkins (X15)
Volleyball Johns Hopkins (X9)
Winter 2022-23 Basketball Swarthmore (X2) Gettysburg (x4)
Swimming Swarthmore (X4) Swarthmore (X4)
Indoor Track & Field Johns Hopkins (X11) Johns Hopkins (X8)
Wrestling Ursinus (X12)
Spring 2022 Baseball Swarthmore (X1)
Golf Marymount (X2) Franklin and Marshall (X1)
Lacrosse Gettysburg (X3) Dickinson (X1)
Softball Muhlenberg (X1)
Tennis Johns Hopkins (X15) Johns Hopkins (X16)
Outdoor Track and Field Johns Hopkins (X12) Ursinus (X1)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Centennial Conference Athletics".
  2. ^ "Centennial Conference Membership". Centennial Conference Athletics. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  3. ^ "The Centennial Conference" (Press release). Centennial Conference. April 22, 2023. Archived from the original on May 20, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  4. ^ "Women's Golf Announces 2019 Fall Schedule" (Press release). Cabrini University Athletics. August 21, 2019. Archived from the original on September 10, 2024. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  5. ^ "Carnegie Mellon to Join Centennial as Associate Football Member" (Press release). Centennial Conference. September 9, 2024. Archived from the original on September 9, 2024. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  6. ^ "ODAC to Sponsor Men's Wrestling" (Press release). Washington and Liberty University Athletics. August 31, 2022. Archived from the original on September 21, 2022. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  7. ^ "Carnegie Mellon to Join Centennial as Associate Football Member" (Press release). Centennial Conference. September 9, 2024. Archived from the original on September 9, 2024. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  8. ^ "Meet the Class: Text Version | Bryn Mawr College".
  9. ^ "With a Record Number of Applications, Dickinson Focuses on Selectivity".
  10. ^ "Franklin & Marshall – F&M First-Year Facts".
  11. ^ "Facts and figures - Gettysburg.edu".
  12. ^ "The Class of 2027".
  13. ^ "Johns Hopkins invites 1,586 to join the class of 2026". 18 March 2022.
  14. ^ "Admissions Statistics for the Class of 2024".
  15. ^ "Class Profile".
  16. ^ "Swarthmore Begins Classes, Welcomes Class of 2025". 26 August 2021.
  17. ^ "WC's sudden jump in acceptance rate has no bearing on quality of education – the Elm".
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