Springfield and Western New England play an annual non-conference game for the Pynchon SAW trophy, and as members of the NEWMAC and Commonwealth Coast Conference, respectively, would have no problem seeing that game continue. Springfield athletics photo

Commissioner of the Commonwealth Coast Conference Patrick Colbert and Executive Director of the NEWMAC Patrick B. Summers are pleased to announce a football alliance between the two leagues, which includes a future scheduling initiative and a postseason bowl game.

The scheduling initiative, starting as early as 2025, secures non-conference opponents for both leagues, guaranteeing each institution at least one non-conference opponent per season.

The postseason bowl game -- with name and sponsorship to be determined -- will begin during the 2024 season and feature the first available team from each league, pending NCAA automatic qualifiers and at-large selections. Host sites will be determined by the conferences.

“Today is an important day for our conference and football in our region as this partnership emphasizes collaboration towards a common goal of providing guaranteed, high-quality regional non-conference opportunities coupled with a bowl game experience,” Colbert said. “Our membership immediately saw the value in this partnership, and I look forward to working with Executive Director Summers and his staff on continuing to collectively elevate our brands of football.”

The NEWMAC and CCC have been participating in the New England Bowl Series, whose future is in doubt with the dissolution of the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference coming after the 2024 season.

Currently, the CCC includes six football institutions: Curry, Endicott, Husson, Nichols, University of New England and Western New England. Maine Maritime and New England College will restart football and join the conference as associate members for football in 2025, bringing the total to eight members by the time the scheduling agreement starts.

The NEWMAC has eight football members in Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, MIT, Norwich, Salve Regina, Springfield, SUNY Maritime and WPI.

“The NEWMAC-CCC Alliance focuses on stabilizing Division III football in New England and providing a postseason opportunity for our programs and student-athletes. The alliance also guarantees a non-conference schedule within the New England footprint to all NEWMAC and CCC members in a time where it is increasingly more difficult to get non-conference games,” said Summers. “We are excited to begin this partnership with the CCC. I'd like to thank CCC Commissioner Patrick Colbert for his forward thinking and willingness to collaborate with the NEWMAC.”