The Centennial Conference is an NCAA Division III conference, consisting of 10 member institutions located in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey. By competing in the Centennial Conference, these schools are able to help their student-athletes achieve the highest standards of athletics and academics. The Centennial Conference is one of the most successful athletic conferences in the NCAA Division III.

History

The Centennial Conference was founded in 1987, by eleven private liberal arts colleges. The founding members were Franklin & Marshall College, Gettysburg College, Johns Hopkins University, Haverford College, Swarthmore College, Muhlenberg College, Ursinus College, Dickinson College, McDaniel College (formerly Western Maryland College), Washington College (MD), and Bryn Mawr College. Dickinson College left the conference after the 1996-1997 season. Moravian College joined the Centennial Conference in the 2000-2001 season, replacing Dickinson.

Member Institutions

The current members of the Centennial Conference are:

• Franklin & Marshall College
• Gettysburg College
• Johns Hopkins University
• Haverford College
• Swarthmore College
• Moravian College
• Muhlenberg College
• Ursinus College
• McDaniel College (formerly Western Maryland College)
• Washington College (MD)
• Bryn Mawr College

Sports

The Centennial Conference is made up of ten schools that compete in the following sports:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Field Hockey
• Football
• Golf
• Lacrosse
• Soccer
• Softball
• Swimming & Diving
• Tennis
• Track & Field
• Volleyball
• Wrestling

Notable Achievements

The Centennial Conference has a long history of excellence in intercollegiate athletics. The conference has produced a number of national champions and All-Americans in all sports. In recent years, Franklin & Marshall College has won national titles in men’s lacrosse (2006) and women’s volleyball (2006). Johns Hopkins University won the NCAA Division III men’s lacrosse title in 2007. Muhlenberg College won the Division III men’s basketball title in 2010, and Ursinus College won the women’s soccer title in 2012.

Rivalries

Within the conference, there are several high-profile rivalries that highlight the competition. The Franklin & Marshall-Gettysburg football rivalry is one of the oldest rivalries in the country, dating back to their first meeting in 1895. The Johns Hopkins-Lafayette College lacrosse rivalry is one of the most celebrated in Division III. The Swarthmore-Haverford rivalry, known as the H-F-S Showdown, is a long-standing tradition for the two schools, especially in basketball.

Conference Operations

The Centennial Conference is managed by the Conference Council, which is composed of the athletic directors from each of the ten schools. The Conference Council is responsible for making decisions about scheduling, tournament formats, eligibility, and other operational matters. The Conference Council meets several times throughout the year to discuss conference-wide issues. The Council also appoints a Commissioner of the Conference to oversee the day-to-day operations of the conference.

Championships

The Centennial Conference tournament is held each year in the spring. The tournament includes regular-season champions in each sport, as well as wild-card qualifiers, based on overall conference standings. The tournament culminates with the Centennial Conference Championship, in which the champions of each sport compete against each other for the title of overall conference champion. The conference also awards several individual and team awards each year, including the James R. McAfee Award, awarded to the conference’s highest academic and athletic achiever.

Role of the Conference

The Centennial Conference is committed to providing a quality athletics experience for its student-athletes. In line with the NCAA Division III philosophy, the Centennial Conference emphasizes the importance of academics over athletics. It works to maintain competitive balance among its members, while also supporting each school’s individual identity and mission. The conference sponsors several outreach programs to promote the growth of athletics at the Division III level, as well as to encourage participation in athletics at all levels.

Impact on the Sports Scene

The Centennial Conference has had a lasting influence on college sports across the country. Several of its members have competed on the national stage, with some of the schools producing several All-Americans, national champions, and Olympians. The conference has championed academic and athletic excellence, setting the standard for Division III athletics. It has also become a model for other conferences in terms of scheduling, tournament formats, and other operational matters.

Future Prospects

In recent years, the Centennial Conference has seen growing success in both athletics and academics. The conference has also seen an increase in national recognition, with several of its schools receiving votes in the top 25 national rankings. It is likely that in the future, the Centennial Conference will experience similar trends, as its student-athletes and coaches continue to exceed expectations and compete at the highest level.

Conclusion

The Centennial Conference is one of the most successful Division III conferences in the country. It is a leader in promoting the highest levels of athletics and academics, and has produced some of the top student-athletes in the country. As the conference continues to grow and evolve, it is sure to remain an influential force in college sports for years to come.