The Little East Conference (LEC) is a Division III collegiate athletic conference established in 1986. Currently, eight universities from the northeastern United States make up the LEC. One of the smaller Division III conferences, the LEC offers the opportunity for students to develop their athletic skills and compete against opponents of similar athletic ability.

History of the Little East Conference

With seven founding members, the Little East Conference began during the 1986-87 school year. The founding schools, which included the Universities of Eastern Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts-Dartmouth, and Southern Maine, were later joined by Keene State College, the University of Massachusetts-Boston, and Western Connecticut. While the conference has stayed relatively small, the membership of the LEC has undergone several changes over the years. The most recent additions to the conference are Castleton University and Plymouth State University, which joined the LEC in 2017.

Member Institutions and Sports Teams

The eight member institutions of the Little East Conference are:

• Eastern Connecticut State University
• University of Massachusetts-Boston
• University of Rhode Island
• University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
• Keene State College
• University of Southern Maine
• Western Connecticut State University
• Castleton University
• Plymouth State University

The LEC sponsors championships for twenty-two different sports. Among them, the most popular are football, baseball, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, and softball. These sports are divided into two separate divisions, the Northern Division and the Southern Division, which helps to create more balanced competition. In addition, all sports teams adhere to the strength-of-schedule rule when scheduling opponents.

Notable Achievements

The teams of the Little East Conference have enjoyed a great deal of success over the years. For example, in 2017, the Eastern Connecticut State University’s softball team won the NCAA Division III National Championship. The conference has also seen several individual athletes given awards and honors. In 2017, the Little East Conference had twenty-five Athletes of the Year and six All-Americans.

The schools of the Little East Conference also benefit from strong rivalries amongst each other. Some of the most notable rivalries include the Eastern Connecticut vs. Eastern Massachusetts rivalry and the Little East Conference’s “Triple Crown” and “Foursome” rivalries. The Triple Crown matches up teams from the Southern Division, while the Foursome matches up teams from both the Northern and Southern Divisions.

How the Conference Operates

The Little East Conference operates similarly to other collegiate conferences, with each member school having a representative on the conference’s Board of Directors. This board is responsible for overseeing all of the conference’s operations, such as conducting championship events, setting schedules, and maintaining officiating standards.

The conference also operates according to several rules and regulations. For example, all teams must adhere to a strength-of-schedule-rule, which requires them to play opponents of similar athletic ability. In addition, the conference abides by a set of rules governing gender equity, ensuring that female athletes receive the same opportunities as their male counterparts.

Role and Impact of the Conference

The Little East Conference plays an important role in the college sports landscape. Each member school is able to develop their athletes more efficiently by competing against teams of similar athletic ability. This helps the athletes reach their full potential and makes them more competitive against larger schools.

The LEC also has a significant impact on the local and national sports scene. The conference’s teams are a vital part of their respective towns, providing entertainment and civic pride. On a national level, the LEC’s performances provide a blueprint for other small Division III schools on how to achieve success.

Looking to the Future

The Little East Conference will continue to be a source of strong competition and growth for its member schools in the years to come. Recent trends indicate that the conference is expanding its profile and becoming more well-known on the national stage. The LEC’s teams have become increasingly competitive, and the contributions of its athletes have been felt far and wide. With strong member schools and a bright future, the Little East Conference looks to remain a leader in Division III athletics for many years to come.