Le Moyne College Completes Accelerated Reclassification to Full NCAA Division I Status

The NCAA Division I cabinet has accepted the recommendation from the NCAA Membership Committee to approve Le Moyne College for full NCAA Division I membership. Le Moyne now has access to DI membership benefits and all 22 varsity teams are fully eligible for NCAA championships starting this fall.

Initially on a four-year reclassification track after transitioning to the Division I level on July 1, 2023, Le Moyne accelerated the process by one year following updated NCAA legislation passed in January 2025. Under the new guidelines adopted by the Division I Council, reclassifying institutions can now complete the reclassification process in three years, provided they meet updated academic, financial and operational benchmarks. Le Moyne notified the NCAA in July 2025 of its intent to accelerate its transition to full membership in the NCAA Division I.

“I’m extremely proud of everyone who contributed to our three-year journey to fully attain DI status,” said President Linda LeMura. “This was an effort that involved many constituencies, including student-athletes, coaches, faculty, staff and trustees. Through their contributions and hard work, we are now poised to compete at the highest level of collegiate athletics and I am so excited for the future success of Le Moyne Athletics.”

“Achieving full NCAA Division I membership is a monumental milestone for Le Moyne College and it is officially time to celebrate the incredible dedication to the reclassification process of our student-athletes, coaches and the entire Dolphin community,” said Assistant Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics and Campus Recreation Phil Brown. “We are filled with immense gratitude for our leadership, faculty, alumni and fans whose unwavering support over the last three years made this transition possible. This moment is a testament to our rich athletic tradition and a thrilling launchpad for our future on the national stage.”

Le Moyne successfully satisfied all additional requirements of the accelerated reclassification process. Academically, institutions must be above the 10th percentile of DI members in the Academic Progress Rate (APR), graduation success rate, or the difference between the federal graduation rates for student-athletes and for the general student body. Reclassifying schools also must meet new financial aid requirements, such as a scholarship offering that exceeds the 10th percentile of active DI members, participate in an NCAA compliance review, an academic review, satisfy all DI core guarantees and attestation requirements and complete an NCAA self-study program.

During its first three years as a member of the NEC and competing at the DI level, the Dolphins have made a total of 50 postseason appearances, including 18 during the 2025-26 academic year. Five programs have posted postseason victories, including women’s basketball each year, while the swimming and diving and indoor and outdoor track and field programs have combined for 28 individual medals, including 17 this past year. The men’s and women’s lacrosse programs have claimed a share of the NEC regular season title and the top seed in the NEC Championship in 2025 and 2026, respectively. Academically, the department has extended its streak of consecutive semesters with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher to 46 and turned in a 3.393 GPA for the 2024-25 academic year.

Six institutions (five from DII and one from DIII) completed the accelerated transition process in its first year in 2025, while Le Moyne is the only institution in the nation in its transition “class.”

Le Moyne’s first matchup of the 2026-27 season as an official full member of NCAA DI athletics is women’s soccer at Canisius University on Thursday, Aug. 13, while the first regular-season home contest is women’s soccer against Iona University on Sunday, Aug. 16.