Ten of Mount Holyoke's teams participate in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC). The NEWMAC is an association of ten selective academic institutions that are committed to providing high quality competitive athletic opportunities for student-athletes within an educational and respectful environment that embodies the NCAA Division III philosophy. Other members of the league are Babson College, Clark University, the Coast Guard Guard Academy, MIT, Smith College, Springfield College, Wellesley College, Wheaton College, and WPI. For more information about the NEWMAC, please visit http://www.newmacsports.com/.

Emphasis on academic excellence has always been a defining criterion for membership. A similarity in athletic philosophy and sponsored sports was also considered. This philosophy, along with the inclusion of men's programs, is the basis for which the expanded conference has been formed. The NEWMAC promotes good sportsmanship by student-athletes, coaches and spectators.

The NEWMAC sponsors competition for women and men in the sports of cross-country, soccer, basketball, tennis, lacrosse, swimming and diving and track and field. Additional sports for women are field hockey, volleyball, crew and softball, while men compete in baseball and golf.

Conference Core Values

• Excellence - Place the greatest emphasis on our academic missions followed by high quality competitive experiences.
• Integrity - Act with mutual trust and respect for all and place emphasis on sportsmanship and ethical conduct.
• Commitment - Support each other and the conference through collaboration and sharing ideas and institutional perspectives.
• Equity - Ensure fair and equitable competition and programs.
• Diversity - Celebrate and promote difference and varying perspectives.

Conference History

The NEW 8 began play in 1985-86 as the New England Women’s 6. Charter members were Babson College, Brandeis University, MIT, Smith College, Wellesley College and Wheaton College. Mount Holyoke College and WPI were accepted as new members in 1988 and the name was changed to the NEW 8 Conference. At the conclusion of the 1994-95 academic year, Brandeis University withdrew from the conference and Clark University was accepted to keep the membership at eight institutions.

In the spring of 1998, the New England Women’s 8 Conference voted to expand its membership to include Springfield College and the United States Coast Guard Academy. The conference also voted to change its name to the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference and to begin sponsoring conference play and championships for men in addition to its sponsorship for women. With the addition of Springfield College and the Coast Guard Academy, the number of competing women’s programs is ten and for the men’s programs seven.

Conference Timeline