Skyline Conference

Skyline Conference
Association	NCAA
Founded	1989
Commissioner	Melissa Reiley
Sports fielded	17 men's: 9; women's: 8; ;
Division	Division III
No. of teams	12
Headquarters	New York, New York
Region	New York
Official website	skylineconference.org
Locations

The Skyline Conference is an intercollegiate athletic conference based in the New York City area that competes in the NCAA's Division III.

The league was originally chartered on May 16, 1989, as a men's basketball conference and now sponsors 17 sports (nine for men and 8 for women). The Skyline Conference sponsors baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's swimming and diving, men's and women's tennis, and men's and women's volleyball.

Primarily comprising schools from the New York metropolitan area, the Skyline Conference currently has 11 full-time member schools, as well as two part-time members that compete in men's volleyball only.

Prior to the 2007–08 academic year, the league introduced the Skyline Presidents Cup. St. Joseph's (LI) won the first three Presidents Cups (2007–10), followed by Farmingdale State winning in 2010–11. St. Joseph's (LI) collected its fourth Presidents Cup in 2011–12, with Farmingdale State regaining the title in both 2012–13 and 2013–14.

History

Skyline Conference

30km
19miles

Mount Saint Mary

Merchant Marine

SUNY Maritime

Old Westbury

Yeshiva

St. Joe's Bkn

Sarah Lawrence

Manhattanville

St. Joe's LI

Purchase

Farmingdale State

Mt. St. Vincent

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Locations of Skyline Conference members

full

Recent events

In May 2018, Manhattanville College announced that they would leave the MAC Freedom Conference and return to the Skyline for the 2019–20 academic year. Manhattanville was a charter member of the Skyline before leaving to join the MAC in 2007.^[1]

On April 22, 2025, New Jersey City University (NJCU) announced that it would leave the Skyline as an affiliate member for men's volleyball to join the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) for that sport after the 2025 spring season of the 2024–25 academic year (who would later join for all sports, beginning 2027–28).^[2]

Chronological history

1989 – On May 16, 1989, the Skyline Conference was founded. Charter members included Manhattanville College, the College of Mount Saint Vincent, the State University of New York at Old Westbury, the State University of New York at Stony Brook and the United States Merchant Marine Academy (Merchant Marine), beginning the 1989–90 academic year.
1993 – Mount Saint Mary College joined the Skyline in the 1993–94 academic year.
1994 – Stony Brook left the Skyline to join the Division II ranks of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as an NCAA D-II Independent after the 1993–94 academic year.
1996 – The State University of New York Maritime College joined the Skyline in the 1996–97 academic year.
1998 – Yeshiva University joined the Skyline in the 1998–99 academic year.
1999 – St. Joseph's College of New York at Long Island (now St. Joseph's University of New York at Long Island) joined the Skyline in the 1999–2000 academic year.
2000 – Stevens Institute of Technology joined the Skyline in the 2000–01 academic year.
2003 – Centenary College of New Jersey (now Centenary University) and the State University of New York of Farmingdale (also known as Farmingdale State College) joined the Skyline in the 2003–04 academic year.
2005 – Three institutions joined the Skyline as affiliate members, all effective in the 2006 spring season (2005–06 academic year):
- Kean University and Montclair State University for men's and women's lacrosse
- and Stockton University for men's lacrosse
2007:
- Four institutions had left the Skyline to join their respective new home primary conferences, all effective after the 2006–07 academic year:
  - Centenary (N.J.) to the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC; later the Colonial States Athletic Conference or CSAC)
  - Manhattanville and Stevens to the MAC Freedom Conference
  - and U.S. Merchant Marine to the Landmark Conference
- Bard College, Polytechnic Institute of New York (later the Polytechnic Institute of New York University, or NYU Poly), the State University of New York at Purchase and The Sage Colleges (women's college Russell Sage College and the co-ed Sage College of Albany) joined the Skyline in the 2007–08 academic year.
- Ramapo College joined the Skyline as an affiliate member for women's lacrosse in the 2007 spring season (2006–07 academic year).
2011:
- Bard left the Skyline to join the Liberty League after the 2010–11 academic year.
- New Jersey City University (NJCU) joined the Skyline as an affiliate member for men's volleyball (with Kean and Ramapo adding for that sport), all effective in the 2012 spring season (2011–12 academic year):
2013 – Kean, Montclair State and Ramapo left the Skyline as affiliate members for women's lacrosse in the 2013 spring season (2012–13 academic year).
2014:
- NYU Poly left the Skyline to discontinue its athletics program as it was merged into New York University after the 2013–14 academic year.
- Sarah Lawrence College joined the Skyline in the 2014–15 academic year.
2015 – St. Joseph's College of New York at Brooklyn (now St. Joseph's University of New York at Brooklyn) joined the Skyline in the 2015–16 academic year.
2016 – U.S. Merchant Marine rejoined the Skyline in the 2016–17 academic year.
2017:
- The Sage Colleges (Russell Sage and Sage [or SCA]) left the Skyline to join the Empire 8 after the 2016–17 academic year.
- Five institutions left the Skyline as affiliate members, all effective after the 2017 spring season (2016–17 academic year):
  - Kean for men's and women's lacrosse and men's volleyball
  - Montclair State for men's and women's lacrosse
  - New Jersey City (NJCU) for men's volleyball
  - Stockton for men's lacrosse
  - and Ramapo for women's lacrosse
2019:
- Manhattanville rejoined the Skyline in the 2019–20 academic year.
- New Jersey City (NJCU) and Ramapo rejoined the Skyline as affiliate members for men's volleyball in the 2020 spring season (2019–20 academic year).
2025 – New Jersey City (NJCU) left the Skyline as an affiliate member for men's volleyball to join the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) after the 2025 spring season (2024–25 academic year).

Member schools

Current members

The Skyline currently has 12 full members, all but five are private schools:

Institution	Location	Founded	Affiliation	Enrollment	Nickname	Joined^[a]
University of Mount Saint Vincent	Riverdale, New York	1847	Catholic (S.C.N.Y.)	1,918	Dolphins	1989
Farmingdale State College^[b]	East Farmingdale, New York	1912	Public^[c]	8,162	Rams	2003
Manhattanville University	Purchase, New York	1841	Nonsectarian	2,700	Valiants	1989; 2019^[d]
Mount Saint Mary College	Newburgh, New York	1960	Catholic	2,556	Knights	1994
Purchase College^[e]	Purchase, New York	1967	Public^[c]	4,379	Panthers	2007
Sarah Lawrence College	Yonkers, New York	1926	Nonsectarian	1,782	Gryphons	2014
St. Joseph's University (N.Y.)–Brooklyn	Brooklyn, New York	1916	Catholic (C.S.J.)	1,261	Bears	2015
St. Joseph's University (N.Y.)–Long Island	Patchogue, New York	1971	Catholic (C.S.J.)	3,893	Golden Eagles	1999
Maritime College^[f]	Throggs Neck, New York	1874	Public^[c]	1,755	Privateers	1996
SUNY Old Westbury^[g]	Old Westbury, New York	1965	Public^[c]	4,364	Panthers	1989
United States Merchant Marine Academy	Kings Point, New York	1942	Federal	910	Mariners	1989; 2016^[h]
Yeshiva University	New York, New York	1886	Orthodox	6,744	Maccabees	1998

Notes

^ Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
^ Also known as the State University of New York at Farmingdale.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Part of the State University of New York System.
^ Manhattanville had been a charter member in 1989, but left the Skyline after the 2006–07 school year to join the MAC Freedom Conference, before rejoining in 2019–20.
^ Also known as the State University of New York at Purchase.
^ Also known as the State University of New York Maritime College.
^ Also known as the State University of New York at Old Westbury.
^ Merchant Marine had been a charter member in 1989, but left the Skyline after the 2006–07 school year to join the Landmark Conference, before rejoining in 2016–17.

Affiliate members

The Skyline currently has one affiliate member, a public school.

Institution	Location	Founded	Affiliation	Enrollment	Nickname	Joined^[a]	Skyline sport(s)	Primary conference
Ramapo College^[b]^[c]	Mahwah, New Jersey	1969	Public	5,233	Roadrunners	2019^[b]	Men's volleyball	New Jersey (NJAC)

Notes

^ Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
^ ^a ^b Both New Jersey City and Ramapo had previously competed as affiliate members of the Skyline for men's volleyball from the 2012 to 2017 spring seasons (2011–12 to 2016–17 school years).^[3]
^ Ramapo competed in the Skyline as an affiliate member for women's lacrosse from the 2008 to 2013 spring seasons (2007–08 to 2012–13 school years).

Former members

The Skyline had seven former full members, all but one were private schools:

Institution	Location	Founded	Affiliation	Enrollment	Nickname	Joined^[a]	Left^[b]	Current conference
Bard College	Annandale-on-Hudson, New York	1860	Episcopal	1.958	Raptors	2007	2011	Liberty (LL)
Centenary University	Hackettstown, New Jersey	1867	United Methodist	1,597	Cyclones	2003	2007	Atlantic East (AEC)
Polytechnic Institute of New York University	Brooklyn, New York	1854	Nonsectarian	N/A	Fighting Jays	2007	2014	N/A^[c]
The Sage Colleges Sage College of Albany (coed) Russell Sage College (women's)	Albany and Troy, New York	1916	Nonsectarian	2,389	Gators	2007	2018	Empire 8 (E8)^[d]
Stevens Institute of Technology	Hoboken, New Jersey	1870	Nonsectarian	5,260	Ducks	2000	2007	MAC Freedom
Stony Brook University^[e]	Stony Brook, New York	1957	Public^[f]	26,814	Patriots^[g]	1989	1994	Coastal (CAA)^[h]

Notes

^ Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
^ Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition ends.
^ NYU Poly was merged into New York University in 2014.
^ The Sage Colleges have merged into one, and used the name Russell Sage College since 2020.
^ Also known as the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
^ Part of the State University of New York System.
^ Stony Brook adopted its current nickname of Seawolves, beginning the 1994–95 school year; immediately following the school's departure from the Skyline Conference.
^ Currently an NCAA Division I athletic conference.

Former affiliate members

The Skyline currently has five affiliate members, all were public schools.

Institution	Location	Founded	Affiliation	Enrollment	Nickname	Joined^[a]	Left^[b]	Skyline sport(s)	Primary conference
Kean University	Union, New Jersey	1855	Public	14,404	Cougars	2006	2017	Men's lacrosse	New Jersey (NJAC)
						2005	2013	Women's lacrosse
						2011	2017	Men's volleyball
Montclair State University	Montclair, New Jersey	1908	Public	19,464	Red Hawks	2006	2017	Men's lacrosse	New Jersey (NJAC)
Montclair State University	Montclair, New Jersey	1908	Public	19,464	Red Hawks	2005	2013	Women's lacrosse	New Jersey (NJAC)
New Jersey City University^[c]	Jersey City, New Jersey	1929	Public	8,443	Gothic Knights	2011	2017	Men's volleyball	New Jersey (NJAC)
New Jersey City University^[c]	Jersey City, New Jersey	1929	Public	8,443	Gothic Knights	2019	2025	Men's volleyball	New Jersey (NJAC)
Ramapo College^[d]	Mahwah, New Jersey	1969	Public	5,233	Roadrunners	2007	2013	Women's lacrosse	New Jersey (NJAC)
Stockton University	Pomona, New Jersey	1969	Public	8,458	Ospreys	2006	2017	Men's lacrosse	New Jersey (NJAC)

Notes

^ Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
^ Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition end.
^ Both New Jersey City and Ramapo had previously competed as affiliate members of the Skyline for men's volleyball from the 2012 to 2017 spring seasons (2011–12 to 2016–17 school years).^[3]
^ Ramapo remains in the Skyline as an affiliate member for men's volleyball.

Membership timeline

Full member (all sports) Full member (non-football) Associate member (football) Associate member (sport) Other conference 1

Summary

Stony Brook left while reclassifying to Division I and the America East Conference (AmEast).
NYU Poly became affiliated with New York University in 2008, but retained a separate athletic program until it completely merged into NYU in 2014. NYU competes in the University Athletic Association (UAA).
The Kean and Ramapo men's volleyball programs left in 2017 for the Continental Volleyball Conference (CVC). Kean remains a men's lacrosse affiliate, and Ramapo returned men's volleyball to the Skyline in 2019.
New Jersey City men's volleyball left in 2017 for independent status, but returned to the Skyline in 2019. NJCU will leave the Skyline in 2025 to become a men's volleyball affiliate of the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC), which it will fully join in 2027.
The Sage Colleges left in 2017 for the Empire 8. They merged in 2020 and kept the Russell Sage College name.

Sports

A divisional format is used for baseball, basketball (M / W), softball, and volleyball (W).
Black St. Joseph's–Brooklyn St. Joseph's–Long Island SUNY Farmingdale SUNY Maritime SUNY Old Westbury U.S. Merchant Marine	Gold Manhattanville Mount Saint Mary Mount Saint Vincent Sarah Lawrence SUNY Purchase Yeshiva

The Skyline sponsors intercollegiate athletic competition in the following sports:

**Conference sports**
Sport	Men's	Women's
Baseball	Yes	No
Basketball	Yes	Yes
Cross Country	Yes	Yes
Golf	Yes	No
Lacrosse	Yes	Yes
Soccer	Yes	Yes
Softball	No	Yes
Swimming & Diving	Yes	Yes
Tennis	Yes	Yes
Track and field	Yes	Yes
Volleyball	Yes	Yes

References

^ "Manhattanville to Join Skyline Conference in 2019-20 Academic Year". Skyline Conference. Skyline Conference. May 9, 2018. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
^ "New Jersey City University First to Join CUNYAC Institutions in Forming New and Expanded Division III Conference in 2027" (Press release). City University of New York Athletic Conference. April 16, 2025. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
^ ^a ^b "NJCU, Ramapo to Join as #SkylineMVB Affiliate Members in 2020 Campaign" (Press release). Skyline Conference. April 29, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2019.

External links

Official website

[3] Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.

[4] Also known as the State University of New York at Farmingdale.

[SUNY-5] Part of the State University of New York System.

[6] Manhattanville had been a charter member in 1989, but left the Skyline after the 2006–07 school year to join the MAC Freedom Conference, before rejoining in 2019–20.

[7] Also known as the State University of New York at Purchase.

[8] Also known as the State University of New York Maritime College.

[9] Also known as the State University of New York at Old Westbury.

[10] Merchant Marine had been a charter member in 1989, but left the Skyline after the 2006–07 school year to join the Landmark Conference, before rejoining in 2016–17.

[11] Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.

[mvb-13] Both New Jersey City and Ramapo had previously competed as affiliate members of the Skyline for men's volleyball from the 2012 to 2017 spring seasons (2011–12 to 2016–17 school years).^[3]

[14] Ramapo competed in the Skyline as an affiliate member for women's lacrosse from the 2008 to 2013 spring seasons (2007–08 to 2012–13 school years).

[15] Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.

[16] Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition ends.

[17] NYU Poly was merged into New York University in 2014.

[18] The Sage Colleges have merged into one, and used the name Russell Sage College since 2020.

[19] Also known as the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

[SUNY-20] Part of the State University of New York System.

[21] Stony Brook adopted its current nickname of Seawolves, beginning the 1994–95 school year; immediately following the school's departure from the Skyline Conference.

[D1-22] Currently an NCAA Division I athletic conference.

[23] Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.

[24] Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition end.

[mvb-25] Both New Jersey City and Ramapo had previously competed as affiliate members of the Skyline for men's volleyball from the 2012 to 2017 spring seasons (2011–12 to 2016–17 school years).^[3]

[26] Ramapo remains in the Skyline as an affiliate member for men's volleyball.

[1] "Manhattanville to Join Skyline Conference in 2019-20 Academic Year". Skyline Conference. Skyline Conference. May 9, 2018. Retrieved May 11, 2018.

[2] "New Jersey City University First to Join CUNYAC Institutions in Forming New and Expanded Division III Conference in 2027" (Press release). City University of New York Athletic Conference. April 16, 2025. Retrieved April 22, 2025.

[NJCUR-12] "NJCU, Ramapo to Join as #SkylineMVB Affiliate Members in 2020 Campaign" (Press release). Skyline Conference. April 29, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2019.

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Skyline Conference
Full members	Farmingdale State Rams Manhattanville Valiants Merchant Marine Mariners Mount Saint Mary Knights Mount Saint Vincent Dolphins Sarah Lawrence Gryphons St. Joseph's Bears St. Joseph's Golden Eagles SUNY Purchase Panthers SUNY Maritime Privateers SUNY Old Westbury Panthers Yeshiva Maccabees
Affiliate members	Kean Cougars¹ Montclair State Red Hawks¹ Stockton Ospreys¹ New Jersey City Gothic Knights² Ramapo Roadrunners²
Former members	Bard Raptors (2007–2011) Centenary Cyclones (2003–2007) NYU Poly Fighting Jays (2007–2014) The Sage Colleges Gators (2007–2018) Stevens Ducks (2000–2007) Stony Brook Patriots (1989–1994)
¹(men's lacrosse) ²(men's volleyball)