The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Council of Presidents and Commissioner Angela Baumann are excited to announce that Vermont State University Castleton will be joining the MASCAC as a core member effective in the 2027-28 academic year. The Spartans will compete in all 20 championship sports the MASCAC offers. 

Castleton joins the eight Massachusetts state universities of Bridgewater State University, Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, MCLA, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Salem State University, Westfield State University and Worcester State University as the competing core member institutions in the MASCAC. The MASCAC currently sponsors 20 championships. 

“We are pleased to welcome Vermont State University Castleton as a core member to the MASCAC,” Commissioner Baumann said. “As a like-public institution with strong geographic alignment and a sports sponsorship profile that perfectly matches our conference offerings, Castleton is a natural fit for the conference and strengthens our shared commitment to regional Division III athletics. Their tradition of competitive excellence, student-athlete success, and institutional values aligns well with the mission of the MASCAC, and we are excited about the opportunities this addition creates for our student-athletes, campuses, and communities across the region.”

The Spartans athletics department offers 26 intercollegiate sports, including alpine skiing, baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, football, men’s golf, men’s and women’s ice hockey, men’s and women’s lacrosse, women’s rugby, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s track and field, women’s volleyball and men’s wrestling.

"We’re excited to join the MASCAC and for what this opportunity means for our student‑athletes on the VTSU Castleton Campus," said Vermont State University President Dave Bergh. "This conference move will centralize competition, enhance the student‑athlete experience, and support student success both on the field and in the classroom. We look forward to the additional opportunities this affiliation will create for our Castleton-based students, community, and athletics program in the years ahead.” 

Vermont State University, Vermont’s statewide public university, provides transformative, future‑ready education that empowers learners to forge their own path – professionally, personally, and within their communities. Rooted in Vermont values, Vermont State delivers hands‑on, career‑connected learning through in‑person, fully online, and blended programs built for real lives and real goals.

Vermont State University Castleton fosters a close‑knit community of approximately 1,600 graduate and undergraduate students in Southern Vermont. With 26 varsity athletic programs, Castleton’s student‑athletes embody Vermont State’s spirit and commitment to integrity, leadership, academic achievement, and community service.

What people are saying
Dr. Linda Thompson, president of Westfield State University and a member of the NCAA Division III President’s Advisory Group, welcomed Vermont State University Castleton to the MASCAC, calling the university “an exceptional addition” to the conference. “Castleton strengthens the MASCAC both academically and athletically,” Thompson said. “The university’s strong commitment to student success, broad mix of professional and liberal arts programs, and vibrant athletic tradition makes it an ideal fit for the conference. Castleton has already established itself as a respected and competitive presence among MASCAC institutions, and we look forward to their participation.”

“I would like to thank the MASCAC for inviting Castleton into the conference under full membership status,” said Director of Athletics Tim Barrett. “This is a natural fit for us. Our geographic footprint, status as a state institution, and broad sports sponsorship align perfectly with the MASCAC. Just as importantly, our new affiliation brings our programs under one conference umbrella.”